Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its iconic 911 range for the latest 2009 model year facelift, but the changes taking place under the new sheet metal are quite the opposite. This is because the new 911 Carrera is available for the first time with direct injection and dual clutch technologies.
The first cars to receive the updates are the Carrera and Carrera S models, both of which are now available with Porsche's newly developed Doppel Kupplung (dual clutch) gearbox complete with seven forward gears.
Porsche has already applied direct injection technology to the 4.8L V8 Cayenne SUV but implementing the technology in the flat-six of the Carrera models has been a more daunting task - although the payoff of greater power, torque, fuel-efficiency and emissions ratings was an enticing incentive for Porsche.
Engineers have increased the size of the combustion chambers, upgraded the crankshaft and installed new oil and water pumps in order to implement the direct injection technology, raising the redline to 7,500 rpm, 200rpm higher than the non-direct-injection flat-six.
The 3.8L flat-six gets a significant improvement in horsepower thanks to the technology, with power rising from 350hp to 380hp and torque climbing from 295lb-ft at 4,600rpm to 310lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. According to Porsche, the updated Carrera S with direct injection and the new seven-speed dual clutch transmission should hit the 60mph mark in 4.3 seconds, an improvement of around four-tenths of a second over the current model.
While more horsepower is always welcome, consumers these days want to see fuel efficiency improve and Porsche doesn't disappoint in this area either. The 3.8L 911 Carrera S with dual-clutch transmission consumes up to 12.8% less fuel and emits around 14.5% less carbon-dioxide than its predecessor, while the 3.6L 911 Carrera experiences similar gains. The combination of greater efficiency due to direct injection and minimal loss of power thanks to the dual clutch transmission allow the two sports cars to achieve these significant gains.
A new butterfly valve has also been adopted in the 3.8L, opening at around 5,100rpm to really allow the Porsche's bark to match its bite, although the 3.6L in the base Carrera doesn't get this treatment.
Changes to the 911’s exterior consist of new LED taillights, slightly revised bumpers with daytime running lights and new 18 and 19in wheels. The rest of the 911 fleet, including the Carrera 4S and Turbo, are expected to adopt the same changes in the coming year.
2009 Porsche 911 Facelift
Reader Comments
Fri Jun 6 2008 3:30 AM
the 1% says
I like!!!!....All of these upgrades; Direct Injection and 7 speed Dual Clutch Tranny, 500++HP on the Turbo should make easy work of the GTR, plus not to mention that they will be switching from their proprietary AWD system to the HALDEX AWD system similar to the one used on the Veyron....I knew Nissan couldn't de-throne the king for long!!!
Fri Jun 6 2008 5:45 AM
elclair says
Drool...PDK coupled with a Porsche sports exhaust will sound AWESOME ! I don't think Porsche will do it, but imagine PDK on a GT3(RS). That would be the ultimate drivers machine. Other brands can bring what they want..There is no substitute to the driving experience that a Porsche offers....NONE.
Fri Jun 6 2008 6:36 AM
Nublo says
Interesting mechanical improvements. It was time for Porsche to get a proper automatic gearbox. Quite impressive the consumption figures for an engine that powerful.
By the way, great pictures in Lanzarote, Canary Islands. It seems Porsche, as BMW, has chosen that place as the location for the new cars’ pics
Fri Jun 6 2008 7:39 AM
Alan says
Finally Porsche joins dual clutch, good improvements to engine performance and efficiency. Seems like there's a new steering wheel design, wonder what the paddles will look like, and whether it's attached to the steering wheel or fixed to the column
Fri Jun 6 2008 10:26 AM
Gus says
I remember back in 1986, working on my friend's 911 in his garage in Austria.
It was such a simple car to work on, so well made.
I guess those days are over. Now you need 6 computers and a PhD in order to service one.
Fri Jun 6 2008 11:18 AM
Milan says
It is called Porsche-Doppelkupplung. And what about 3.6 Carrera??
Fri Jun 6 2008 9:40 PM
InkMaster says
Yum! Looks nice in white :D
Wed Jun 11 2008 7:48 PM
lexlife says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
Thank you Porsche!
Thu Jun 12 2008 12:30 AM
Wizards Lore says
my ultimate car.
The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
Supercar that you can drive every day and not look like a tool
Thu Jun 12 2008 6:39 PM
james says
i'll take 8
Wed Jun 18 2008 1:15 PM
Kris (derbyshire) says
as a owner of the current 911s its hard to belive it could get better. but this is Porsche they have been improving on perfection for years. i cant wait to drive one. bring it on.
Mon Jun 23 2008 1:16 AM
Wizards Lore says
i said it before and i will say it again..
Porsche .....there is no substitute
Wed Jun 25 2008 11:24 AM
bc says
they look the same... not impressed.
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