A redesign for the Porsche 911

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Oct 25, 2004 | by Kiplinger's Money Power

For 40 years, the 911 Carrera has been Porsche's flagship model. The previous design, rolled out in 1997, sold a respectable 160,000 vehicles, 60,000 of them in the United States. But more than ever, competition for buyers in the category is fierce. To compete, Porsche has redesigned the 911 for 2005.

Each redesign, and its concomitant changes, is a little risky. Porsche drivers appreciate the 911's classic style and regard its understatement -- and consistency -- as an asset. That explains why Porsche made only subtle design changes to the exterior, keeping the 911's iconic profile and even returning to the distinctive oval headlights of earlier generations.

Inside, though, the designers were bolder. Responding to criticism of its ho-hum interior, Porsche added more leather to the seats and trim, and more aluminum to the dash and dials.

Porsche used its first redesign in seven years to introduce not one, but two, new 911s -- the standard and the S. The basic Carrera ($70,095) has the old version's 3.6-liter engine, but with 325 horsepower. The Carrera S ($79,895) has a brand-new, 3.8-liter, 355- hp engine.

The redesign includes such innovations as automatic suspension damping -- to adjust the ride to road conditions and to your style of driving. A new stability-control system allows for more extreme driving before it kicks in to prevent out-of-control skids. Extra safety features, such as six air bags, are part of the package.

Despite the subtle design changes, the new 911 has an edgier, more muscular look and feel. Aggressive, 19-inch wheels come standard on the S. On the dash, the gauges look buff and sleek. Even with the new safety and high-tech equipment, the weight is only slightly heavier than before -- 3,075 vs. 2,959 pounds -- thanks to strategically placed aluminum, carbon fiber and other design modifications. That helps the car go even faster than before: zero to 100 kilometers per hour -- that's 62 mph -- in 4.8 seconds in the S.

The new Porsche went on sale Aug. 28. More models, including a cabriolet, are scheduled for next year. The $70,095 price for the standard Carrera is only about $700 more than the price of the 2004 model, and you get more standard equipment.

But Porsche is notorious for its long list of a la carte options, and the new generation will be no exception. If you're in the market, be prepared to pay substantially more than the base price. Options can easily add $15,000 to the cost.