Edmunds Inside Line - First Drive: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

Merc1 · 07-17-2007, 12:36 AM

The 911 To Be Seen In

Shared Motivation

You already know all about the Cabrio's twin-turbocharged 480-hp, 3.6-liter power plant, since it's unchanged from the coupe. Headlines include variable-geometry turbo whiz-bangery, which generates quicker boost response by varying the velocity of the exhaust gas reaching the turbines.

The result? Torque production responds to the position of your right foot with commendable linearity. Mat the throttle and there's only the tiniest pause before the Turbo's formidable reservoir of torque is channeled forth through all four wheels, hurling the car forward effortlessly. The Turbo engine might not have the urgent yowl of the 911 GT3's normally aspirated engine, but there's still the unmistakable flat-6 wail and an intake whoosh that the alfresco Cabrio makes even more noticeable.

As expected, this thing is deceptively rapid. There's 457 lb-ft of torque delivered between 1,950 and 5,000 rpm in a curve that's as flat as week-old hefeweizen. It might have put on a few pounds, but the Cabriolet nips at the heels of the Turbo coupe when it comes to speed.

Porsche claims the Cabrio will cross the line at 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds and reach 124 mph in 12.8 seconds with the row-it-yourself six-speed manual transmission. The optional $3,420 five-speed Tiptronic S autobox betters these numbers by two-tenths since it allows you to brake-torque the car at the starting line to build turbo boost for a quicker launch.

It's hard to imagine any Cabriolet owner doing such a thing, however. Between the folding roof and more willowy chassis, the Cabriolet works best as a relaxed high-speed cruiser. There are other Porsche 911 models in which to play racer.

As in the 911 Turbo coupe, the Turbo Cabriolet offers more urge if you want it. The optional $1,920 Sport Chrono Package provides a 10-second overboost function to lift torque to 501 lb-ft between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. Normal boost pressure of 14.5 psi is raised to 17.4 psi during this overboost period, and we're told that the transmission's ability to shed heat dictates the limit of 10 seconds.

A Different Kind of Speed

There's no question that the 997-based 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is fast and utterly capable, and the corporate strategy of broadening the marque's appeal with such models has indisputably been good to Porsche's balance sheet.

Just the same, this is not a simple, flyweight 911 with more motor and less roof. It's a GT car, more like a Jaguar XKR convertible than a Ferrari F430 Spider. That's why we strongly believe the leaner, meaner 911 GT3 embodies Porsche's core values better than any other model in its lineup, including the almighty 911 Turbo.

Well, the purists might be right. This is a car that's more about style and speed, and not so much about Porsche-ness. Still, as crushingly fast cruisers go, there are few better than the 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Maybe it's all right to give in to your inner Sonny Crockett once in awhile.

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

M

07-17-2007, 12:36 AM	#1
Merc1 Contributor Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Aurora IL USA Posts: 7,272 Thanks: 1,561 Thanked 2,270 Times in 1,044 Posts	Edmunds Inside Line - First Drive: 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet The 911 To Be Seen In Shared Motivation You already know all about the Cabrio's twin-turbocharged 480-hp, 3.6-liter power plant, since it's unchanged from the coupe. Headlines include variable-geometry turbo whiz-bangery, which generates quicker boost response by varying the velocity of the exhaust gas reaching the turbines. The result? Torque production responds to the position of your right foot with commendable linearity. Mat the throttle and there's only the tiniest pause before the Turbo's formidable reservoir of torque is channeled forth through all four wheels, hurling the car forward effortlessly. The Turbo engine might not have the urgent yowl of the 911 GT3's normally aspirated engine, but there's still the unmistakable flat-6 wail and an intake whoosh that the alfresco Cabrio makes even more noticeable. As expected, this thing is deceptively rapid. There's 457 lb-ft of torque delivered between 1,950 and 5,000 rpm in a curve that's as flat as week-old hefeweizen. It might have put on a few pounds, but the Cabriolet nips at the heels of the Turbo coupe when it comes to speed. Porsche claims the Cabrio will cross the line at 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.0 seconds and reach 124 mph in 12.8 seconds with the row-it-yourself six-speed manual transmission. The optional $3,420 five-speed Tiptronic S autobox betters these numbers by two-tenths since it allows you to brake-torque the car at the starting line to build turbo boost for a quicker launch. It's hard to imagine any Cabriolet owner doing such a thing, however. Between the folding roof and more willowy chassis, the Cabriolet works best as a relaxed high-speed cruiser. There are other Porsche 911 models in which to play racer. As in the 911 Turbo coupe, the Turbo Cabriolet offers more urge if you want it. The optional $1,920 Sport Chrono Package provides a 10-second overboost function to lift torque to 501 lb-ft between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. Normal boost pressure of 14.5 psi is raised to 17.4 psi during this overboost period, and we're told that the transmission's ability to shed heat dictates the limit of 10 seconds. A Different Kind of Speed There's no question that the 997-based 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is fast and utterly capable, and the corporate strategy of broadening the marque's appeal with such models has indisputably been good to Porsche's balance sheet. Just the same, this is not a simple, flyweight 911 with more motor and less roof. It's a GT car, more like a Jaguar XKR convertible than a Ferrari F430 Spider. That's why we strongly believe the leaner, meaner 911 GT3 embodies Porsche's core values better than any other model in its lineup, including the almighty 911 Turbo. Well, the purists might be right. This is a car that's more about style and speed, and not so much about Porsche-ness. Still, as crushingly fast cruisers go, there are few better than the 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. Maybe it's all right to give in to your inner Sonny Crockett once in awhile. - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER M

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