Porsche has expanded the 992 generation 911 model range to include the base Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet models. Porsche debuted the 992 generation with the Carrera S and followed it up with the 4S models, but this base spec Carrera will now mark the entry point in to the 911 family. It gets the same engine with lower power and torque outputs, a few downgraded chassis bits and a few visual differentiators to correspond with its lower price.
The Carrera S gets the same 3-litre twin-turbocharged flat six engine that now makes 380bhp (where the S makes 444bhp) and 449Nm. The Carrera gets different turbochargers from the Carrera S – they have smaller turbine wheels inside the turbo housings which should improve responses courtesy lower inertia. The Carrera accelerates from 0-100kmph a little slower, taking 4 seconds though this time drops to 3.8 seconds with the optional sports chrono package – both a 0.2 second improvement over the 991 generation 911 Carrera. Meanwhile the Carrera S takes 4.2 seconds for the same sprint, dropping to 4 seconds if the Sports Chrono pack is specced. The Carrera has a top speed of 293kmph while the Cabriolet will accelerate up to 290kmph.
There’s a lot similar between the Carrera and the Carrera S, including Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) along with electronically variable damping and two modes – normal, and sport. What has changed is the wheels – the Carrera gets 19s up front and 20s at the rear compared to the 20-21 combination that the Carrera S comes with. However, you can upsize the wheels as an option. The Carrera also comes with smaller 330mm brakes with 4-piston calipers on all four wheels.
Visually, the Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet can be told apart from their S counterparts by the smaller wheels and the tailpipes. Where the S comes fit with twin round tail-pipes on either side, the standard Carrera comes with single rectangular pipes on either side. If specced with the optional sports exhaust, then they get two oval pipes on either side.
The Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet will be more affordable than their S models. Porsche has confirmed that Carrera 4 models will soon follow, though there is no word on a manual gearbox yet.