Porsche Spreads 2009 911 Facelift to Carrera 4 and 4S

2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet

By Clinton Deacon
June 25, 2008 9:18 AM
Filed Under: German, Porsche

Earlier this month Porsche took the wraps off the rear-wheel-drive 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera, now the updates have reached the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S. Only subtle exterior and interior design modifications were touched for the facelifted model with the engineers clearly focusing their attention on the technics hiding beneath.

For the 2009 model year, Porsche will launch their new optional seven-speed double-clutch gearbox (PDK, or Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe) which shifts gears electrohydraulically without any loss of traction or pulling force. The new technology not only improves performance but also keeps those environmentalists happy with reduced emissions and better fuel economy. Porsche have stopped short of introducing start-start technology to its engines citing their power hungry consumers are likely to consider this a step too far.

The old all-wheel drive system is replaced with the electronically controlled PTM Porsche Traction Management system which was originally developed for the Turbo model.

The subtle exterior modifications are limited to front and rear LED lights along with slightly redesigned bumpers, the interior gets a new PCM Porsche Communication Management with a touch-sensitive screen with improved operational ability, it is also compatible with Bluetooth, USB and iPod technologies.

The Carrera 4 and 4S will hit dealerships on the 25th October.

Source: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

Press Release (Click to expand)

Showing the dynamic attitude typical of the brand, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, are continuing the generation change of the 911 model series. Just a few weeks after the new 911s with classic rear-wheel drive, the all-wheel-drive versions Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S are now entering the market in both Coupé and Cabriolet guise.

A whole range of new technologies surrounding the engine, the transmission and drivetrain ensures an even higher standard of driving pleasure on much lower fuel consumption. Particularly the precision and fast response of the new, electronically controlled all-wheel drive offers an even more intense driving experience, above all in interaction with the likewise new flat-six engines with Direct Fuel Injection and the PDK Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch gearbox available as an option.

The features and characteristics of the new engines speak for themselves: Depending on the model, the new all-wheel-drive Carrera offers up to 8.5 per cent more power, up to 12.9 per cent more fuel economy, and 15.4 per cent lower CO2 emissions. Specifically, output of the 3.6-litre power unit is up by 20 to 345 bhp (254 kW). At the same time a Carrera 4 Coupé with PDK, to take just one example, consumes a mere 10.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, equal to 28.0 mpg imp. The improvements on the 911 Carrera 4S with its 3.8-litre power unit are equally significant, with maximum output up by 30 to 385 bhp (283 kW) on overall fuel consumption down in the case of Carrera 4S Cabriolet with PDK to 10.7 litres/100 km, equal to 26.4 mpg imp.

In the new generation of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S electronically controlled PTM Porsche Traction Management replaces the former all-wheel drive with its viscous multiple-plate clutch. This superior system developed for the 911 Turbo and modified for the Carrera models combines the driving pleasure so typical of Porsche with an even higher standard of driving stability, traction and agile handling further enhanced by the mechanical rear axle differential fitted as standard.

The new all-wheel-drive sports cars come with sporting manual transmission featuring six gears. As an alternative the new models are available with Porsche’s new Doppelkupplungsgetriebe replacing the former Tiptronic S automatic converter transmission and offering an even faster gearshift on less fuel. The Doppelkupplungsgetriebe or double-clutch gearbox comes with seven gears shifting electrohydraulically without the slightest interruption of traction and pulling force.

The new generation of the 911 model series stands out clearly through the discreet but striking modification of the front end and new lights technology. The new Carrera models come in all cases with bi-xenon headlights and new LED daytime driving lights.

The newly designed rear light clusters also feature LED technology and for the first time Porsche offers Dynamic Bending Lights as an option. It almost goes without saying that all Carrera 4 models come as before with their muscular rear end 44 millimetres or 1.73” wider than on the two-wheel-drive versions. And a new reflector trim bar between the LED rear lights gives the typical rear end of the car even more dynamic character.

New PCM Porsche Communication Management with its touch-sensitive screen improves operation of the in some cases optional navigation, information and audio systems to an even higher standard. And a further important point is that PCM is now compatible with Bluetooth, USB and iPod requirements.

All all-wheel-drive Carrera models will be at the dealership as of 25 October 2008.

Comments

AG4
June 25, 2008 10:06 AM
Return of the reflector between the taillights.

benz_man
June 25, 2008 1:58 PM
And it looks really good. I'm happy for the throw-back.

catchmyshadow
June 25, 2008 10:15 AM
i like the reflector stripe and the bigger visual difference between the C2 and C4.

alessandro
June 25, 2008 11:30 AM
Its cool. Longlasting owerdo but nice.

LMS
June 25, 2008 12:10 PM
What did they change? And which model is this? How can you tell them apart? Why do I feel like Porsche are only selling one car with different names?

ShinyG
June 25, 2008 2:06 PM
1. Yay, the reflector is back! 2. Love the dual-clutch gearbox. Good thing they gave it the PDK name, because "Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe" is too much to read for non-german folks...

Xanavi23
June 25, 2008 7:52 PM
The face-lift looks great, i especially like the reflector strip..its an awesome throwback. I love Porsche, i love the gradual evolution while at the same time keeping it classic.

peterjames7
June 25, 2008 9:56 PM
are you guys kidding me, this is almost as unsuccessful as the fried egg 911, i've always been a massive fan of the reflector on the tail lights but this is terrible. the reflector across the lights always mad the rear look mo4re aggresive with the continuos sweeping line but these new tail lights with the awkward shape really dont work with these awkward lights. and is it just me or is the reflector across the middle a differant colour to the lights? looks cheap..........

ps. im not a borsche fan

bodi
June 26, 2008 12:32 AM
i love its rear !

ceven
June 26, 2008 1:09 PM
The rear is a thing of beauty. The reflector bar is, like, perfectly executed.

And that Macadamia metallic paint (see Porsche 911 C2/C4 web special) is just brilliant. Brilliant! :D

RS5
June 26, 2008 5:16 PM
I don't like the front too much. It looks way too similar to the Boxster.

jslcarfan
June 27, 2008 1:09 AM
Its beautiful i love the rear. i cant wait to see what they do with the turbo and the pdk dual clutch.

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