2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet Road Test

For die-hard stalwarts, the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet isn’t pure enough. The lack of roof means rigidity is lost and this took an edge off the handling. Hard core enthusiasts of Porsche didn’t think that it was proper for 911 to have less than ideal handling in any of its variants. With the top-up, the new Convertible imitates the iconic silhouette of Coupe and the result is perhaps one of the best-looking 911s since the 993 of mid-90s.

Design

You can raise or lower the top in thirteen seconds at up to 31 miles per hour. You will also find a wind deflector. In 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet models gone by, protecting one’s bouffant with roof down meant erecting mesh device over the back seats, which had more in common with scout’s tent unlike Teutonic engineering. The engineers of Porsche have completely redesigned the roof for 911 Carrera Cabriolet models; the result is flexible roof consisting of three individual and integral roof elements and glass rear window that are designed and developed from magnesium and covered in fabric. It makes the roof highly robust and, yet, predominantly lightweight.

Another advantage of new design is that hood is firm and smooth and the fabric remains taut keeping the familiar 911 lines stylish. The rear window is made from glass and is scratch resistant and electrically heated for providing excellent rearward visibility. The rain channel on roof carries away water for avoiding dripping while the doors are opened. The new roof is electrically powered and operated using button on the center console. It opens or closes in about 13 seconds and remains operable up to speed of 30 miles per hour. The concertina action ensures optimum protection for cabin lining, which is made from sound absorbing and heat insulating material. Consistent interior temperatures and effective suppression of wind noise are perceptible results.

Powerplants

The powerplants of 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet as you would expect are typified by 6 horizontally opposed cylinders. The 3.4 liter engine is good for producing 350 horsepower, while the 3.8 liter engine generates 400 horsepower. All Carrera S models come standard with DFI (direct fuel injection) and VarioCam Plus for reduced fuel consumption and increased power. The power is transmitted to the wheels by efficient and new seven-speed manual transmission or, optionally by efficiency-enhanced Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) that provides gear changes with no interruption in the flow of power.

Both powertrains offer enhanced sporty performance compared with engine in the previous model and yet fuel consumption has been reduced by 16 percent. One explanation is the reduced capacity of 3.4 liters in Carrera models. Another is total redesign of powerplant peripherals with pioneering efficiency-enhancing technologies. As standard, these include electrical system recuperation, intelligent thermal management, new energy-saving electromechanical steering system and Auto Start Stop function.

The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet’s chassis is packed with highly developed technology. Equipped as standard, PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) increases dynamic performance. Available as option for S models, PDCC (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) enhances dynamic performance further still. Dynamic engine mounts integrated as a part of optional Sport Chrono Package, are now offered in 911 Carrera for the first time. These offer perceptibly more stable handling under load change situations and also while cornering. The new 911 has lightweight composite construction in steel and aluminum. Used widely and in just right places, lightweight aluminum enhances dynamic performance and fuel economy and helps to achieve low weight to power ratio of 7.6 lb./hp.

The seven-speed manual transmission comes standard, while you can pay extra for PDK double clutch automatic transmission offered with sequential shifts. As per the company, the PDK will be a transmission of choice for most shoppers and would be wise to for the paddle shift equipped sport steering that fuses with PDK for providing splendid overall performance. The company has full faith in Convertible’s ability as sportscar and that is why it had no qualms about letting us take the vehicle to the racetrack. As per Porsche, it is 19% more rigid as compared to its predecessor and behaves so similar to Coupe on the track. It accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in the time range of 4.3 seconds with the top speed of 187mph.

Sum Up & Price

In Europe, the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is available for the price of £89,740, and is approximately £8,000 more as compared to equivalent coupes. The pricing for United States hasn’t been announced, but figure an equal level of price bump for Convertible.

Under acceleration on wet or low-grip road surfaces, Porsche Stability Management enhances traction using its ABD (automatic brake differential) and ASR (anti-slip regulation). When SPORT PLUS mode of the optional Sport Chrono Package is selected, the threshold is raised to allow sportier driving style. For even more dynamic experience, you always have an option for deactivating PSM. It is automatically reactivated, for your safety, only if you brake harder and either of the front wheels needs ABS assistance.

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