The 2004 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S all-wheel-drive convertible (also called a cabriolet) was powered by a 3.6-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine that produced 315 horsepower. The rear-mounted engine drove the car from zero to 60 in 5.3 seconds.
A six-speed manual overdrive tranmission was standard, while a five-speed automatic Triptronic transmission, with a gate and steering-wheel-mounted controls for manual shifting, was optional.
New for 2004, the Carrera 4S convertible came with a body that was slightly wider (by more than two inches) than the standard Carrera, wider tires (18-inch) that provided improved grip, and a Turbo brake system with larger ventilated brakes.
The Carrera 4S convertible was equipped with an electronically operated fabric roof that retracted in a zig-zag manner and stowed under a protective cover in about 20 seconds. A hard top was optional.
Porsche's all-wheel-drive system was also part of the package.
Standard features for the Carrera 4S included air conditioning, leather seats, dual front and side airbags, a power-adjustable driver's seat, power heated mirrors, fog lights, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and power windows, steering, brakes, and door locks.
The Carrera 4S was also equipped with four-wheel anti-lock brakes, a keyless entry system, a premium audio system, and a rear spoiler.
The 2004 911 Carerra 4S was one of a long line of near iconic Porsche sports cars that promised a lot to drivers, and delivered on those promises in almost every way. The handling, power, shifter, suspension, and interior appointments all met or exceeded drivers' expectations. Some noted that the 911's design, with its flat nose, didn't quite meet the high standards set by previous generations of the 911, but that seemed a small quibble with such a desirable, well-engineered car.
