Summer is here for the "Wide Boys"

[daro911]

New Porsche 4S Cab arrives
Monday 4th July
Wide-body 4WD open-top 911 variant hits the road



Porsche is repeating the mix and match approach it took with the 996 as it launches two new four-wheel drive 911 (997) Cabriolet models. The new 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolets will be on sale in the UK from 22 October 2005.

The Carrera 4 Cabriolet is powered by the familiar 3.6-litre, 325bhp six-cylinder boxer engine. The cabriolet all-wheel drive sports car accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 175mph. The 4S is gets the bigger 3.8-litre mill with 355bhp, bringing up 62 mph in 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 180mph.

As with the coupé version of the Carrera 4, the all-wheel drive uses a viscous multi-plate clutch, to deliver between five and 40 per cent of the driving power to the road via the front wheels.

The bodyshell of the new models is 44 millimetres wider than the rear-wheel drive 911 Cabriolet and is stiffer as a result. The push-button-operated fabric top opens and closes automatically in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. At 42Kg, the convertible top weighs half as much as a comparable metal folding roof, providing a lower centre of gravity for better dynamics.

The anti-roll-over system of the new Cabriolet models consists of high-strength steel tubes in both A-pillars, and two automatically extending bars behind the rear seats. Two head airbags complement the passive safety system. These are located in the door panel in the form of flat cushions that inflate upwards in the event of a lateral collision. This means that they provide a unique form of protection for the head, according to Porsche, even with the roof lowered. Two chest airbags in the armrests and two front airbags complete the passenger protection system.

For better active safety, Porsche said the standard Porsche Stability Management system (PSM) has two new functions. It pre-fills the brake mechanism for more spontaneous deceleration if required, and the hydraulic brake power support, which works like brake assistance, helps to build up full brake pressure in emergencies. Ceramic brakes are optional on both new cars.

The rest of the chassis design is the same as that of the coupé variants. The Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM) fitted as standard in the Carrera 4S, provides a comfortably sporty basic suspension setting when set at normal, but when the sport button is pushed it triggers performance characteristics that are definitely more tightly tuned. In both positions, however, the setting is permanently geared to the appropriate driving style and the nature of the road. The active suspension system is available as an option on the Carrera 4 Cabriolet.

The 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet will be priced at £69,900 and the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet at £76,880.