NEW PORSCHE 911 CARRERA TO DEBUT AT FRANKFURT SHOW
23rd August 2011
- World premiere of new 911 at 2011 IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, September 13 -25
- New generation of benchmark sports car
- Innovative chassis technology raises dynamics
- Lighter, more powerful, less fuel consumption, class-leading emissions
- Carrera costs from £71,449, Carrera S from £81,242
Porsche is proud to present the new 911 Carrera, a completely new generation of the
iconic coupe that has been acclaimed as one of the world’s benchmark sports cars
since its launch in 1963.
Tradition meets modernity
True to the 911 tradition, the distinctive Porsche design language exudes power and
elegance. The unmistakable silhouette still catches the eye while incorporating new,
exciting contours and precisely designed details; a 100mm longer wheelbase for improved
stability and greater interior space; front and rear overhangs are shorter, maintaining
the compact footprint that has been a longstanding 911 attribute; the sporting stance
is emphasised by the lower roof line and a wider front track increases on-road presence
further still while raising the renowned chassis dynamics.
The rear-mounted, flat six cylinder engine is an equally symbolic component of the
911 identity; and behind the rear axle of the new car lies an uprated range of powerful,
efficient and evocative ‘boxer’ engines. The 911 Carrera is powered by a new 3.4-litre
engine developing 350 hp, and the Carrera S features a 400 hp version of the familiar
3.8-litre. These new engines offer performance improvements for both models. The
3.4-litre Carrera with PDK accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.6 sec, 0.1 sec quicker than
the prior model. Pressing the Sport Plus button on the optional Sport Chrono Pack
cuts that to 4.4 sec. The 3.8-litre Carrera S with PDK can accelerate from 0- 62
mph in 4.3 sec (Sport Plus 4.1 sec), 0.2sec quicker than its predecessor.
All-new lightweight body
Principle among the innovative steps forwards is the all-new, lightweight body, featuring
intelligent aluminium-steel composite construction. It is responsible for a significant
proportion of the vehicle weight reduction of up to 45 kg. The body structure also
delivers significantly greater rigidity, and aerodynamic optimisation – including
a wider, variably extending rear spoiler – has reduced the lift generated by the
new 911 Carrera while retaining an impressive overall drag factor.
Innovative chassis technology
That the new 911 offers better acceleration in a straight line goes without saying,
but it also offers top performance at an unprecedented level across the entire dynamic
repertoire. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and
driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, a new
rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering.
Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems
available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics. That is especially true
for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilisation system,
available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. The system reduces body roll when
cornering, with the result that the tyres are always in the optimal position relative
to the road surface and thus able to transmit higher lateral forces. Consequently,
maximum cornering speeds are increased, and even faster lap times on racing circuits
are possible.
Exterior design
The familiar athletic appearance of the 911 is given further dynamism with a 100mm
longer wheelbase, reduced height, and up to 20-inch diameter alloy wheels. At the
same time, the typically compact exterior dimensions have been retained. Seen from
the front, the eye is drawn to the trademark wide-arched wings, emphasising the wider
front track and making the new 911 Carrera models adopt a particularly sporting stance
on the road. The redesigned exterior mirrors are now mounted on the upper edge of
the door and not as before on the mirror triangle. Not only is this aerodynamically
advantageous, it also emphasises the new design line and visual impression of width.
Interior design
To complement the modern exterior, the Porsche designers created an interior style
which takes its cue from that of the Porsche Carrera GT. The driver is now even more
closely integrated with the cockpit thanks to the centre console rising up to the
front with the high-mounted shift lever - or PDK gear selector - located close to
the steering wheel in typical motorsport fashion. Classic Porsche style elements
are also to be found inside, just as they are on the outside. For example, the instrument
cluster with five round instruments, with the central dial naturally the rev counter.
On the right is a new, high resolution multi-function screen, just one of the comfort
features added to meet evolving customer demands.
Porsche Intelligent Performance
Setting the standard in its class, as it has for generations, the new 911 Carrera
and Carrera S raise the performance and efficiency standard to new levels. Fuel consumption
and emissions of all versions are up to 16 per cent lower compared with its predecessors.
Among other things, this is achieved by systems and functions such as auto start/stop,
thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed
manual transmission and – in conjunction with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe
(PDK) – a ‘coasting’ function that decouples the engine for enhanced fuel efficiency
when the throttle is closed.
The new electro-mechanical power steering system offers not only the typical precision
and feedback expected of a Porsche, but also helps to increase efficiency and reduce
fuel consumption. For example, the 911 Carrera with the new 350 hp (257 kW) 3.4-litre
direct injection engine and optional PDK returns 34.4mpg Combined based on the New
European Driving Cycle (NEDC) - 6mpg less than its predecessor. Also, at 194 g/km
CO2, it is the first Porsche sports car to sit below 200 g/km CO2. In the case of
the Carrera S, with its 400 hp 3.8-litre direct injection engine, economy when paired
with the optional PDK is increased by 14 per cent, or 5 mpg, to 32.4mpg Combined
despite 15 hp more power. That equates to CO2 emissions of 205 g/km.
Evidently, it has therefore been possible in the new 911 Carrera to extend yet further
the span of apparently contradictory attributes such as performance and efficiency,
sportiness and everyday usability that has always typified the Porsche 911. It could
be said that the new 911 Carrera is thus more of a 911 than ever.
In the UK from December 2011
The new Porsche 911 Carrera celebrates its world premiere at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt
Motor Show and the new 911 models will be in UK Porsche Centres from December 17
2011.
The 911 Carrera is priced from £71,449 and the 911 Carrera S is priced from £81,242.
Standard equipment on all models is leather interior, sports seats, automatic climate
control, Bi-Xenon headlights, 7-inch colour touch-screen Porsche Communication Management
with satellite navigation, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity,
Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and a three year warranty.
The Carrera S adds 20-inch alloy wheels, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with rear limited slip differential, in addition
to the power advantage of the larger 3.8-litre engine.