Porsche has whipped the covers off its new 911 Cabriolet, taking the 992-generation model topless just six weeks after the launch of the coupé.
While obviously sharing much with the hardtop model, the 911 Cabriolet gains a new hydraulic system to open and close the roof quicker than before. The fully automatic softtop has an integrated glass rear window, while the roof structure itself contains magnesium surface elements known as bows, which the automaker says “reliably prevent ballooning” at high speeds.
The soft top can now be opened or closed at speeds up to 50 km/h, with the new hydraulics reducing the opening time to “around twelve seconds”. An electrically extendable wind deflector, meanwhile, cuts wind impact on the necks of occupants.
The 911 Cabriolet will initially be available in Carrera S (rear-wheel drive) and Carrera 4S (all-wheel drive) forms. Both employ the brand’s turbocharged 3,0-litre flat-six, which generates 331 kW at 6 500 r/min and 530 N.m between 2 300 and 5 000 r/min. Power is delivered by a newly developed eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Porsche says the Carrera S will accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds (or two-tenths quicker with the optional Sport Chrono Package fitted) and reach speeds “up to 306 km/h”. The Carrera 4S, meanwhile, tops out at 304 km/h and hits 100 km/h in 3,8 seconds (or 3,6 seconds with the Sport Chrono Package specified).
Porsche’s active suspension management sport chassis will be offered for the 911 Cabriolet for the first time. The springs used for this are harder and shorter, the front and rear anti-roll-bars more rigid, and the chassis overall has been lowered by 10 mm.
The new 911 Cabriolet features wider wings over the 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch items at the rear. The rear-wheel-drive models now match the bodywork width of the all-wheel-drive models. The rear of all models features a wider, variable-position spoiler and the same light bar used on the coupé.
Local pricing has already been released, with Porsche South Africa telling us the Carrera S Cabriolet will start at R1 874 000 and the Carrera 4S Cabriolet at R1 964 000 (both with a three-year/100 000 km Driveplan as standard).
