2006 Porsche 911 Model Update

Calling 911

Porsche adds all-wheel-drive models, including a 480-hp Turbo version, to the line.

Porsche’s 911 is an icon among sports cars. While other models come and go or get changed dramatically, the 911 has held steadfastly to the same basic formula used when it debuted in 1963: a teardrop shape and rear-mounted engine (which remained air-cooled until 1999).

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

Few would mistake a 911 for any other car on the street. In many ways, the 911 is the automotive equivalent of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, evoking an emotional bond with owners and enthusiasts like few other vehicles can.

Porsche redesigned its line of 911 coupes and convertibles for the 2005 model year. The company enjoyed record sales of this model last year, with 10,653 units sold.

For 2006, 911 Carrera 4 and 4S coupe and Cabriolet models with all-wheel drive have been added, in addition to a Turbo version that goes on sale summer 2006 as a 2007 model.

The AWD system in the Carrera 4 and 4S has a multidisk, viscous coupling that transfers between five and 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels, which improves handling and traction on slippery roads. Slightly wider at the rear than the base rear-drive 911 but the same width as 911 Carrera S models, the Carrera 4 and 4S accommodate wider tires at the back for better grip.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the board, with a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission available. It allows manual shifting via steering-wheel-mounted buttons.

The Turbo model's 3.6-liter turbocharged boxer engine is 60 hp more powerful than the previous 911 Turbo's engine, with a total output of 480 hp and 457 pound-feet of torque. It has chassis, braking and suspension upgrades, including a new electronically controlled multidisk clutch for its standard AWD system. Styling is slightly different than other 911s, with deeper scoops and larger spoilers.

2007 Porsche 911 Turbo + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

When equipped with the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 911 Turbo will reach 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Models equipped with the optional Tiptronic S five-speed automatic will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 193 mph.

The 911 Carrera coupe and Cabriolet and 911 Carrera 4 coupe and Cabriolet come with a rear-mounted, 325-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine. Top speed approaches 180 mph, with zero-to-60 mph times of around five seconds. The S versions of those four models include a 355-hp 3.8-liter six-cylinder that cuts the car’s sprint to 60 mph to 4.6 secs.

Four-wheel disc antilock brakes with Active Brake Differential are standard on all 911s, as is the Porsche Stability Management System (PSM), which uses sensors to monitor each wheel and automatically apply braking or adjust the throttle to improve traction and performance. In high-powered cars like the 911, such safety systems are a boon.

PSM can be disabled for drivers who wish to explore the car's limits without electronic aids. If deactivated, the system will automatically turn back on under heavy braking, where at least one front wheel requires ABS assistance.

Porsche Active Suspension Management system, standard on all S models and otherwise optional, uses sensors to monitor body movement and automatically adjust the suspension according to driving style and road conditions. A "Sport" mode stiffens the suspension for sharper handling.

For aspiring amateur racers, a Sport Chrono Package Plus ($920) features a digital/analog stopwatch on the center dash and the ability to improve throttle, suspension and transmission response (only with the optional Tiptronic S automatic) for even sharper handling and performance. Data from the stopwatch is logged in the onboard computer for future review. Parameters can be set to measure and record driving times for any stretch of road or track.

Acceleration and handling range from excellent to sublime, depending on which 911 model you choose. The ride can be rough, though, given the car’s stiff suspension and low-profile tires.

2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Coupe + enlarge image  |  view gallery >

In keeping with Porsche tradition, the interior styling is understated and more purposeful than luxurious, with well-placed controls. The rear seat is useful only for small children or cargo.

A generous assortment of standard features includes front-side and side-curtain airbags. Porsche's staggering options list allows detailed customization, including comfort and convenience equipment, performance upgrades, trim materials and colors, and cosmetic addenda. You can choose paint and upholstery to match virtually any color or fabric.

Porsche's European delivery program ($2,250) allows owners to pick up their new vehicle at the factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany, and drive cross-country to a port for shipment back to the U.S. It covers a range of services including transport, hotel reservations and a factory tour.