2007 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe

A Modern Classic

The latest generation of the venerable Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe keeps its timeless good looks and engaging performance, in a wide variety of models for well-heeled enthusiasts.

The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe is an icon. While other models come and go or get changed dramatically, the 911 has held steadfastly to the same basic formula since 1963: a teardrop shape and a rear-mounted engine (which remained air-cooled until 1999).

Few would mistake a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe 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.

The Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, and its higher-performance equivalent, the 911 Carrera S Coupe, were last redesigned for the 2005 model year, retaining their familiar teardrop-shaped styling. All-wheel-drive models, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and the Carrera 4S Coupe, were added for the 2006 model year.

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The standard engine is a rear-mounted, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine for the 911 Carrera Coupe and the 911 Carrera 4 Coupe. Top speed approaches 180 mph, with 0-60 mph times of around 5 seconds. The “S” variants of those models get a bigger, 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that cuts the car’s 60-mph sprint by about half a second.

The AWD system in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and the 4S Coupe has a multidisk, viscous coupling that can transfer between 5 and 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels. This improves handling and also traction on slippery roads. The AWD models are slightly wider at the rear than the rear-drive 911 Carrera Coupe, to accommodate wider tires at the back.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe and the 911 Carrera S Coupe. A five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission, which allows manual shifting via steering-wheel-mounted buttons, is optional.

Four-wheel disc antilock brakes with Active Brake Differential are standard on all variants of the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe. So is 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 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, such safety systems are a boon.

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PSM can be disabled for drivers who wish to explore the car’s limits without electronic aids. If deactivated, heavy braking will automatically turn the system back on.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management system is standard on all “S” models and optional on the standard models. The system 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. The ride can be rough, though, given the car’s already-stiff suspension and low-profile tires.

Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Vehicle Summary

For aspiring amateur racers, the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe offers a Sport Chrono Package Plus, which features a digital/analog stopwatch on the center dash and the ability to select improved throttle, suspension and transmission response (only with the optional Tiptronic S automatic). 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.

The interior of the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe is understated and more purposeful than luxurious, with well-placed controls. The rear seat is useful only for small children or cargo.

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Standard features include 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.

A European delivery program allows owners to pick up their new Porsche 911 Carrera Coupes 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.