2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet

The all-alloy engine in the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet is a 3.8-liter flat or "boxer" six equipped with Porsche's VarioCam Plus variable valve timing. It produces 355 hp @ 6,600 rpm with 295 foot-pounds of torque. Equipped with the highly rated six-speed manual transmission, the Carrera S Cabriolet can make the 0-60 jump in 4.7 seconds. Backed by the five-speed Tiptronic S automatic, the jump takes 5.1 seconds. Top speed is 182/177 mph (manual/automatic). Despite all this performance, the EPA estimates aren't too bad, with the manual and automatic getting identical city/highway ratings of 17/25 mpg.

The Cabriolet removes the standard 911's metal top, but adds chassis reinforcement and electric motors. Porsche has managed to do that by adding only 51 pounds to the curb weight of the coupe. 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 that 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.

All S trim lines come with 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. On the road, reviewers found the Cabriolet's extra weight did little to inhibit its acceleration (it's 0.1 second slower to 60 mph), cornering, road feel, and braking. What all reviewers rave about is the open-air experience of an S at full flight.

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 steering wheel includes height and telescopic adjustments, while the interior has undergone further ergonomic organization to place 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 S Cabriolet is at home on the daily commute or at the weekend competition, it loves the sun.