Following the recent refresh of the rear-wheel-drive Porsche Carrera and Carrera S, Porsche has announced a refresh for both the coupe and Cabriolet models of the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S, as well.
Most importantly, the refreshed Carrera 4 and 4S lose the old multi-plate, viscous all-wheel-drive system in favor of the electronically controlled system from the 911 Turbo. The old system could send between 5 and 40 percent of engine torque to the front wheels once it had detected wheelspin. The new electronic system can anticipate traction losses and shift up to 100 percent of engine torque fore or aft.
Porsche says the new AWD system reacts faster to traction changes, and doesn’t make the Carrera 4 significantly heavier.
The all-wheel-drive models receive many of the same updates as their rear-drive brethren. For 2009, the base Carrera’s 3.6-liter flat-six engine is tuned to produce 345 horsepower, an increase of 20 horses, and the 3.8-liter unit in the Carrera S jumps from 355 to 385 hp. Both engines are now direct-injection, and either can be coupled to a six-speed manual transmission or Porsche’s PDK seven-speed, double-clutch gearbox.
Like the two-wheel-drive models, the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S receive abundant visual changes, as well. The cars sport new LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and a touch-screen infotainment system. Look for the new Carreras at dealerships this October, ranging in price from $81,700 to $102,900.
Most importantly, the refreshed Carrera 4 and 4S lose the old multi-plate, viscous all-wheel-drive system in favor of the electronically controlled system from the 911 Turbo. The old system could send between 5 and 40 percent of engine torque to the front wheels once it had detected wheelspin. The new electronic system can anticipate traction losses and shift up to 100 percent of engine torque fore or aft.
Porsche says the new AWD system reacts faster to traction changes, and doesn’t make the Carrera 4 significantly heavier.
The all-wheel-drive models receive many of the same updates as their rear-drive brethren. For 2009, the base Carrera’s 3.6-liter flat-six engine is tuned to produce 345 horsepower, an increase of 20 horses, and the 3.8-liter unit in the Carrera S jumps from 355 to 385 hp. Both engines are now direct-injection, and either can be coupled to a six-speed manual transmission or Porsche’s PDK seven-speed, double-clutch gearbox.
Like the two-wheel-drive models, the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S receive abundant visual changes, as well. The cars sport new LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, and a touch-screen infotainment system. Look for the new Carreras at dealerships this October, ranging in price from $81,700 to $102,900.
