2008 Porsche 911

NEW FOR 2008:

- New 911 Turbo Cabriolet model

- New GT2 model

- Optional folding leather sports bucket seats

- Optional Aerokit for the Turbo Coupe includes new front spoiler lip, rear lid and rear spoiler with fixed wing profile

- Recommended oil change interval is now 20,000 km or one year; recommended spark plug replacement is now 60,000 km or four years

- New roller blind on Targa better reduces light and heat

- Exterior colours: Macadamia Metallic added; Atlas Grey Metallic replaces Lapis Blue Metallic, Malachite Green Metallic replaces Lagoon Green Metallic, and Ruby Red Metallic replaces Carmona Red Metallic

- Interior colours: Carrera Red added; Palm Green deleted

For 2008, the big news for the Porsche 911 range is the addition of an all-new Turbo Cabriolet model, joining the Turbo Coupe that was introduced for 2007. All other model-year 2007 variations continue into 2008, for a total of 14 models in the regular production 911 family.

Also available is the ultra-high-performance GT2, a race-ready but street-legal version of the GT3 RS.

A new option for most models is folding leather sports bucket seats, which are essentially race seats with a folding backrest. Reinforced with carbon fibre, they are seven to nine kg lighter than the standard seats, but still have integrated head and thorax side airbags.

The regular 911 line-up consists of the Carrera and Carrera S; Carrera 4 and Carrera 4 S; Carrera Cabriolet and Carrera Cabriolet S; Carrera 4 Cabriolet and Carrera 4 S Cabriolet; Targa 4 and Targa 4 S; GT3 and GT3 RS; and Turbo and Turbo Cabriolet.

All 911 models use six-cylinder, horizontally-opposed "boxer" engines. A 3.6-litre, 325-horsepower version appears in the Carrera, Carrera 4, and Targa 4 models. A 3.8-litre, 355-horsepower version is used in the Carrera S, Carrera 4 S and Targa 4 S models. The Turbo uses a turbocharged 3.6-litre that makes 480 horsepower. The GT3 uses a naturally-aspirated 3.6-litre that produces 415 horsepower, while the GT2 uses a turbocharged version of that engine to produce 530 horsepower and 505 ft-lb of torque.

All models use a six-speed manual transmission. It can be optioned to a five-speed Tiptronic automatic with manual shift mode in everything but the GT3 and GT2 models, which are strictly stick-shift.

Features on the Carrera include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, four-piston calipers with ventilated brake discs, hydraulic power-assist steering, head and thorax side airbags, anti-theft system with interior sensor, keyless entry, heated mirrors, Porsche Stability Management system, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles, tire pressure monitoring system, three-spoke leather-wrapped wheel, on-board computer, heated seats with power-adjustable backrest, storage shelf, lockable glove-box and storage compartment, Porsche Communication Management with 5.8-inch colour display, Bose Surround Sound CD stereo, garage door opener, cruise control, illuminated vanity mirrors, black instrument dials, power windows, Alcantara headliner, and automatic extending rear spoiler. The Coupe includes a power-operated sliding steel sunroof, while the Cabriolet adds a power top and safety bars.

The all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models have corresponding features (S models use 19-inch wheels), while the Targa models include a glass roof made from two large panels running from the windshield to the engine cover. The transparent glass absorbs almost all ultraviolet radiation and does not transit heat into the vehicle; the front portion can be opened electrically, and the roof includes an integrated power shade.

The Turbo models add 19-inch alloy wheels, all-wheel drive, red six-piston calipers, enhanced Porsche Stability Management system, self-levelling bi-Xenon headlamps with washers, auto-dimming side and rear-view mirrors, Sport Chrono package, electrically-adjustable seats with driver's side memory, full leather interior, navigation system, and aluminum-colour instrument dials.

The GT3 includes 19-inch alloy wheels, climate control, limited-slip differential, six-piston front and four-piston rear red brake calipers, three-spoke GT3 wheel with Alcantara rim, bi-Xenon headlamps, on-board computer, sports seats with Alcantara inserts and electric backrest adjustment, cruise control, CD stereo, power windows, exterior Aerodynamic package with fixed biplane wing, and sports exhaust system with central dual tailpipes. The available GT3 RS has a slightly wider rear body, split rear-suspension wishbones and carbon fibre parts, including the front lid and rear wing.

The GT2 includes 19-inch wheels, automatic climate control, Porsche Active Suspension Management, limited-slip differential, ceramic composite brakes with yellow calipers, three-spoke GT2 wheel with Alcantara rim, keyless entry, tire pressure monitoring system, on-board computer, sports seats with Alcantara inserts and electric backrest adjustment, CD stereo, cruise control, power windows, Aerodynamic package with fixed biplane wing, titanium sports exhaust system, and power-operated sliding steel sunroof.