The fabled wide-body, four-wheel-drive versions of the Porsche 911 Carrera return for the 2006
model year in the guise of the 911 Carrera 4 and the even more powerful 911 Carrera 4S.
The four-wheel-drive versions of the Porsche 911 Carrera have particularly muscular physiques.
They are nearly two inches wider than their two-wheel-drive counterparts.
Both the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S feature flared wheel arches to accommodate a widened track,
larger wheels and tires and four-wheel-drive powertrains that give the venerable Porsche 911
additional dimensions of dynamic stability, especially in inclement weather conditions.
As a further development of this newest generation of Porsche’s four-wheel-drive 911 Carrera, the 2006 911 Carrera 4 and 2006 911 Carrera 4S are equipped with enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM) technology that showcases two new braking system improvements engineered to provide the shortest possible stopping distances, a dynamic category in which all Porsche vehicles already are among the best in the world.
With its 325-horsepower (SAE), 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, the sure-footed 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 is capable of accelerating from a standing start to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds on its way to a top speed on the test track of 174 mph (280 km/h).
With its even more powerful 355-horsepower (SAE), 3.8-liter “boxer” six, the 2006 Porsche
Carrera 4S sprints to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 4.6 seconds and does not top out on the
test track until it has reached 179 mph (288 km/h).
But like all Porsches, the four-wheel-drive coupes provide balanced dynamic control,
with turning and braking capabilities just as impressive as the figures on the speedometer.
Porsche’s four-wheel-drive system uses a viscous multiple-plate clutch to send power to a central
driveshaft that feeds a front differential to turn the front wheels with between 5 and 40 percent of the engine’s torque. This power distribution provides enhanced directional stability and balanced power and traction through turns and on slippery surfaces.
Torque split to the front wheels automatically adjusts between 5 and 40 percent to maintain superior traction. By sending no more than 40 percent of power to the front wheels, the four-wheel-drive 911 Carrera models exhibit dynamic characteristics similar to the rear-drive versions, so they tend not understeer or “push” toward the outside over the front wheels in turning maneuvers.
The four-wheel-drive models also receive special aerodynamic tuning so that, even with their
wider bodies, the 2006 Porsche Carrera 4 and 2006 Porsche Carrera 4S slice easily through
the air. Because of changes needed to fit their front differential under the hood of the car, the fourwheel- drive models also can be equipped with a larger fuel tank, adding nearly a gallon of capacity.
Inside, the 2006 Porsche Carrera 4 and 2006 Porsche Carrera 4S feature high grades of leather
seating and audio options, and a Porsche Communication Management (PCM®) system as standard equipment. The Porsche Sports Chrono Package Plus and DVD-based navigation for the PCM
system are among the available options.
An additional update for the 2006 model year is two-stage front airbag technology as standard
equipment. The passenger seat features weight sensors that automatically switch off the
passenger airbag when child seats are detected.