Last Update on : June 9, 2008
New Porsche 911 unveiled faster and greener
Porsche will keep both driving enthusiasts and environmentalists happy with a facelifted 911 that offers more performance as well as improved fuel efficiency and emissions.
There are only subtle exterior changes to the 997-series 911 Carrera that launched in 2004, with the major changes taking place beneath the sports car's iconic silhouette.
 The new 3.6- and 3.8-litre six-cylinder engines now boast direct fuel injection for the first time and deliver more power. The 911 Carrera's 3.6-litre sends 254kW (up 15kW) to its rear wheels, while the larger-engined Carrera S increases power by 22kW to 283kW.
The updated 911 Carrera and Carrera S coupes and convertibles also herald the arrival of the German car maker's new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox, which Porsche calls Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK). The gearbox is optional and replaces the formerly optional Tiptronic automatic transmission.
As with VW's DSG system, drivers can keep the PDK gearbox in Drive like a regular auto with a torque converter or they can use the gearlever or steering wheel paddles for manual changes.
Porsche says the new transmission boosts both fuel economy and performance.
A Carrera S coupe equipped with the seven-speed PDK transmission accelerates from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds (4.7sec, six-speed manual) - three-tenths of a second quicker than the model it replaces. An optional launch control system (part of a Sport Chrono Plus package) reduces the Carrera's sprint time by another two tenths, to 4.3sec.
Porsche says the Carrera S can now reach a speed in excess of 300km/h (previously 293km/h).
The Carrera's fuel consumption has been improved from 11.3 (Tiptronic auto) to 9.8L/100km, with Porsche also claiming a CO2 (carbon dioxide) emmissions reduction of 15 per cent.
Porsche 911 styling is always evolutionary. The mid-life changes to the 911’s styling include LED daytime driving lights and bi-xenon headlights on all models. Other tweaks include larger front air intakes, new wheels, and revised rear bumper that incorporate exhaust pipes (oval on Carrera, quad on Carrera)
Another new option for the new Carrera models is Dynamic Bending Lights, Porsche's name for headlights that peer around corners at night for improved vision.
The new 911 Carrera models go on sale in Australia on September 20, with pricing yet to be announced. Prices for the models have increased in Europe, so expect local pricetags to head in the same northerly direction.
The Carrera and Carrera S currently start at $201,000 and $227,600 respectively.
Porsche's other 911 models such as the Turbo are expected to be given the facelift treatment later in 2008.
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