Porsche 911 Carrera 2013

Porsche 911 Carrera 2013

The S is the top performing rear-wheel-drive iteration of the iconic 911 Carrera model, that is, before things get really intense with Porsche's GT3 and GT2 versions. The latest 911 Carrera S mirrors the styling changes found throughout the rest of the 911 lineup, from the entry-level Coupe to the Convertibles, which are subtle but notable in a model with a design that changes at a somewhat glacial pace.

For starters, the length of the wheelbase has been extended by a noteworthy 3.9 inches, while the roof was slightly lowered for a sportier overall stance. Underneath, Porsche fitted aggressively sized 20-inch wheels in a variety of new styles based on the packages and options chosen.

An aerodynamically-focused adjustment was applied to the side mirrors, moving them to the upper edge of the door for less resistance. The front fascia is likely the most familiar compared to the outgoing model, although tweaks can be found to the dimensions and lines throughout.

Step around to the back, however, and it should be quite apparent that an entirely new design scheme has been applied, with the sleek and modern tail lamps taking center stage as the most eye-grabbing feature of the tail. Of course, the bumper has been totally reshaped as well, sporting a sweeping and gentle curve at the waist line, but then forming a crisp crease along the lower half, just above the exhaust.

Of course, the changes are far more than skin deep. The body of the new 911 is made from an aluminum-steel construction, providing for as much as 99 pounds of weight reduction compared to the outgoing model. Despite being lighter, Porsche says the new body offers "significantly greater rigidity" as well.

Delving inside the 911 Carrera S's changes - literally - will reveal a new interior that Porsche says was largely modeled from the Carrera GT supercar (though it also bears a striking resemblance to the Panamera sedan). The cockpit is now more driver-focused, featuring a center console that rises up towards the front with the gear shifter or selector closer to the steering wheel. Not all interior details are new, however, as Porsche stuck with a traditional five round gauge cluster arrangement, with one gauge being a high-resolution multifunction screen.

The Power of a Porsche
Under the rear deck lid resides a 3.8-liter flat-six that produces 400 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, up from 350 ponies and 287 lb-ft in the standard 911 Carerra. Sending that power to the rear wheels is a standard (and world-first) seven-speed manual transmission with an extra-tall top gear for quieter and more economical highway cruising, while a seven-speed PDK (Porsche-speak for a dual-clutch paddle-shifted gearbox) is available as an extra-cost option.

Porsche says that the 911 Carrera S is capable of a 4.3 second sprint from zero-to-sixty when equipped with the PDK, while an optional Sport Chrono package cuts that time down to 4.1 seconds. Porsche's factory acceleration estimates are widely regarded as conservative, however, so don't be surprised to find that real-world sprints occur a few ticks quicker than claimed.

All that performance doesn't come at the expense of fuel economy: Porsche claims that the latest 911 Carrera S is 16 percent more efficient than the outgoing model while also producing 16 percent fewer carbon emissions. Officially, the car is rated at 19/27 mpg with the manual gearbox and 20/27 with the PDK. The environmental gains are attributable to the use of automatic engine start/stop technology, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the highly ratio-endowed gearboxes as well as new electro-mechanical power steering with improved efficiency.

The 911 Carrera S isn't just focused on efficiency and straight-line acceleration, of course. Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S, reduces lateral inclination when cornering by allowing the tires to always be in the optimal position relative to the road surface, allowing the car to sustain higher lateral forces.

Optional Features
As with other Porsches, the 911 Carrera S can be had with a nearly infinite variety of optional features and packages - for a price. Inside, four different types of seats can be had, while buyers can also spec aluminum, wood, carbon fiber or alcantara trim. Audiophiles can choose between Bose or Burmester sound systems, the latter with 821 watts of crisp-sounding output.

Highlights from the performance options include Ceramic Composite Brakes that provide reduced stopping distances with little fade, a Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) electronically controlled damper system and the Sport Chrono Package, which includes features like analog and digital stopwatches and Dynamic Engine Mounts that improve cornering stability.

Occupant Safety

The 911 Carrera S is fitted as standard with front, side, thorax, knee and head airbags in addition to traction and stability control systems and ABS.

Key Competitors
Rivals to the 911 Carrera S include the athletic yet forgiving Audi R8, the stylish Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the devilishly quick Nissan GT-R.

Porsche 911 Carrera Official Video: