2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet

The all-alloy engine in the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is a 3.8-liter flat or "boxer" six equipped with Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing, producing 355 hp @ 6,600 rpm with 295 foot-pounds of torque. Equipped with the highly rated six-speed manual transmission, it can make the 0-60 jump in 4.7 seconds. Backed by the five-speed Tiptronic S automatic, that jump takes 5.1 seconds. Top speed is 179/174 mph (manual/automatic). EPA ratings aren't as bad as you'd expect, with the manual and automatic getting identical ratings of 17/25 mpg city/highway.

The Cabriolet removes the standard 911's metal top and adds chassis reinforcement and electric motors, bringing curb weight to only 51 pounds more than the coupe's. The soft top was reworked so that when up, its aerodynamics match the coupe's (drag coefficient is 0.29). The top stows under its own tonneau cover in a 20-second push-button operation that can be done at up to 31 mph. Porsche claims the sound level, even at racetrack speeds, is nearly as low as the coupe's. The top is equipped with a heated glass rear window and rain channels to manage water flow.

The Carrera 4S Cabriolet is 44 mm wider at the rear fenders than a rear-wheel-drive 911. The extra width is due to the additional rear track necessary to handle the all-wheel-drive system's larger tires. Under normal conditions, the average rear/front torque split is 65/35, with at least 5% of the power always sent to the front. The viscous clutch that samples each wheel's traction can instantly transfer an additional 5 to 40% of engine power to the front wheels when conditions call for extra grip. In addition, the Porsche Stability Management system is tied into the all-wheel-drive system to optimize braking.

The icing on the Carrera 4S Cabriolet's handling cake is its standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM). This electronic control system adjusts the damping of the shocks according to road conditions and driver input. The driver can select "Normal" for maximum comfort or "Sport" for maximum-performance handling.

The added traction and stability of the all-wheel-drive system draws raves from reviewers. The Carrera 4S was the first four-wheel-drive 911 to get around the famed Nurburgring test track faster (by 2 seconds) than its rear-drive sibling.

Porsche interiors, noted for their build quality and simplicity, are for drivers; they offer little to distract from the main attraction: the road. The interior has undergone ergonomic reorganization to place controls within easier reach of the driver. Reviewers found the standard seating comfortable for both sport and long-distance driving. The rear seats, considered by all reviewers to be humanly uninhabitable, fold down to add 7.24 cubic feet of storage space.

Standard safety equipment includes six airbags (dual front, side, and head), antilock disc brakes, traction control, and stability control. Porsche convertibles come equipped with a roll-protection system that includes deployable roll bars triggered by a rollover sensor. The Porsche braking system is race-bred and one of the most effective available anywhere. The Carrera 4S Cabriolet is at home on the daily commute, rain or shine, or out for some weekend hot laps, but loves fresh air.