2008 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

The all-alloy engine in the 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet is a 3.6-liter flat or "boxer" six equipped with Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing, producing 325 hp @ 6,800 rpm with 273 foot-pounds of torque. Equipped with the highly rated six-speed manual transmission, it can make the 0-60 jump in 5.1 seconds. Backed by the five-speed Tiptronic S automatic, it takes 5.5 seconds. Top speed is 174/171 mph (manual/automatic). Despite this performance, the EPA estimates aren't too bad, with the manual and automatic equally rated at 18/26 mpg city/highway.

The Cabriolet removes the standard 911's metal top, but adds chassis reinforcement and electric motors, bringing total curb weight to only 51 pounds more than the coupe's. The soft top has been reworked so that when up, its aerodynamics match those of the coupe (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 4 is 44 mm wider at the rear fenders than a rear-wheel-drive 911 in order to handle the larger tires for the all-wheel-drive system. The average rear/front torque split is 65/35, with at least 5% of 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.

On the road, reviewers find the extra weight does little to inhibit the Carrera's acceleration (it's 0.2 second slower to 60 mph), cornering, road feel, and braking. What all reviewers rave about is the open-air experience of a 911 at full flight. The Carrera 4 comes with the excellent Porsche Stability Management system that has been modified to allow the driver more leeway exploring handling limits.

Porsche interiors, noted for their build quality and simplicity, are meant for drivers; they offer little to distract from the main attraction: the open road. The interior has undergone ergonomic reorganization to place all controls within easy 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. While the Carrera 4 Cabriolet is at home on the daily commute in all weather conditions or at the weekend competition, it loves the sun.