2006 Porsche Carrera Review

Wide-Body AWD 911 Comes in Carrera and Carrera S Models

There are many benefits to driving a car with four powered wheels, with traction in wet or snowy conditions being the most obvious.

Porsche initially offered all-wheel drive on its mid-80s 959 supercar, and then followed up with a four-wheel motivated 964 C4 in 1989. C4 and C4S models were offered in 993 and 996 body styles, plus came standard with the Cayenne SUV, of course, and now that the new 2006 Carrera 4 Coupe is debuting, more than 20 years of all-wheel drive Porsches make quite a legacy.

The new model will deliver a great deal more performance when it becomes available later this year, from larger, more finely tuned engines, more resistant brakes, and more dynamic handling characteristics, than any previous all-wheel drive Carrera.

Available for the first time with two engines, the standard unit being Porsches recently upgraded 325-horsepower 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer that powers the regular rear-wheel drive 2005 911 Carrera, zipping the sprightly coupe to 60 mph in only 5.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 174 mph. Ive driven this car, and the enhanced engine is not just incrimentally quicker, but smoother too. The same goes for the glorious six-speed manual gearbox, a big improvement over the outgoing transmission. Ive also tested it with the Tiptronic transmission, and this side of a sequential manual the five-speed automatic performs among the best in its class.

The second engine will be fitted to Carrera 4S (C4S) models, featuring 355-horsepower via a 3.8-liter flat-six, which is enough to push it to 60 mph in a mere 4.6 seconds and keep the momentum going to a terminal velocity of 179 mph. Again, Ive tested this engine out too, on the race track no less. It displays a stunning improvement over the base engine, feeling more like a Turbo than a naturally aspirated horizontally opposed six. Actually, after a few laps in a rear-wheel drive Carrera S I completely fell head over heals. I think I like it more than the Turbo, but Id have to test one back to back before making such an affirmative declaration. No doubt, the C4S will only add greater traction, albeit with a slight weight penalty.

The most noticeable exterior modifications of both all-wheel drive models are their 44 mm (1 ¾ inch) wider flanks, expanded to accommodate the Carrera 4s larger 295/35ZR 18 tires, and the Carrera 4S 305/30 ZR 19 larger rear tires.

The automaker also included its enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system, optimized for shorter stopping distances and greater control in slippery conditions. PSM, as fitted to the Carrera 4S, features two additional functions to improve braking performance, the first being preemptive braking design that pre-fills the hydraulic pump in order to reduce the air gap between the pads and the disk and therefore shorten stopping distances before full braking power is applied. This process is especially effective if “the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly but not forcefully,” says Porsche.

The all-wheel drive system is more or less carryover from the 996 C4S, comprised of a multi-disk viscous coupling that transfers between five and forty percent of output to the front wheels when a reduction of traction occurs.

Porsche will also make the Carrera 4 available with its new Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system for the first time. Standard on the Carrera 4S, PASM lets the driver choose between a comfort-oriented ride and a high-performance track-tuned setup, optimizing the cars ride/handling equation to make the most of road conditions, and more importantly, a drivers mood swings. It really works too, unlike some systems that merely firm up the shock absorbers. While I didnt drive the all-wheel drive car, I was able to play with PASM in a rear-drive CS and enjoyed the suspension rigidity that could literally be dialed in on the fly, ideal for those moments when leaving a rough country lane for a glassy smooth open highway.

When on the track the Carreras optional Sport Chrono Plus package is a technophiles dream. Capable of counting laps, keeping track of a drivers best time and displaying all laps on a digital graph, the Sport Chrono Plus package also modifies the cars engine management characteristics plus the behavior of PSM and PASM systems. I think this is my favorite car-toy yet. With the flick of a column-mounted lever, I was able to set my lap interval, and keep track of my times by tapping the lever each time I passed my predesignated position. The graphics are great, showing each lap on a bar graph. One glance and I was immediately reminded of the corners I got wrong, and fortunately, the ones that I was able to execute with a modicum of professionalism. While this tool isnt for everyone, those who might find themselves at the local race track for a little weekend fun every now and then, will want to make the investment.

The new 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Carrera 4S Coupe will be available across the nation this fall at a price of $77,100 for the Carrera 4 Coupe, and $87,100 for the Carrera 4S Coupe.

Yes, thats a lot of money. But truthfully, now that the interior has been improved to premium car levels, any new 911 is as luxuriously appointed as it is fabulous to drive. The car makes heros out of novice drivers, unlike older 911s which were a bit of a handful in the wet especially, and now looks as attractive as any 911 ever has… well except for a pristine 73 RS. What can I say? Old flames are never forgotten.