Porsche launches 2015 911 Carrera in the UK

Porsche has launched the latest 911 Carrera and Carrera S. Here’s what is new in the cars.

New engines " better performance and better efficiency

The biggest change is that for the first time, the 911 Carreras come with a twin-turbocharged flat-six engine. Porsche say that this engine makes the new 911 Carreras faster and more efficient than their predecessors. This new 3.0-litre engine produces 20PS more than the outgoing engine. This means that the Carrera will make 370PS and the Carrera S will produce 420PS. Although the two cars share the same engine, the Carrera S uses modified turbine compressors in its turbo chargers, a different exhaust system along with a tuned engine management to make those 50 extra horses. The torque on this has been upped on this engine by 60Nm. The Carrera can deliver 450Nm while the Carrera S can make 500Nm of torque. Porsche also say that the maximum engine speed of this car is good 7,500rpm.

Porsche claims that the new 911 Carrera Coupé can hit the 100kmph mark in 4.2 seconds from a standstill when equipped with the Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) and Sport Chrono Package. Equipped with the same options, the company claims that the 911 Carrera S can hit the same mark in 3.9 seconds. Both these cars are .2 seconds quicker than their predecessors and also have been claimed to have a higher top speed. Porsche say that the 911 Carrera can hit around to 295kmph while the 911 Carrera S can do 307kmph.

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The company also claims a 12 per cent increase in efficiency depending on the model. Porsche maintains that the 911 Carrera with the PDK transmission will return 16.2kmpl while the 911 Carrera S will return 15.6kmpl with the PDK transmission. The emission figures are 169 g/km CO2 for the Carrera PDK and 174 g/km CO2 for the Carrera S PDK.

‘Mode’ switch with Sport Response Button

With the optional Sport Chrono Package, the new 911s will feature a ‘mode’ switch on the steering wheel, similar to the one on the 918 Spyder. The switch allows the driver to choose between four modes " Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. The last mode, as the name suggests, allows the driver to adjust various functions such as the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), the PDK transmission shifting strategy and also the sports exhaust system. In addition to that, the cars will get a Sport Response Button in combination with the PDK transmission. When pressed, electronic wizardry anticipates an overtake manoeuvre and readies the drivetrain for maximum acceleration for 20 seconds. This adjustment includes ensuring that the optimal gear is engaged and also adjusting the engine management systems for quicker responses.

Reworked Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) chassis as standard

As standard, all the Carrera models will get the PASM chassis. This system reduces the ride height by 10mm to improve cornering stability. The 911 Carreras also get better dampers for increased comfort and body control. They also feature new wheels with the rear rim width has been increased to 11.5inch (.5inch larger). The 911 Carreras have the ditched the previous 295mm tyres for 305s.

For the first time, the 911 Carrera S is offered with the optional rear-axle steering technology (four-wheel steering) that was developed for the 911 Turbo, the 911 GT3 and the 918 Spyder. This system improves manoeuvrability at high speeds on highways and also in congested cities because of its turning circle reduction of 0.5m. To improve the everyday practicality, the 911 Carreras can be had with the optional hydraulic lift system. This uses integrated lifting cylinders in the front axle struts to increase the ground clearance at the nose by 40mm within five seconds.

Updated Porsche Communication Management (PCM)

The new PCM on the 911 Carreras supports multi-touch gestures on the seven-inch display unit, along with handwriting inputs. Smartphone connectivity is available via WiFi and Bluetooth. The car also features the Apple CarPlay system.

The navigation system gets real-time traffic information and will be integrated with Google Earth and Google Streetview. The new PCM also features Porsche Car Connect and the Porsche Connect app which can be used to activate the remote control vehicle functions and to stream music from third-party providers.

New and improved optional driver assistant systems

The optional automatic speed control can also brake moderately while going downhill when there is a pre-set speed. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) option, combined with the PDK transmission, supports a coasting function that disengages the clutches in traffic to save fuel. The Lane Change Assist (also optional) monitors the traffic behind the car using radar, and warns the driver of approaching vehicles using the LED lamps on either sides of the mirror triangle. As standard though, the 911 Carreras feature a multi-collision braking system.

Reworked exteriors

The latest 911 Carreras get new headlights with four-point daytime running lights, new taillights with the four-point brake light Porsche motif, handles set into the door panel without recess covers and a redesigned engine lid with vertical louvers. Additionally, it gets redesigned wheels with five slim twin spokes.

Standard equipment list

The standard equipment list on the new Porsche 911 Carreras include leather interior, sports seats, the seven-inch PCM colour touchscreen system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a Sport button, Bi-Xenon headlights, Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM), tyre pressure monitoring, an anti-theft Porsche Vehicle Tracking system, three year warranty and a three year roadside assistance package.

The new Porsche 911 Carreras are currently on sale in the UK and could make it to India eventually.

The 911 Carreras retail in UK at the following prices:

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