The Porsche 911 lineup starts with the Carrera ($71,300), powered by a 3.6-liter version of Porsche's classic flat six-cylinder engine generating 325 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Standard equipment includes leather-trimmed height-adjustable seats with power recliners, a digital AM/FM/CD stereo, trip computer, leather telescoping steering wheel, power windows, power locks with keyless remote, cruise control, 18-inch wheels and a speed-dependent retractable rear spoiler. The Carrera Cabriolet ($81,400) is similarly equipped.
The Carrera S ($81,400) and Carrera S Cabriolet ($91,400) are powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder, delivering 355 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Besides the bigger engine, the Carrera S gets the Porsche Active Suspension Management system (PASM), 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes with painted red calipers, Bi-Xenon headlights, a sport steering wheel and aluminum-look interior trim. The Carrera S Cabriolet is similarly equipped.
The new Carrera 4 ($77,100) is equipped similarly to the standard rear-drive Carrera, but with the added advantage of all-wheel drive. There are also other tweaks, such as larger standard wheels and tires, and the wider fenders needed to accommodate them. The same idea holds for the Carrera 4S ($87,100), Carrera 4 Cabriolet ($87,100), and Carrera 4S Cabriolet ($97,100).
The 911 Turbo models are based on the older platform (known within Porsche as the 996), but are impressive cars nonetheless. The all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo S ($131,400) gets Porsche's race-bred, twin-turbocharged version of the 3.6-liter engine, creating a whopping 444 horsepower. The Turbo S comes with Porsche's Ceramic Composite Brakes, which use exotic nonmetallic discs, and comfort and convenience upgrades such as full leather interior and a high-power, Bose-tuned stereo with a six-disc CD changer. The Turbo S Cabriolet ($141,200) features a power-operated convertible top.
Safety features on all models include Porsche Stability Management, an electronically controlled system that helps a driver maintain control in the event of a skid. Carrera coupes employ curtain-style head protection airbags, which deploy from the doors and augment the front and side-impact torso airbags.
A long list of options is available, ranging from a roof-transport system that can turn a 911 into a building material or bike-hauling workhorse to Ceramic Composite Brakes that can further its other hauling roles. Options include Porsche Communication Management, which incorporates audio, navigation system, and trip computer into a single control interface ($2,680); heated seats ($410); metallic paint ($825); and a CD changer ($715). The 911 can be personalized with Deviating Front Seat Stitching Color ($335), a Leather Dome Lamp Cover ($335), or Non-Metallic Paint to Sample ($4,315), where Porsche will match any color your heart desires. Porsche maintains its long tradition of factory customization, with options that cover colors and materials for virtually every part or surface inside the car. And if there's not an existing option, Porsche will likely go off the card, for a price. Ostrich door pulls or jade-faced pedals might be doable. It never hurts to ask.