Zack at the Wheel
Redesigned model features new styling and technology, but also embraces the history of the legendary sports car
Zack Spencer takes out the all- new Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, and reports the star of the refined open- air driving experience is the base 3.4- litre engine.
In the latest J. D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study ( which tracks the number of times owners return to their dealership due to problems) the Porsche Carrera ( 911) is ranked as the No. 1 vehicle overall ( meaning, the least number of problems reported).
Porsche knows how to build cars that driving enthusiasts embrace, but they do it with the highest quality as a focus. If there is a reliable super sports car, the 911 is it.
For 2012, Porsche has introduced an all- new Carrera, moving the design and technology forward but also embracing the history that their buyers demand. Basically, Porsche needs to advance, but not too fast, for fear that they might alienate that loyal, core Porsche buyer. Having had a chance to drive the new Carrera S Coupe earlier this year, it was a treat to get behind the wheel of the latest Cabriolet, fitted with Porsche’s all- new 3.4- litre engine and 7- speed manual transmission.
The Skin
One of the areas that Porsche changed dramatically is the length of the wheelbase ( the distance between the front and rear wheels). By adding 10 centimetres to the wheelbase, the look of the car changes dramatically, even though the overall length of the car is only 5.6 cm longer. There is no question that the design is classic Porsche, but the added length produces an imposing car. For Cabriolet buyers the roof now has a more cohesive design, and in silhouette it looks very similar to the coupe. With the roof down the hard shell that covers the folded cloth roof produces a slight hump, but this new design is the best integration yet of a convertible. The test car seen here is equipped with optional 20- inch wheels that enhance the new size of the car but also look fantastic against this Basalt Black Metallic paint. The standard wheel size is 19 inches.
The Cockpit
The interiors of all new Porsche vehicles showcase just how far car interiors have come. The level of workmanship is fantastic; there are no hard, cheaplooking plastic pieces, and the touches of aluminum and construction are first rate. There are two major criticisms that need to be pointed out for anyone looking at a manual version of the 911. First, there is no handbrake — the driver has to push or pull a lever under the left- hand side of the dash to engage the electric parking brake. Yes, the driver adapts but this setup is far from intuitive and frustrating for anyone that has driven a manual car for years. If there has to be a button instead of an actual manual handbrake, then place it on the console, not under the dash! Second, instead of being closer to knee height, the shifter now sits higher in the console, so the pulling motion from first to second gear doesn’t feel natural or smooth. On the plus side, the back seats are very usable for children; my kids begged me to take them out at any chance and never complained once. Of course, ice cream was at the end of each journey, so maybe that had something to do with it?