Following the leaked photo gallery we released over the weekend, Porsche released official details of the Porsche 991 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models that will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show next month. The latest addition to the Porsche 991 family gets an all-wheel drive system and a couple of styling updates to make the changes recognisable.
The new four-wheel drive Porsche 911 hits the market in four variants, the 911 Carrera 4 and 911 Carrera 4S and each as Coupé and Cabriolet. Each version closely resembles its rear-wheel drive counterpart. Distinguishing features include wider wheels arches, the 22mm extension hides rear tyres that are 10mm wider. Porsche also fitted the traditional red light band that connects the two taillights.
The Carrera 4 models get the same architecture as all other Porsche 991 models. This means that the Carrera 4 is 65kg lighter than the outgoing 997 model. Both models get a 7-speed manual gearbox as standard, and the Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) gearbox is available as an option. Both will also feature a new all-wheel drive indicator found in the instrument cluster, Porsche Active Safe which helps to prevent front-facing collisions, an optional sliding glass sunroof and an extended Sport Chrono pack that automatically double-declutches during downshifts.
The Carrera 4 features a 3.4 litre straight six engine producing 350hp. This means it is capable of a sprint from zero to 100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds which rises to 4.7 seconds for the Cabriolet, and a top speed of up to 285km/h, reduced to 282km/h for the Cabriolet. The Carrera 4S features the 3.8 litre straight six with 400hp, enough to ensure zero to 100km/h sprints in 4.1 seconds with the Cabriolet performing slightly slower at 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 299km/h or 296km/h for the Cabriolet.
The previous generation Carrera 4 models racked up sales of 24,000 units. Naturally, Porsche aims to increase these figures for the 991 range. The 4 and 4S models will be unveiled at the 2012 Paris International Motor Show with deliveries at the end of 2012. Prices in Germany are 97,557 euros for the 911 Carrera 4 Coupé and 110,290 euros for the Cabriolet. The 911 Carrera 4 S costs 112,313 euros as a Coupé and 125,046 euros as a Cabriolet. All prices include 19 per cent VAT and country-specific features.