2008 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Comely Cabrio

Adding a power-operated fabric roof to the already-appealing Porsche 911 Carrera only increases driving enjoyment, provided the elements cooperate.

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Other models come and go, change their nameplates, or get completely recast every four or five years, but the 911 has held steadfastly to the same basic formula that was used when it debuted in 1963: a teardrop shape and rear-mounted engine.

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Today, a rear-mounted, 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine powers the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet and all-wheel-drive 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet. Top speed approaches 180 mph, with zero to 60 mph times of around 5 seconds. The 911 Carrera S Cabriolet and the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet include a bigger, 3.8-liter six-cylinder, which cuts the car’s sprint to 60 mph by about half a second.

The all-wheel-drive system in the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet transfers between 5 and 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels. This improves handling in dry conditions and also traction on slippery roads. The all-wheel-drive models are slightly wider at the rear to accommodate meatier tires.

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Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with Active Brake Differential are standard on all Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolets. So is the Porsche Stability Management System (PSM), which uses sensors to monitor each wheel and automatically apply the brakes or adjust the throttle to improve traction and performance. In high-powered cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, 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 (PASM) 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 Cabriolet Vehicle Summary

For aspiring amateur racers, the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet 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.

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The power-operated fabric top in the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet can open or close in about 20 seconds, and it can operate up to 31 mph. A heated glass rear window is included. With the top down, an air deflector helps minimize wind noise. An integrated rollbar system deploys automatically if sensors detect that the car is about to flip.

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Standard features on the Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet 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 Cabriolet at the factory in Zuffenhausen, Germany, and drive cross-country to a port for shipment back to the U.S.