911 cabrio proves that evolution’s better than revolution

IN A MANIC world of radical sports car design, Porsche’s 911 can be called many (not so nice) things. Repetitive. Bland. Even, “same same”.

However, with each new generation of the car, there’s no denying that the company’s been able to improve upon a successful formula that’s made it one of the most iconic vehicles on the planet.

The global launch of the 2019 (992) Porsche 911 Cabriolet took place in Greece last weekend, so I jumped on a flight out there to see if it’s as good as it needs to be to retain its iconic status.

STYLING

The new Cabrio model follows the styling established with latest 992 Coupé launched earlier this year.

It offers a fully-automatic soft top, with an integrated glass rear window, while the soft top structure contains magnesium surface elements known as “bows”, which prevent ballooning of the roof at high speeds.

The soft top can be opened or closed at speeds of up to 50km/h, while new roof hydraulics reduce opening time to about 12 seconds.

An electrically-operated wind deflector ensures that heads are shielded from wind buffet too.

Wider haunches arch over 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear (for the first time on a Cabrio). The rear-wheel-drive models now also match the bodywork width of the all-wheel-drive models.

But, the party’s at the back here, as the rear of all models remain dominated by a significantly wider, variable-position spoiler and a continuous, seamless light bar.

On the inside, it retains that familiar 911 feel. Alongside the centrally positioned rev counter, two thin, frameless displays deliver information to the driver.

You also get a standard 27cm central touchscreen, through which the Porsche Communication Management system can be operated.

DERIVATIVES

The 911 Cabriolet is being launched locally (as it is around the world) as a Carrera S with rear-wheel drive, and Carrera 4S with all-wheel drive.

There’s no “standard” Carrera yet, and we are still salivating for the Turbo and Turbo S models.

The Carrera S and the Carrera 4S both, however, use a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder boxer engine, with 331kw on tap at 6500rpm and 530Nm of torque between 2300 and 5000rpm.

You’ll get 9.1l/100km if you drive lightly but, naturally, expect it to sit in the 15s if you hoof around from place to place.

Power is delivered to the tarmac through a newly developed eightspeed dual-clutch (PDK) transmission.

The Carrera S accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds (with the optional Sport Chrono Package: 3.7 seconds) and it can reach 306km/h.

The Carrera 4S reaches a top speed of 304km/h and achieves 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds (with optional Sport Chrono Package: 3.6 seconds).

Porsche engineers say new engine mounting positions make the Cabriolet even more rigid than its predecessor and, for the first time, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport chassis is available for the 911 Cabriolet.

The springs used for PASM cars are harder and shorter, the front and rear anti-roll-bars are more rigid, and the chassis overall is lowered by 10mm.

These adjustments aim to give the 911 a more neutral feel on the road, with better weight distribution too.

TECH

In what the manufacturer claims to be a world first, Porsche has developed “Wet Mode”, which is included as standard. This function autonomously detects water on the road, preconditions the control systems accordingly, and warns the driver, who can then set the car up to focus on safety by simply using the mode dial on the sports steering wheel in a Sport Chrono model.

A camera-based warning and brake assist system, also fitted as standard, detects the risk of collision with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, and initiates a warning or emergency braking procedure if necessary.

A park assistant system with reversing camera comes standard too.

Options for your 911 include

Night Vision Assist – with thermal imaging camera, as well as Adaptive Cruise Control with automatic distance control and a stop-and-go function.

THE DRIVE

The roads around Athens proved tricky thanks to extremely dry and dusty conditions. The S would tend to step out much more abruptly when pulling out to overtake or when attacking bends with a bit of intent.

With the car kept in Sport Plus mode, though, the traction control systems and smart braking system ensured that things were kept on the straight and narrow.

Turn the drive systems off and you’re in for a bit of oversteer.

There’s hardly any discernible turbo lag and you get these wonderful snarls, crackles, pops and fizzes from the turbo engine behind you.

The 4S is made for grip driving. Stick it in Sport Plus, work your way through the gears and bang through the corners. As long as you keep your inputs smooth, the car simply scampers out of corners. It doesn’t understeer as you would expect of an all-wheel-drive car and, for sporty road driving, it inspires confidence to go faster each time. | Drive360