Porsche 911 Carrera
Highlights
Second-generation design
The second generation of the 996 model series Carrera looks far more powerful and dynamic through its newly designed front end. This improvement is attributable above all to the attractive design of the headlights carried over to the Carrera models from the 911 Turbo. The front end also spells out more power and dynamism, with the air intake openings being almost completely different from the former design. Two oval tailpipes at the rear and the contour line in the lower third of the rear panel are further clear signs of distinction versus the former model.
VarioCam Plus masterminding the new 3.6-litre engine
The six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit featured in the Carrera models develops its superior power from 3.6 engine displacement. Maximum output is 235 kW (320 bhp) at 6800 rpm, maximum torque 370 Nm or 273 lb-ft at 4250 rpm. Despite this increase in power and torque throughout the entire engine speed range, fuel consumption under the EU standard compared with the first generation displacing 3.4 litres is down by approximately 6 per cent to 11.1 litres or 25.2 mpg Imp.
VarioCam Plus comprising camshaft adjustment on the intake side and a valve lift switchover function is also featured on the Carrera models. The valve lift adjustment system is made up of two interacting, switchable cup tappets on the intake side of the engine operated by two cams varying in size on the intake camshaft. The two significant advantages of VarioCam Plus are, first, the optimisation of engine output and torque and, second, the improvement of fuel economy, emission control and motoring refinement.
Streamlining enhanced to an even higher standard
Porsche's aerodynamicists have given the second-generation Carrera outstanding qualities also in terms of streamlining. First, they have increased the flow of cooling air through the front section by 15 per cent for even better ventilation of the front wheel arches. The second improvement is the significant reduction of lift forces on both the front and rear axle, and a really remarkable point in this context is the drag coefficient remaining unchanged at a Cd rating of 0.30.
Lateral locking differential at the rear for higher speeds in bends
Starting this model year, the rear-wheel-drive manual gearbox 911 Carrera coupe is available for the first time with a mechanical lateral locking differential at the rear, in conjunction with sports suspension lowering the the entire car by 10 millimetres and featuring 18-inch wheels. Locking action of the mutiple-plate clutch is 22 per cent under power and 27 percent in the overrun mode.
Special light-alloy wheels for even lower weight
In their styling the attractive light-alloy wheels consistently follow the rules of lightweight technology borne out in particular by the very slender spokes. On the 17-inch wheels in 10-spoke design featured as standard, weight is down versus the previous wheels by 9.1 per cent or 3.6 kilos. The difference is even greater on the 18-inch wheels in five-spoke design weighing 10.6 kilos or 23.4 lb less than the former wheels, equal to an improvement by 21.3 per cent.
On-board computer with an extra-large display
Apart from detailed modifications such as the red area on the rev counter, the Carrera models come with the same instrument cluster as the 911 Turbo. The lower third of the rev counter arranged right in the middle houses a large display able to present various messages at the same time. In its basic setting, it presents not only the overall and trip mileage, but also an additional message from the on-board computer such as the outside temperature, navigation or telephone function. The driver also has the choice of varying the messages displayed as required, the on-board computer fitted as standard presenting, say, the outside temperature, the range the car is still able to cover on the fuel in the tank, and your current fuel consumption.
Sophisticated, high-quality interior equipment
Apart from seats finished partially in leather, automatic air conditioning, heat-insulating glass, a CD radio, electric window lifts, electrically adjustable and heated rear-view mirrors, central locking, an electronic immobiliser and an alarm system with interior surveillance, a threespoke steering wheel, a cupholder fitted beneath the centre air nozzle, and an illuminated, lockable glove compartment are all standard features. The glove compartment beneath the passenger airbag is able to accommodate books up to the size of a car atlas.
Porsche 911 Carrera
More Engine – More Sports Car
The 911 Carrera is closer to the 911 Turbo than ever before. In its second generation it has the same headlight styling as its “Big Brother” and an entirely new front-end design. Two oval tailpipes at the rear and a contour line in the lower third of the newly designed rear end are further signs of distinction versus the previous model. Enlarged in size to 3.6 litres, the flat-six power unit develops maximum output of 235 kW (320 bhp), giving the 911 Carrera a top speed of 285 km/h or 177 mph. Acceleration is exactly 5.0 seconds to 100 km/h or 62 mph.
Powerful engine with VarioCam Plus
VarioCam Plus is now also featured on the Carrera models. Supplementing VarioCam adjustment of the intake camshaft by adding adjustment of valve lift on the intake side, the system is made up of switching cup tappets operated by a 3/2-way valve. With different valve contours on the intake camshaft, operation of the cup tappets applies the individual cam configurations and, accordingly, different valve lift curves on the engine. To be specific, the tappets are made up two interacting units hydraulically locked together when required by means of an attachment pin. This connects the inner tappet with the small cam limiting valve lift to 3.6 millimetres or 0.14”, while the outer cam remains in touch with the large cam with maximum valve lift of 11 millimetres or 0.43”. Unlike the system featured on the 911 GT2 and 911 Turbo, this new concept allows variable adjustment of the intake camshaft timing via a wing-cell adjuster connecting the camshaft with the drive gear. VarioCam Plus serves, first, to optimise both output and torque and, second, to reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, while at the same time improving the smoothness and refinement of the engine.
Ideal streamlining for supreme performance
Optimising the streamlining of the new model, Porsche's engineers have focused above all on the front end of the car. Naturally taking design and styling requirements into account, the basic design, angles and radii of the front end have been modified versus the previous model to provide an even better flow of air around the front end while at the same time increasing the throughput of cooling air by 15 per cent. The side radii at the front and the wheel arches upstream of the front wheels are designed to ensure an optimum flow of air not reaching the front wheels even at the side, together with a considerably improved flow of air out of the wheel arches. This serves both to reduce air resistance and to minimise lift forces on the front axle. Another new feature serving to minimise lift forces is the addition of flexible spoiler lips on the wheel arches upstream of the front wheels: Apart from slightly reducing air resistance, these spoiler lips significantly cut back lift forces on the rear axle, the drag coefficient of the new model remaining unchanged at Cd = 0.30. Starting this model year the rear-wheel-drive manual gearbox 911 Carrera coupe is available as an option for the first time with a mechanical lateral differential lock at the rear, in conjunction with the suspension lowered by 10 millimetres and 18-inch light-alloy wheels. Locking action of the multiple-plate clutch is 22 per cent under power and 27 percent in the overrun mode.
Special light-alloy wheels serving to minimise unsprung masses
The suspension is based largely on the proven components already featured on the previous model phased out of production in August 2001, now further upgraded and refined thanks to the experience gained with the 911 Turbo and the 911 GT3. As a result, the new models offer an even higher standard of sporting and agile handling combined with a further increase in driving safety. The introduction of weight-optimised light-alloy wheels serves to reduce unsprung masses to an even lower level than before. In their styling these wheels consistently follow the rules of lightweight technology borne out in particular by the very slender spokes. On the 17-inch wheels fitted as standard, weight is down by 9.1 per cent or 3.6 kilos versus the former wheels, on the 18-inch wheels the corresponding reduction is an even more significant 21.3 per cent or 10.6 kilos.
The brakes feature cross-drilled brake discs with four-piston monobloc brake callipers made of light alloy. Comprehensive tests naturally including Porsche's famous fading test have shown that the well-known brake system with discs measuring 318 mm or 12.52” at the front and 299 mm or 11.77” at the rear offer supreme stopping power in every respect.
Superior safety
The foundation for the high standard of passive safety offered by the new Carrera is provided by Porsche's well-known energyabsorbing load-bearing structure conveying loads along specific, predetermined paths with a carefully calculated load distribution strategy in the interest of supreme passenger safety. The allround protection package also includes the doors, the bumper system and, of course, the restraint systems as well as suspension components and other major features within the car. Further important highlights of the restraint system are the driver and passenger airbag as well as the two side airbags. Well-known under its trade name “POSIP” (Porsche Side Impact Protection), the side airbag system is Porsche's own in-house development offering both the driver and passenger truly outstanding protection in an accident, with the two airbags being designed to ensure maximum protection also in an open cabriolet.
Modern PCM and BOSE sound system for extra comfort
With its predecessor already coming as standard, inter alia, with seats partially finished in leather, automatic air conditioning, heat insulating glass, electric window lifts, electrically adjustable and heated rear-view mirrors, central locking, an electronic immobiliser and an alarm system with complete surveillance of the interior, the range of features provided by the 911 Carrera is now even more extensive: Standard equipment now also includes the onboard computer, a three-spoke steering wheel, a CD radio and a cup-holder fitted beneath the central air nozzle and moving out at the touch of a finger. Another new feature is the illuminated glove compartment with a capacity of five litres beneath the passenger airbag.
Porsche’s new Communication Management (PCM) available as an option, linking the double tuner, CD player, trip navigation, trip computer and the optional GSM dual-band Telefone through lightwave technology (MOST databus), also stands out through its new, user-friendly design. One of the particular highlights is the navigation module allowing, inter alia, dynamic navigation, map scrolling and trip planning, with the user entering and recording several destinations in a row.
The BOSE sound system also available as an individual feature is likewise integrated in the MOST (Media-Oriented Systems Transport) databus. With the 10 loudspeakers and the additional subwoofer system being fitted at specific, predetermined points, this hifi system with its 100 Watt TSM switching amplifier guarantees superior sound quality even in a car with the roof open.
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