Porsche 911 (992) Carrera Cabriolet – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
Removing the roof the car is supposed to have little impact on its chassis stiffness and curvy road prowess, but Porsche tells us that the current generation 911 cabriolet drives just as well as the coupe. We say, it is pretty close which is a huge achievement and we can make the case that the cabriolet 911 does everything so well that you should choose it over the coupe.
Just like last generation, Porsche offered the Cabriolet in Carrera S and Carrera 4S versions to start, and more recently gave us the Cabriolet GTS and Cabriolet 4 GTS versions too, in addition to the Turbo and Turbo S Cabriolet models. The current base cabriolet is built on Porsche’s new MMB platform like the rest of the 992 lineup. That means it will remain stiff even without its roof thanks to additional structural elements in the floor and firewall as well as the new engine mounts.
These new improvements allow Porsche to offer the Sports PDCC Chassis option. This was only offered on the coupe version of the 911 previously. Because the new Cabriolet is so stiff it can now handle the option. The 911 Cabriolet’s roof can go down in a quick 12 seconds. You can raise or lower it up to 31 mph, which is a nice feature. Porsche added magnesium structural elements to the drop top to keep it from ballooning at high speeds. When up, the car keeps the coupe’s overall shape well. If you drop it, the soft top folds down and has no cover, a feature typical for the brand.
Powering the base Cabriolet is the same impressive turbocharged flat-six engine that makes 379 bhp @ 6500 rpm and 331 ft lbs of torque. The base cabriolet can do the 0 to 60 mph run in 4.2 seconds flat. With the optional Sport Chrono Package that drops to 4.0 seconds. It sure sounds to me like you don’t lose much when you go with the 911 Cabriolet in terms of performance. You just gain the option to drop the top on a sunny day and the base cabriolet clearly offers very good performance and driving dynamics for a reasonable (for a 911) price.
While marginally larger and heavier than the 991-generation model it replaced, the 992 is also more advanced. The architecture is more aluminium-intensive, it sports wider tracks, and Porsche’s turbocharged engines which have been fettled for even more power and torque. And while the exterior styling is a gentle evolution – bulkier in some areas, but sleeker in others – the cabin has undergone a more comprehensive transformation, with new interfaces and a contemporary, but still distinctively 911 in character.
The car also features 19-inch wheels at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear. Providing the stopping power are four-piston calipers. These are slightly smaller than the ones on the Carrera S. When you go inside the car, you’ll notice that it features essentially the same cabin as other 911s. It offers the same 10.9-inch PCM infotainment system and central rev counter with two high-definition displays.
Updates and Pricing for 2022
Pricing for the current Porsche 911 Cabriolet starts at $115,350 in the U.S (a $13,000 premium versus the coupe) and as always you can load them up with all the options you can point a stick at, which balloons the price. Even a standard Carrera cabriolet is not light on equipment so you don’t need to spend much more to get something that is right for you. They have standard features such as four-way adjustable sports seats, LED headlights, climate control, keyless go and cruise control as standard, as well as leather seats and that large 10.9-inch central display.
The 2022 Carrera includes 19-inch alloy wheels (front), 20-inch alloy wheels (rear), an auto-deploying rear spoiler, and cruise control. Also standard are LED exterior lights (auto on-off headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights), keyless entry with push-button start, and a Homelink transceiver. Other features include dual-zone automatic climate control, partially power-adjustable front sport seats, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. An auto-dimming rearview mirror and two USB ports are also standard.
Porsche upgraded the infotainment system on the 2022 911 to include a new 10.9-inch touchscreen interface that the company calls both simplified and flexible in its personalization. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay, and for the first time, the 911 gets Android Auto compatibility. Porsche also extended its connected services from one year to three years before reverting to a subscription model. Those services include natural voice commands activated by “Hey Porsche,” online map updates, and navigation with real-time traffic info. Satellite radio also gets a three-month trial.
The 911 is a little short on driver aids. Included are front-rear park assist and forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking. As with every Porsche, the list of options and option packages for every 911 grade seems endless. You can easily rack up tens of thousands of dollars in extras. For example, the Premium Package ($5,300) adds adaptive headlights, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, a surround-view camera, lane-changing assist, ventilated seats, and more. For $2,000, you can add adaptive cruise control. The 13-speaker 300-watt Burmester surround-sound audio system will set you back $5,560. Adding the $1,350 destination fee to the 911 Carrera base price brings the total to $115,350.
Pictures
Press Release
Atlanta, Georgia. July 29, 2019
Strong addition: The 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet
379 hp 911 Carrera models debut starting at $97,400
Porsche is expanding the model range of the new 911. Following the introduction of the 911 Carrera S and 4S models, the new standard 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet complement the line-up.
Like the 2020 911 Carrera S and 4S models, the new 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat six engine. In the 911 Carrera models, it is fitted with model-specific turbochargers, developing 379 hp at 6,500 rpm (nine horsepower more than the previous 911 Carrera models) and 331 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,950 to 5,000 rpm. Fitted with the standard 8-speed PDK (Porsche Doppelkupplung) transmission, the 2020 911 Carrera accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds. When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package, this time drops to 3.8 seconds. Both times represent an improvement of 0.2 seconds compared to the previous 911 Carrera Coupe with PDK. The 2020 911 Carrera Cabriolet offers similar performance, reaching 60 mph from standstill in just 4.2 seconds, and in 4.0 seconds flat when equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package. Top track speed is 182 mph for the 911 Carrera and 180 mph for the 911 Carrera Cabriolet.
The new 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet are equipped with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management). Like on the 911 Carrera S and 4S models, the electronically variable damping system comes standard and offers two selectable modes, “Normal” and “Sport”, emphasizing ride quality and handling. The wheels on the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet feature a staggered diameter, measuring 19 inches at the front and 20 inches at the rear. They are fitted with 235/40 ZR 19 and 295/35 ZR 20 tires, respectively. Larger wheels with a staggered 20/21-inch diameter (standard on 911 Carrera S and 4S models) are optionally available. The standard internally ventilated and perforated grey cast-iron brake rotors on the 2020 911 Carrera models measure 13.0 inches front and rear and feature black four-piston calipers. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) can be ordered as an extra. Like on the S models, Wet Mode is included as standard equipment. This function automatically detects water on the road, preconditions the stability control and anti-lock brake systems accordingly, and warns the driver. The driver can then call up vehicle settings particularly suited for wet roads at push of a button, or by means of the mode switch on the steering wheel (when fitted with the optional Sport Chrono Package).
Visually, the 911 Carrera models are characterized by the same striking design cues as the more powerful S variants, such as the clearly defined fender arches and front luggage compartment lid with a recess reminiscent of classic 911 models, as well as the full-width LED light strip stretching across the rear. The only visual distinction between the standard 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S/4S derivatives are the exhaust openings in the rear fascia. To differentiate between the engine variants, the standard 911 Carrera models feature one rectangular, single-tube tailpipe on each side, while the S models are fitted with a set of round twin-tailpipes on each side. The optional Sport Exhaust system distinguished by two oval tailpipes can be ordered for all models.
Inside, the new 911 Carrera shares the interior with the previously introduced S models, including re-designed seats, the traditional centrally positioned tachometer, and the new Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with a 10.9 inch touch screen and improved connectivity. A control panel of five buttons with the look of classic toggle switches creates the transition to the center console controls
The 2020 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet are available to order now and are expected to reach U.S. dealers in early 2020. The MSRP for the 911 Carrera is $97,400, while the 911 Carrera Cabriolet retails for $110,200 – both not including the $1,350 delivery, processing and handling fee. The all-wheel drive versions of these models will be announced soon.
