Porsche 911 Carrera S 2009

Porsche, whose notoriously fast cars get updated at a notoriously glacial pace, at least in terms of style, even while sometimes major advancements occur under the skin. Specifically, what he got was a pretty, blue, badge-less 2009 Carrera S clearly showing off new quad-element HID headlamps nestled within the Carrera’s not-new ovoid surrounds. Beneath the familiar frog eyes are enlarged air intakes into which the turn signals are integrated.

Consider the 2009 911 a brand-new car, even though the basic structure remains essentially the same as the outgoing model’s. In addition, the 2009 Porsche 911 will also incorporate more powerful, direct-injected versions of the 3.6-liter and 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines. They’ll narrow the gap in straight-line acceleration between the 911 and its hugely powerful competition, while also featuring just enough improvement in fuel economy to fend off unsympathetic government regulators for a couple more years.

Suspension, brakes, lighting, interior and exterior styling all were massaged for the Carrera and Carrera S, and the process has resulted in the best 911 yet. We drove both models on a drizzly day over autobahn and narrow German back roads, and all we could do at the end of the drive was shake our heads in admiration: They’ve done it again. They’ve built a better 911

As a result, the base 911 Carrera’s 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder is now making 345 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 287 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, which is up from 325 hp at 6,800 and 273 lb-ft at 4,250 in 2008. If you pair this engine with the PDK, Porsche says you’re looking at 4.5 seconds to 60 mph, a couple tenths quicker than the car would be with the manual. Add the Sports Chrono Package Plus, and the company’s acceleration estimate drops to 4.3.

The 3.8-liter engine in the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S offers 379 hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm, versus 355 hp at 6,600 and 295 lb-ft at 4,600 in ’08. This still pales in comparison to the GT-R’s totals (480 hp, 430 lb-ft), but bear in mind that the entry-level members of the 911 family are 700-800 pounds lighter than the R35 (GT-R). That weight advantage won’t necessarily translate to a level playing field, but it might be hard not to enjoy a 911 Carrera S with a top speed of 188 mph. Porsche says a PDK-equipped 911 Carrera S coupe will hit 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, or 4.1 with the Sports Chrono option.

The base Cabriolet and Carrera S Coupe, which is powered by a 3.8L six with 385 hp, are both $86,200, while the Carrera S Cabriolet is $96,800. Both models boast more power, bigger brakes, more athletic suspensions, and a clean and classic exterior rehabilitation, but arguably the most significant aspect of the oh-niners is Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe.