Porsche 911 blows its top
2011-11-23 14:05
ON THE MOVE: The 911 Cabriolet uses magnesium in its roof frame to keep the overall weight down. Image gallery
Porsche’s all-new 911 Coupe’s just been launched in our own back yard but Zuffenhausen’s already moving on to sunnier prospects: the launch of its new 911 Cabriolet with a swanky roof.
The Cabriolet shares its aluminium/steel body with its tin-top sibling although most of its joy is contained in its innovative new roof. And while it retains the classic 911 roofline when raised, the use of magnesium in the roof frame leads to an overall weight reduction and a convertible that is more responsive.
JUST LIKE A COUPE
The 911 Cabriolet also shares its longer wheelbase and new electro-mechanical steering power-assistance with its Coupe sibling and, of course, Porsche’s signature range of rear-mounted boxer engines.
As with the Coupe, the Carrera Cabriolet has a 257kW, 3.4 engine, while the Carrera S uses a 294kW, 3.8 flat-six unit. Each engine is mated to Porsche’s new seven-speed manual transmission although a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission is an option.
The Porsche’s 911 Cabriolet will be launched in 2012.
