MEET THE NEXT PORSCHE 911 CARRERA AND CARRERA CONVERTIBLE

The Next 911 Iteration To Arrive On The 992 Chassis Is The Base Car With More Power Than Before
ROBIN WARNER

Porsche launched the 992 chassis 911 earlier this year with the Carrera S and soon after Carrera S convertible. Next in line are the base Carreras, and this time around we get to see the coupe and convertible all at once.

Power on the Carrera edges up nine to 379 horsepower at 6,500 rpm; torque remains the same at 331 lb-ft between 1,700 – 5,000 rpm. A PDK dual-clutch transmission handles shifting duties. The new eight-speed box is up one gear from the last-gen 911 and helps improve 0-60 times by two-tenths of a second, now 4.0 seconds. It takes 3.8 seconds when equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, which adds a launch-control-style start. The heavier 911 Carrera convertible adds two-tenths back to the times, 4.2 and 4.0 seconds, respectively. Top speed is the same as before: 182 mph.

Standard 911 Carrera equipment includes Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which is comprised of electronically adjustable dampers; settings are normal and sport. More standard equipment includes Porsche’s new wet mode, a system that detects wet conditions and adjusts the car to suit. For braking duties, Porsche mounts 13.0-inch iron rotors, front and rear, with four-piston calipers alongside each one. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available as an option on Carreras, as it is on the S models.

Visually, the new 992 Carrera gets 19-inch diameter wheels in front, 20-inch in the rear, though you can check a box to upgrade to 20-inches for the steering, 21-inches for the power. Standard tires are staggered front to rear, 235/40ZR19 and 295/35ZR20. The main features introduced on the Carrera S, such as the full-width LED light strip, carry over onto the base Carrera, save for the exhaust openings — single tailpipes on each side here, twin-pipes on the Carrera S. Inside is a similar story: Gone are the analog gauges of old, replaces with screens and digital reincarnations.

Base price for the 2020 Carrera is $98,750 and $111,550 for the convertible. Expect to see them reach dealers early next year. More details on the car and impressions to come when we get to snag a set of keys for a test drive.