If you didn't note Agent 009's post the other day, Porsche showed off its all-new 991 convertibles this week.
While Agent 001 was off driving the coupe last weekend, he said it was a tremendously rewarding experience and that the 2012 911 has "an exhaust note better than a Ferrari." Obviously, that's a BOLD statement considering some of the notes I've heard belted from those Italian stallions; however, it's not a streeetch.
Porsche's six-cylinders do sound simply amazing.
Now imagine that with an open roof!
Speaking of which, one thing that's taken the auto business by storm are metal, folding convertible tops. Now that the technology has become lighter to implement, it seems everyone's making the push towards them.
Hell, even when Ferrari makes the jump -- on the upcoming 458 Spider -- you KNOW that there's something going on here.
With that said, did Porsche miss an opportunity to do something great with the all-new 911 OR was it smart for Porsche to keep a more traditional rag top?
What say you, Spies?
Porsche's press release follows:
Porsche is introducing two new cabriolet versions of the recently unveiled seventh-generation 911 Carrera. These new models, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet and 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, will go on sale in the United States in the spring of 2012.
Like the coupe, the 2012 911 Carrera cabriolet features innovative aluminum-steel construction with the addition of an all-new convertible top design, which preserves the typically sleek 911 coupe roof line. Intelligent lightweight design that includes extensive use of aluminum, magnesium and advanced high strength steel ensures lower vehicle mass and lower fuel consumption awhile offering improved driving dynamics and additional comfort. As with the 911 coupe models, the new Porsche open-top models are significantly lighter than their predecessors.
The new 911 Carrera cabriolet can accelerate from 0-60 in as little as 4.4 seconds and achieve a top-track-speed of 177 mph, while the 911 Carrera S cabriolet can reach 60 mph in as little as 4.1 seconds and has a top-track-speed of 187 mph.
Each of the two new cabriolets uses the same engine as their coupe equivalents. The rear of the 911 Carrera houses a 3.4 liter boxer six-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection (DFI) generating 350 horsepower (hp), driving the rear wheels through a standard seven-speed manual transmission or an optional PDK dual-clutch automated manual transmission. The open-top Carrera S comes with a 3.8- liter boxer six-cylinder DFI engine developing 400 hp. The open-top 911s are significantly more efficient than their predecessors; both models consume less than 10 L/100 km on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) figures will be available closer to the on-sale date.
With the longer wheelbase, wider front track and host of new features just introduced on the 911 Carrera and Carrera S models, the new cabriolet variants offer sportier driving characteristics, greater precision and agility and increased efficiency.
On sale in the spring of 2012, the 911 Carrera Cabriolet MSRP is $93,700, while the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet MSRP begins at $108,000.
2012 Porsche 911 USA Launch Photo Gallery
