All-paw Porsche 911 debuts

PORSCHE'S updated all-paw 911 Carrera 4 range will hit Australian showrooms in the second quarter of next year, bringing price increases of up to $10,200 over the models they replace.

The updated versions of the all-wheel drive 911 command a premium of about $16,000 over their two-wheel drive equivalent, and kick off from $233,900 for the Carrera 4 Coupe with a manual gearbox, representing a $10,000 increase over the outgoing model.

The 4S Coupe adds $8500 for a new $269,000 price tag, while the Targa and the Cabriolet now carry the same pricing – $255,400 for the 4 and $290,500 for the 4S. Targa pricing has risen by as much as $5800 and the Cabriolet is up by between $8000 and $10,200.

Optioning the PDK dual-clutch transmission costs $5950.

New technologies and extra standard gear over the old model are available in the updated 911 Carrera and Targa 4, such as the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with a 10mm lower ride height across the range, while rear-axle steering is an option in the 4S.

The Porsche Communication 7.0-inch infotainment system is also standard, and while all variants have Bluetooth connectivity, the car-maker says that extra tech features such as Google Earth and Google Street View navigation functions won't be available on Australian-spec cars until later in 2017.

Styling changes from standard 911 range carry through to the Carrera and Targa 4, but Porsche says AWD versions also include a unique tail-light theme. The Targa maintains the automatic opening and closing function for the removable roof, and it keeps the wrap-around glass and thick bar instead of B-pillars.

The biggest change for the 911's mid-cycle update is the use of the company's twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine, which in Carrera 4 and Targa 4 guise, produces 272kW/450Nm, while the S pumps out 309kW/500Nm, thanks to modified compressors in the turbochargers, a unique exhaust system and retuned engine management.

These figures represent a 15kW/60Nm boost over the models they replace.

When paired with the PDK dual-clutch transmission and Porsche's Sport Chrono package, the Carrera 4 drops the 0-100km/h sprint time of its predecessor by 0.4 seconds to 4.1s, while the S is 0.3s quicker than the outgoing model at 3.8s.

The Targa 4 and Cabriolet 4S are 0.2s slower than their Carrera equivalents and top speeds range from 287km/h to 305km/h depending on the variant.

The new powertrain brings improvements to fuel economy, with the Carrera 4 Cabriolet PDK dropping by 0.8 litres per 100 kilometres to 7.9L/100km, while the PDK-equipped Carrera S Cabriolet and 911 Targa 4S are down by 1.2L to 8.0L/100km.

Porsche's Sport Chrono system adds modes including Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual, while PKD-equipped variants also have a Sport Response Button that ups the overtaking power for maximum acceleration of up to 20 seconds.

Improvements to the all-wheel drive system have made it more responsive and more sensitive, according to Porsche, thanks to technology it has adopted from the 911 Turbo S.

New shock absorbers are said to increase comfort levels and resist body roll, while the optional rear-axle steering – taken from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3 – helps to increase turn-in agility, the German car-maker said.

The updated 911 made its public debut at last month's Frankfurt motor show and rolls into Australian showrooms this month, ahead of the arrival of the all-wheel drive variants next year.

New Porsche 911 pricing*

Carrera 4 Coupe	$233,900
Carrera 4S Coupe	$269,000
Carrera 4 Cabriolet	$255,400
Carrera 4S Cabriolet	$290,500
Targa 4	$255,400
Targa 4S	$290,500

*Excludes on-road costs