Porsche unveils Carrera 4 and 4S Coupe and Convertible (2008)

By Ben Whitworth

First Official Pictures

26 June 2008 11:54

Following on from the new 911 driven earlier this month, Porsche has expanded the line-up with the new all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and 4S, both in coupe and convertible form. And like the standard rear-drive Carrera, the 4 and 4S hides it’s new tech under its same-again styling – badging aside, only the 44mm wider rear haunches and that reflective band between the rear lights distinguish the two and four-wheel variants.

Well, there’s an all-new four-wheel drive system, for starters. Porsche has ditched the previous viscous multiple-plate clutch layout for its new electronically-controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) set-up, claiming better stability and enhanced dynamics from the quicker system. Initially developed for the 911 Turbo, the PTM has been modified for the Carrera and now features a mechanical limited slip diff on the rear axle.

Porsche claims the PTM system uses an electronically-controlled multi-plate clutch to metre out the exact amount of torque between front and rear axles. With the previous viscous system, only a maximum of 40% torque could be fed through the front axle – the new system’s infinitely variable torque splitter can shift up to 100% torque between front or rear axles, enhancing cornering stability and boosting all-weather traction.

The four-wheel drive versions share the standard Carrera's new direct injection powerplants, as well as the option of the new seven-speed PDK double-clutch transmission. Delivering more power from less fuel, the 3.6 and 3.8-litre flat sixes in the 4 and 4S return some pretty impressive economy figures: the 345bhp Carrera 4 coupe with PDK transmission gives 28mpg, while the 385bhp 4S cabriolet (again with PDK) returns 26.4mpg on the combined cycle.

Relax. You’ll have until the end of October before they go on sale here. The Carrera 4 coupe will cost £67,430 with the 4S coupe priced at £74,720. Sun lovers will pay extra – the 4 cabriolet has a £74,720 pricetag, with the 4S ragtop costing from £82,010.

The evolutionary styling may be unexciting, but we think the technology beneath the 911’s familiar shape has elevated Porsche’s icon onto another level. Anyone out there agree?

By Ben Whitworth