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.
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.