Porsche Carrera 2009

Porsche has unveiled the all-wheel-drive 2009 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S in coupe and cabriolet guises after the launch of its rear-wheel-drive sibling earlier this month.

Featuring the same 3.6- and 3.8-litre engines, the Carrera 4/4S offers up to 8.5 per cent more power, up to 12.9 per cent more fuel economy, and 15.4 per cent lower CO2 emissions than its predecessor. For example, a Carrera 4 Coupé with the PDK dual-clutch transmission consumes a mere 10.1 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres - outstanding figures for a performance car.

The new generation of the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S also features an electronically controlled PTM Porsche Traction Management, replacing the former all-wheel drive with its viscous multiple-plate clutch. This superior system developed for the 911 Turbo and modified for the Carrera models combines an even higher standard of driving stability, traction and agile handling further enhanced by the mechanical rear axle differential fitted as standard.