Porsche has taken a can opener to the 911 Turbo and Turbo S Coupe models, bringing breezier cabriolet motoring to the latest models in the range.
The new 911 Turbo S will become the most expensive 911 when it goes on sale in December of this year, priced from an eye-watering £149,511. The Turbo Cabriolet starts from £126,766 before any extras.
Both new models, unveiled as part of the 40th anniversary of the 911, use the engines of their respective hardtop cousins. So in the Turbo S Cabriolet expect a 560hp 3.8-litre six-cylinder engine capable of blasting from 0 to 62mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 197mph. In the Turbo, the same engine delivers a more ‘modest’ 520hp, bringing the 0 to 62mph time up to 3.5 seconds.
Because of the extra weight in strengthening the topless 911, the 0 to 62mph time is three tenths of a second slower for the 911 Turbo and one tenth slower for the Turbo S compared with its coupe equivalents, while the top speed remains the same.
Both models can return 28.5mpg while coughing out CO2 emissions of 231g/km, an impressive feat when you consider the sheer performance on offer.
Opening and closing the roof can be done at up to 37mph and the fabric roof is fitted to a magnesium frame designed to mirror the hardtop roof’s profile.
Whether you like it or not, you get a PDK dual-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive, so there’s no chance of you messing up a gear change and less chance of you stacking your new open-top motor into a tree when the heavens descend.
To further aid handling, the rear-axle steering found in the Turbo Coupe makes it over to both new Cabriolet models. Electromechanical actuators can adjust the angle of the rear wheels when cornering by up to 2.8 degrees.
At low speeds, the rear-axle steering is designed to improve steering response and make parking easier by turning the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels. Go over 50mph and the rear corners turn with the front wheels to improve stability.
As you would expect from a car that costs as much as some houses, you get a fair few mod cons to enjoy as you cruise about with the wind flowing through your hair bald patch. There’s a Bose sound system, adaptive cruise control, road sign detection, bi-xenon headlights and navigation.
In the pricier Turbo S, you also get seats that can memorise up to 18 different seat adjustments and a unique interior.
The two new 911 Cabriolet models will debut at the LA Auto Show in November 2013. The mid-life crisis doesn’t come included.
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