As expected of Germany's proud, independent sports car maker, any Cabriolet wearing the Porsche crest is far more than a Coupe with its roof removed. When Porsche engineers set out to develop the newest 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupes, they simultaneously worked on equivalent open-top models.

The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4S Cabriolet share the same internal 997 model designation as their Coupe siblings. They also share the Coupes' broad-shouldered lower body design necessary to accommodate their wide track, large wheels and tires. Other than their folding soft tops, the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Cabriolets boast the same essential architecture, interior appointments, suspensions, and potent new drivetrains as their Coupe stablemates.

The result is a pair of open-top sports cars that deliver the same exhilarating allweather acceleration and dynamic response as the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupes.

Highlights: New for 2009
Though the 2009 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Cabriolets boast several important refinements over the 2008 cars, the cars carry the same internal 997 designation as their immediate predecessors. Chief among those refinements are new, more powerful and fuel-efficient engines, the availability of Porsche's seven-speed doubleclutch transmission, the PDK, in place of the optional Tiptronic S, and a new all-wheel drive system borrowed from the awesome Porsche 911 Turbo.

The new, more potent and more fuel efficient engines boast direct fuel injection systems among other enhancements for improved performance and better fuel economy.

In lieu of the optional Tiptronic S transmission, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Cabriolet owners may now specify the driver-shiftable Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe, or PDK. This ground-breaking seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission is lighter, more efficient and quicker shifting than the previous Tiptronic S.

For 2009, engine power is distributed to all four wheels via the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management system found previously only on the Porsche Turbo. The electronic controls respond to driving conditions even more instantaneously than the previously used hydraulically activated all-wheel drive system.

Commensurate with the increased performance potential, Porsche engineers have increased the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Cabriolets' braking ability. Night visibility is also enhanced as both cars come standard with BI-XENON™ headlights and L.E.D. driving lights as well as brake- and taillights.

Driver and passenger comfort and convenience have also been enhanced for 2009 with the availability of ventilated front seats and through the redesign of the Porsche Communication Module which boasts a larger screen, simplified operation, Bluetooth® connectivity and the ability to play music from such external sources as an iPod® and MP3 players.

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