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2009 Model Year Porsche 911 [997] Facelift Launched

911UK

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Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its iconic 911 range for the latest 2009 model year facelift, but the changes taking place under the new sheet metal are quite the opposite. This is because the new 911 Carrera is available for the first time with direct injection and dual clutch technologies.

New Porsche Microsite Launched
http://www.porsche.com/microsite/911/uk.aspx

How green are the new Porsche 911s?
The manual Carrera averages 27.4mpg (Carrera S, 26.6mpg), while the new twin-clutch PDK versions are even more frugal: the Carrera manages a scarcely credible 28.8mpg (27.7mpg on the S). Who'd have thought we'd ever be focusing on economy figures on a new Porsche 911...


The first cars to receive the updates are the Carrera and Carrera S models, both of which are now available with Porsche's newly developed Doppel Kupplung (dual clutch) gearbox complete with seven forward gears.

Porsche has already applied direct injection technology to the 4.8L V8 Cayenne SUV but implementing the technology in the flat-six of the Carrera models has been a more daunting task - although the payoff of greater power, torque, fuel-efficiency and emissions ratings was an enticing incentive for Porsche.

Engineers have increased the size of the combustion chambers, upgraded the crankshaft and installed new oil and water pumps in order to implement the direct injection technology, raising the redline to 7,500 rpm, 200rpm higher than the non-direct-injection flat-six.

The 3.8L flat-six gets a significant improvement in horsepower thanks to the technology, with power rising from 350bhp to 380bhp and torque climbing from 295lb-ft at 4,600rpm to 310lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. According to Porsche, the updated Carrera S with direct injection and the new seven-speed dual clutch transmission should hit the 60mph mark in 4.3 seconds, an improvement of around four-tenths of a second over the current model.

While more horsepower is always welcome, consumers these days want to see fuel efficiency improve and Porsche doesn't disappoint in this area either. The 3.8L 911 Carrera S with dual-clutch transmission consumes up to 12.8% less fuel and emits around 14.5% less carbon-dioxide than its predecessor, while the 3.6L 911 Carrera experiences similar gains. The combination of greater efficiency due to direct injection and minimal loss of power thanks to the dual clutch transmission allow the two sports cars to achieve these significant gains.

A new butterfly valve has also been adopted in the 3.8L, opening at around 5,100rpm to really allow the Porsche's bark to match its bite, although the 3.6L in the base Carrera doesn't get this treatment.

Changes to the 911's exterior consist of new LED taillights, slightly revised bumpers with daytime running lights and new 18 and 19in wheels. The rest of the 911 fleet, including the Carrera 4S and Turbo, are expected to adopt the same changes in the coming year.
 

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The changes to the bodywork are slight, but Porsche has made big changes under the skin of its facelifted 911, including new engines with direct injection for the first time, and a double-clutch transmission.

The addition of direct injection cuts the C02 emissions of the Carrera 3.6 to 225g/km, making it the only other Porsche model alongside the 2.7-litre Boxster and Cayman that falls into band F for road tax.

Despite this, power is increased by 20bhp to 345bhp; the 3.8-litre unit in the Carrera S now has 385bhp, up by 30bhp. Torque has also increased, by 14lb ft in the Carrera (to 287lb ft) and by 15lb ft in the S, to 310lb ft.

The new seven-speed, double-clutch transmission, called PDK (for Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe), cuts the 242g/km CO2 output of the manual S to 240g/km. The unit weighs 10kg less than a Tiptronic gearbox.

It also cuts acceleration times by 0.2sec; the Carrera now hits 60mph in 4.7sec, the S in 4.5sec. The optional Sports Chrono Package Plus (which includes launch control) cuts the 0-62mph time by a further 0.2sec.

The mildly restyled body features new air intakes and new LED driving lights, and the rear lights now use LEDs. New 18 and 19-inch wheels are available, and the rear end features new tailpipes and an altered lower valance.

Inside the changes are minimal; the touch screen is now slightly larger, and there's the option of ventilated seats.

Porsche is increasing the price of the 911 to coincide with the new model. The 3.6 Carrera now starts at £63,070, with the 3.8 Carrera 4S costing £77,650. The Turbo and GT models will get the facelift later this year.
 

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So look out for:

- Larger air intakes at the front
- New bi-xenon headlights
- LED daytime running lights on all 911s
- New-shape 60-LED rear light clusters
- Redesigned 18- and 19in wheels
- Larger rear-view mirrors
- New rear apron incorporating exhausts (oval on Carrera, twin round pipes on Carrera S)

They've moved the front radiators around and removed the third central rad from the snout – freeing up more space and allowing the front end to be gently reprofiled. It's easier to spot the new 911 from the back end, thanks to those distinctive, chamfered rear light packs.

And what about inside the new model?

Porsche has tried to cut down the number of buttons and clutter in the 911's cabin, thank goodness.The interior has never been the 911's strong point – even the last version felt uninspiring, if well built. A new touchscreen system called Porsche Communication Management (or PCM – how they love their acronyms!) controls most media functions and is compatible with iPods and onboard television options.

You can pick between snazzy Bose sound systems and there's a 40GB hard disc sat-nav system available, too. We've sat in the new 911, and you naturally enjoy the usual compact size and easy-to-place view out.
 

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The new 911 is the first roadgoing Porsche to get the option of PDK transmission, which will cost £2338 in the UK. Porsche has form with double-clutch boxes, having pioneered the breed on the 1980s 962 Group C racer.

Forty percent of Brits pick the current Tiptronic auto box, and Porsche predicts the twin-clutch system will be even more popular. If you don't fancy the standard six-speed manual, PDK is available on both Carrera and S models. The old Tiptronic S auto 'box dies.

PDK: a high-performance seven-speed 'boxThe new gearbox offers seven forward ratios, and drivers can slot D or operate manual mode via the gearstick or paddles. PDK shaves two tenths off each car's 0-62mph sprint and makes them more economical, as seventh is an overdrive.

Spec anoraks take note: if you pick the Sports Chrono pack with its launch control wizardry, you can shave a further two tenths off the benchmark sprint. Abrupt, ballsy gearchanges cut the 0-62mph times to 4.5sec (Carrera with PDK) and 4.3sec (Carrera S with PDK).


The chassis mods on the new 911

All Carrera S models get a revised PASM electronically controlled damper set-up, which remains an option on the Carrera. If you want to ruin the ride, then pick the sports suspension option, which drops the 911's ride height by 20mm; to be honest, we've found little wrong with the standard set-up, which now benefits from revised spring and damper rates all round.

The brakes are bigger, too, measuring 330mm front and rear, and PCCB ceramic discs are an – undoubtedly expensive – option. Both models can be ordered with a limited-slip diff.
 

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I want one :(

I am now the owner of a pre-facelift 911 :(

I want touch screen, and bluetooth :(

I want more power and better fuel economy :(

I want PDK :(

And I can't have any of it, as my car probably depreciated another £5K today :(
 
How green are the new Porsche 911s?
The manual Carrera averages 27.4mpg (Carrera S, 26.6mpg), while the new twin-clutch PDK versions are even more frugal: the Carrera manages a scarcely credible 28.8mpg (27.7mpg on the S). Who'd have thought we'd ever be focusing on economy figures on a new Porsche 911...


It'll save you pennies from the Exchequer, too. The manual Carrera emits an impressively low (for a sports car) 225g/km of CO2, making it a surprisingly tax-friendly device. The Carrera S averages 242g/km of the evil stuff. No other near-supercar manages such emissions.

An impressive seven percent less gas guzzling... How do they do it?
Direct injection allows homogenous combustion, meaning more efficient burning with precise injection and combustion management. All new 911s now meet Euro 5 emissions regs not due in force until September 2009 and can run on a 10:90 ethanol/fuel mix.

As part of the new set-up, there's a new two-piece crankshaft on the flat six (replacing the previous four-piece item), new cylinder geometry, redesigned oil and water pumps – and it's the world's first boxer engine with direct petrol injection, crows Porsche. The whole shebang is 6kg lighter than before, contributing to the 911's relatively slimline kerb weight. The base Carrera weighs in at 1490kg, ballooning to 1585kg for a Carrera S Cabriolet.

So has Porsche gone all soft then?
Hardly. The 3.6 has swollen in capacity a smidgeon, but 18cc is hardly going to startle anyone. The Carrera S's 3.8 has shrunk by 24cc. But the proof is in the pudding and a wide range of mods has liberated more power and torque across the board.

The end result is six percent more power on the Carrera (345bhp/288lb ft) and nine percent on the Carrera S (385bhp/310lb ft). So the new 911 is faster and more frugal...
 

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Jamie said:
I want one :(

I am now the owner of a pre-facelift 911 :(

I want touch screen, and bluetooth :(

I want more power and better fuel economy :(

I want PDK :(

And I can't have any of it, as my car probably depreciated another £5K today :(

I hear ya. :( Do you think the new FL looks more "feminine"?
 
Beautiful the rigt decision for me to wait these 6-8 months. Just 3 months to go now.
 
andrew1965 said:
Beautiful the rigt decision for me to wait these 6-8 months. Just 3 months to go now.

PDK owning 3.8 S cars will be giving 996 GT3 owners a run for their money !
 
I am just about to drop a fair bit on a 2006 997S. Do people really think the residuals on these pre-facelift cars are going to be hammered? I have known about the facelift for a while but am now v worried as I am just about to part with the cash and drive the car off.
 
You'd be right if you're thinking it might be a critical time buying a Mk1 997. If it were my $$$, then I would lay off as the interest will slowly but surely shift to the Mk2 (and who can blame them when they see PDK, touchscreens not to mention more power?). Either that or else back to the negotiating table and bargain even harder!

~ Maxie
 
Bod said:
I am just about to drop a fair bit on a 2006 997S. Do people really think the residuals on these pre-facelift cars are going to be hammered? I have known about the facelift for a while but am now v worried as I am just about to part with the cash and drive the car off.

Depreciation is a fact you can't escape, still the 997 is one of the highest value supercars around

but the ripple of 997 Mk2 is felt all the way down the chain as the 996 Mk1 and Mk2's all just dropped a few k as well....
 
Thanks. My gut feeling is that a 2004 or 2005 C2S is likely to be less affected than the late 2006 that I was just about to buy, in that will people really want to drop £60k plus on a later pre-facelift car now?

Or is this rubbish? Basically I am going to buy one and understand that all cars will depreciate, but dont want to get one that is going to be more impacted than another.

Any help would be genuinely appreciated
 
The only honest answer to your question is that history will tell. Nobody knows what twist will next impact the economy in either a positive or negative way and in turn impact upon residual values.

If you need to know, or if you can wait, do just that - hold fire.

Otherwise good luck with the new motor! :wink:


Peter
 

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