Porsche Introduces Convertible 911 For 2008

Anthony Fontanelle
May 8, 2007

The auto industry has always been a dynamic entity with car manufacturers improving their models year after year. One of these car companies dedicated to offering better versions of their current vehicle models is the German brand Porsche.

The company’s flagship for as long as we can remember is the 911, and for the 2008 model year, they will be introducing to the market a soft top version of the iconic model. This comes as no surprise since for the past twenty years, Porsche has been offering convertible versions of their flagship cars. The open top version of the 911 offers good advantages over the coupe. It is a known fact that convertibles have the most striking body style ever used by an automobile. This open top configuration of the Porsche 911 does not negatively affect the performance of the car. Differing on the configuration of the roof, the 911 coupe and the convertible uses the same engine. The engine of both 911 units is a 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. The engine is boosted with twin turbochargers and features the Variable Turbine Geometry which enhances further its fuel efficiency. The powerplant concealed by the 911 Coupe and Cabriolet can produce as much as 480 horsepower. This amount of power complements the lightweight design of the convertible, allowing it to go perform at a high level.

The torque produced by the standard engine can further be enhanced with Porsche’s “Sport Chrono Turbo Package”. With the optional package, the torque produced by the engine will reach 680 Nm. With that much torque, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet exhibits exceptional acceleration. With a manual transmission, the Cabriolet can reach speeds of 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill and the vehicle can accomplish such a feat in just four seconds. That time is shortened to just 3.8 seconds if the Tiptronic S Transmission is used.

The top speed of the cabriolet is rated at 193 miles per hour or 310 kilometers per hour. At that speed, the Cabriolet will need high quality brake components such as EBC rotors to keep the car’s power in check. While the Cabriolet is engineered as a high performance sports car, its fuel efficiency is quite a surprise. With its high power output engine, the cabriolet is rated to have a gas mileage of 21.9 miles per gallon.

While both the coupe and the cabriolet are designed to be lightweight, the cabriolet is 70 kilograms heavier than the coupe version of the 911. The 70 kilograms is the added weight of the reinforcements necessary to reduce vibrations of the car’s body especially on high speed operation.

Another added weight to the cabriolet is the rollover protection installed at the back of the second row of seats of the cabriolet. This variety of protective features makes the 911 one of the safest cabriolets in production today. Its soft top can be opened or closed according to the driver’s preference in just 20 seconds.

In terms of stability, the 911 Cabriolet handles and offers drive comfort just like its coupe counterpart. What gives the cabriolet its good stability is the Porsche Active Suspension Management. The said feature is standard on all trim levels of the Porsche 911 and in every body style. Other features which contribute to the cabriolet’s good performance are the Porsche Stability Management and the Porsche Traction Management. The latter is a feature which adjusts the power sent to the front or rear wheels according to the demand of the road. An onboard computer gives and allows for an instant reaction to the car’s traction needs. This makes the 911 Cabriolet one of the most responsive all-wheel drive system.

Enhancing its performance further is the convertible’s rear spoiler. The integrated spoiler is automatically deployed when the car reaches speed of 75 kilometers per hour or 120 miles per hour. The spoiler creates a negative lift for the rear axle making it the 911 Cabriolet the only convertible with that distinction. All in all, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet is one of the most advanced cars in its segment and come the 2008 model year, this will be one of the most sought after convertibles for performance enthusiasts.

Source:  Amazines.com