2009 Porsche 911: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Targa are substantially revised, with slightly freshened styling, more power, and a new automatic transmission. The 911 model lineup consists of rear-wheel-drive Carrera and Carrera S, plus all-wheel-drive Carrera 4, Carrera 4S, Targa 4, and Targa 4S. Carreras come as coupes and as Cabriolet convertibles with a power soft top and heated-glass rear window. The Targa 4 and 4S are coupes with a 4.8-square-foot power-sliding roof panel made of translucent glass. The 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo and GT2 models are largely unchanged. All 911s have rear-mounted, horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engines, either sized at 3.6 or 3.8 liters. Carrera and Targa 4 versions use a 3.6-liter engine with 345 hp, an increase of 20 from 2008. Carrera S and Targa 4S versions use the 3.8, which has 385 hp, an increase of 30 hp from 2008. The 911 Turbo has a turbocharged 3.6-liter engine of 480 hp. The ultra-high-performance GT2 has a 530-hp non-turbocharged 3.6-liter engine. The Turbo is available as a coupe or convertible, while the GT2 is a coupe only. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard. The Turbo is available with a 5-speed automatic. All Carrera models offer a new 7-speed automatic. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. The Turbo and GT2 have specific suspension tuning, brakes, and styling. A revised navigation system with a touch screen is optional.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and four-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buys are the Audi A5 and Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks are the BMW 1-Series, Jaguar XK Series, Porsche Boxster, and Porsche Cayman.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Nissan GT-R, and Porsche 911.