Hot Cars

2009 Porsche 911 Carrera Changes Not Just Skin Deep

September 22, 2008 on 6:40 pm | In Uncategorized |

The Porsche 911 has been in production for forty-five years, and it’s durable, distinctive design, originally based on the same air-cooled rear-engine platform as the Volkswagen Beetle (at least through 1998) has been one of its trademark features since the beginning. This car has been in continuous development since 1963, though it was neglected somewhat during the 1970s and ’80s. This year, there’s a new version of the 911, the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera, and while its makers insist the changes are largely cosmetic, we feel the changes are a bit more than skin deep.

There are four versions of this year’s 911: the Carrera coupe, Carrera S coupe, Carrera Cabriolet, and Carrera S Cabriole. Each comes with a new engine featuring direct fuel injection and an optional seven-speed, twin-clutch transmission. The base model will have a 3.6-liter flat-six providing 345 horsepower, and the S model sports a 3.8-liter version of the same engine, offering 385 hp – increases of 20 and 30 horsepower, respectively. As well, fuel efficiency has been boosted by about 13%, to 18 mpg in the city and 25 on the open highway.

The big news about the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera, however, is not the engine, but that optional double clutch transmission, which supplants the Tiptronic transmission used in previous models. The twin-clutch system allows extremely rapid gear shifting and is 0.2 seconds faster when accelerating to 60 mph than the standard six-speed model. In fact, when the double-clutch is combined with another option – the Launch Control system – the top speed of acceleration from zero to sixty is an incredibly speedy 4.1 seconds.

Despite the big news under the hood, the outside of the 2009 911 Carrera doesn’t look significantly changed from previous models to the casual observer, though enthusiasts will notice that the side mirrors now sport dual arms, and the front bumper had larger air intakes. As well, there are now LED daytime running lights, and tail lights.

While those who buy sports cars don’t generally choose them for the safety features, or car insurance quotes, it’s worth noting that the 2009 Porsche 911 Carreras come with an antilock braking system, and standard ventilated disc brakes, while Porsche’s own ceramic composite brakes are available as an optional upgrade. There are also dual-front airbags as well as airbags for side protection of the head and thorax, as well as an anti-theft system that includes an immobilizer.

Officially on sale this month, the base model of the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera has a starting MSRP of $75,600.

Also see: Porsce 911 GT