Porsche AG, Stuttgart, has lit the touchpaper for the next level of its model offensive: in October, the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet will hit the road – the first open sports car of this type.

The soft top of the Carrera 4S Cabriolet is made from high-quality fabric and features the revolutionary zig-zag folding. What’s more, it can be opened and closed at the touch of a button while driving. At speeds of up to 50 km/h, the driver can operate the convertible top simply by pushing a button. It takes a mere 20 seconds or so for the roof to unlock and fold back neatly beneath a protective cover. The characteristic light strip between the rear lights – one of the identifying features of the C4S models – is exactly the same as that on the Coupé. The attractive lines of the new Porsche are emphasized by its rear wing, which is 60 millimetres wider than that of the 911 Carrera.

When the roof is closed, the open 911 Carrera 4S with manual transmission can reach a maximum speed of 280 km/h, matching that of the Coupé. The Cabriolet can even master the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h in almost the same time as the Coupé: with a time of just 5.3 seconds, two tenths of a second behind the closed model – pretty impressive given the additional 70 kilogrammes in weight carried by the Cabriolet.

TThe brake system of the new Porsche Cabriolet adopted from the 911 Turbo delivers outstanding deceleration values. The perforated and internally ventilated brake discs with a diameter of 330 millimetres also play their part in the car’s performance. 18-inch light alloy wheels with tyres measuring 225/40 on the front axle and 295/30 on the rear axle transfer the braking power to the road. The car can – as is also the case with the Turbo – be fitted with the revolutionary ceramic brake system, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), on request.

The Carrera 4S Cabriolet comes with an extensive range of standard equipment. This includes metallic paint, full leather interior, hardtop and wind deflector. The car will be on sale in Germany at a cost of 99,792 euros (including VAT). The standard euro base price (excluding VAT and country-specific requirements) is 85,900 euros. In the United States, the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet will be available at a price of 93,200 dollars. The European market launch is scheduled for October 2003.

Text & Photos - Porsche