DESCRIPTION

Pros:

• Powerful engine options
• Superb handling and AWD goodness
• A true sports car focused on the driver

Cons:

• The backseat is just an illusion
• Very few places to stash your stuff
• Price of options can deplete your bank account faster than your ex-wife

The 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet are powered by a 3.6-liter, six-cylinder horizontally opposed or ‘boxer’ engine that produces 345 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 288 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm.

The 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet attains a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.8 and 5.0 seconds, respectively, and a top test-track speed of 177 mph when fitted with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox. Adding the PDK gearbox the optional Sports Chrono Package further improves this sprint time to 4.4 and 4.6 seconds. The top test-track speed for a PDK-equipped 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet is 175 mph.

With the six-speed manual gearbox, the 2011 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet get 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 18 mpg city/25 highway, respectively. With PDK, they both get 18 mpg city/26 highway.

The MSRP for the Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet is $84,100 and $95,100, respectively, plus $950 for destination charge.

The 911 Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet feature Porsche’s 3.8-liter engine providing 385 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm.

Mechanically, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4, Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Coupes and Cabriolets benefit from the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system found under the Porsche 911 Turbo. PTM can vary the torque split infinitesimally and absolutely between front and rear wheels as needed for optimum traction. However, since most purists feel -- and Porsche engineers staunchly believe -- that rear-drive is critical for optimum sporty driving, PTM directs two thirds of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions.

The 911 Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet get 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway with the six-speed manual gearbox. With the PDK transmission they get 18 mpg city/26 mpg highway and 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway, respectively.

The 2011 MSRPs for the 911 Carrera 4S Coupe and Cabriolet is $96,800 and $107,800, respectively, plus $950 for destination.

Options on the Carrera 4 include Porsche Active Suspension Management, the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system, Sport Chrono Package Plus, bi-xenon headlights, stainless-steel exhaust pipes, self-dimming rearview mirrors, parking-assist sensors, navigation system, upgraded Bose stereo and more.