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by Carlos de Alzaga
Engine: 3.6L Flat-6 (Carrera)
/ 3.8L Flat-6 (Carrera S)
Retail Price: from GBP 58,000 Pounds (incl. VAT) / EUR 75,000 (incl. 16% MWSt.) Competing Models: "Competing Segment" on right side of "Best Autos & Cars in the World" page More information on: www.porsche.com
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The
new 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera (model code 997) comes in two power versions
with engines varying in size: the “basic" 911 Carrera displacing 3.6 litres
and developing maximum output of 325 bhp, and the 911 Carrera S displacing
3.8 litres and with maximum output of 355 bhp. The new 3.8-litre flat-six
develops its maximum torque of 400 Newton-metres (295 lb-ft), accelerating
the Carrera S in 4.8 seconds from 0 – 100 km/h and ensuring a top speed
of 293 km/h or 182 mph. To cope with the extra power and performance of
the new Carrera S, both 911 Coupés now come with a new six-speed
manual gearbox able to convey even higher torque while reducing weight
and shortening gearshift travel. Tiptronic S with an optimised gearshift
program and even better shift quality is available as an alternative to
this new six-speed manual gearbox. With the emergency wheel so far fitted
on the bulkhead now being dropped and the bulkhead crossbar redesigned,
Porsche's engineers had the opportunity to consistently update and modify
the shape and configuration of the luggage compartment, which capacity
is up by 5 litres to 135 litres.
Rack-and-pinion
steering with variable transmission ratio The new 911 Carrera comes for
the first time with rack-and-pinion steering featuring a variable transmission
ratio responding even more smoothly and precisely to the driver's commands
and thus enhancing the car's agility particularly on winding roads and
in sharp bends. Handling in town is improved above all in parking manoeuvres
and when turning, thanks to the far more spontaneous response of the steering
particularly in such a situation. Powerful body with a new waistline In
its design, the new Porsche 911 consistently continues the existing model
line with all its features. With evolutionary restyling from front to rear,
the new 911 Carrera is however even more dynamic than before, although
the 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S differ from one another on some fine
but significant points. The wider track and the slimmer, more accentuated
waistline, for example, make the new model even more powerful and athletic
in its look – and, of course, a lot more powerful and athletic to drive.
Further striking features of the car's evolutionary design are the new
headlights with separate additional headlights in the front section, the
fenders and wheel arches accentuated even more strongly than before and
the new double-arm rearview mirrors. The new 911 Carrera comes on new,
even larger light-alloy wheels:18-inch wheels in new five-spoke design
and measuring 8J x 18 at the front and 10J x 18 at the rear are standard.
PASM
Porsche Active Suspension Management is available as an option on the 911
Carrera and comes as standard on the 911 Carrera S. PASM combines two suspensions
in one, a sporting and comfortable set-up for long distances and a very
dynamic configuration for performance driving. Compared with the standard
suspension of the Carrera, PASM suspension lowers the entire car by 10
millimetres or 0.39". The normal set-up provides a more comfortable damper
setting changing gradually to a sporting mode as soon as the driver adopts
a more dynamic style of motoring. Particularly on long trips on the motorway
the car's occupants will enjoy a far higher standard of comfort, PASM absorbing
minor and medium bumps on the surface much better and more smoothly than
the standard suspension. By contrast, the sports set-up activates a harder
damper control map for a very agile and dynamic style of motoring, the
features and qualities thus provided being quite comparable to those of
an all-out sports suspension. Minimisation of body roll ensures fast lap
times confirmed by numerous measurements at the German race track Nuerrburgring,
where the sporting set-up serves to cut an average of 5 seconds off lap
times compared with the standard suspension and 20 seconds compared to
the old 911 - well, at least if your name is Walter Roehrl, the legendary
Porsche test driver.