Porsche Carrera 911 2012 Review

It's the "slowest" new Porsche 911 but, hey, measured against most other cars, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet is indecently quick - all Porsches are.

VALUE

We would tick both these boxes if we were spending the $259,000 for this car. It's a shed load of cash but you are getting arguably the best quality mainstream car money can buy because Porsche is made of quality components and materials by by highly qualified people who take utmost pride in their work.

TECHNOLOGY

This particular car weighs in at 1500kg - 85 kgs more than the hard-top Carrera coupe due to underfloor chassis reinforcements and it has the "entry level" 3.6-litre boxer six-cylinder 254kW/390Nm engine. It means the Carrera Cabriolet puts away a 0-100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds and tops out at a speed we can't say -  but fast.

So, slow it most certainly isn't. The test car was optioned with a dual clutch 'manumatic' transmission called PDK in Porsche acronym speak. It also had optional Sports Chrono which brings with it launch control that further aids off-the-line acceleration.

DESIGN

We have seen it first hand. The 911 Cab is a sports car in the truest sense as it has a folding soft top that tucks away somewhere behind the rudimentary rear seats. This is a 2+2 at a pinch. The roof operates electrically up to speeds of about 15km/h which is really handy in inclement weather or at traffic lights.

Porsche paid particular attention to the roof structure which holds the soft top tight as a drum at all speeds, even with the windows down. Those weight adding underbody reinforcements do their job because the 911 Cab' feels rock solid with the roof up or down.

The Cabrio offers roof down sports motoring with plenty of luxury including premium audio, heated and electrically adjustable seats, 40 gig audio hard drive and a touch screen that's simple and logical to use.

SAFETY

It has six air bags and sports stability control that doesn't intrude when you are having a go.

DRIVE

The engine features direct fuel injection as well as variable cam timing and other clever technology to optimise its output. The oil pump is variable depending on demand. Handling is supreme especially with the sport plus button activated. It firms up all dynamic functions and changes the gear map for the transmission into full manual - no unwanted up or down changes unless you select them.

The steering is typically engaging thanks in part to the engine being rear/amidships and not compromising steering system placement. It has monumental brakes and the optional 19-inch wheels with wide rubber should also be seriously considered for aesthetics as well as grip.

The seven-speed PDK can be left to its own devices in D or operated by the selector stick or buttons on the steering wheel - the only aspect of this car we don't really like (they should be paddles on the steering column). The sound is unbelievable, the feel amazing, the looks arresting and the acceleration gratifying. Where do we sign. 

VERDICT

We love this car though it wouldn't be our choice given the opportunity. That would be the yet to be released Carrera GTS.

P0RSCHE CARRERA 911 CABRIOLET

Price: from $229,900
Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kilometres
Service interval: 15,000km/12 months
Safety: 5-star ANCAP, six air bags, sports stability control
Engine: 3.6 litre in-line six-cylinder, 254kW/390Nm
Body: Two-door coupe
Weight: 1500 kg
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch manual