2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabrio – Spy Photo: As if fresh-fallen snow wasn’t picturesque enough, Porsche had to unleash this exquisite piece of convertible craftsmanship, done up all in black no less, as proof that anything can be improved upon. It’s the 2008 911 Turbo Cabrio, represented here by a barely-disguised prototype caught testing in northern Sweden. Sliding into the brand’s lineup next to the 911 Turbo Coupe, which made its sales debut last summer, the Cabrio is said to utilize the same 480-horsepower 3.6-liter engine and all-wheel-drive system. Look for the six-speed manual and Tiptronic S automatic to also make the cut, along with 0-60 mph times mimicking the hard top’s sub-four second scores.
Thom Blackett
2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
| The hard top version of the 911 Turbo hit the streets last year. Motivation for the rear-engine 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo comes from a 3.6-liter boxer engine that cranks out 480 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 457 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,950 rpm. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or an optional Tiptronic S automatic, with the stick-shift pushing the all-wheel-drive Porsche to 62 mph in a brisk 3.9 seconds; the Tiptronic cuts that time to 3.7 seconds. An optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo allows for an extra short burst of power, pushing torque up to 501 lb.-ft. Top speed registers 193 mph on the speedometer. Porsche Traction Management works with the all-wheel-drive system to provide optimal handling. | |
2007 Porsche 911 GT3
| For those who live their lives based on want and not need, and provided their bank accounts are flush with cash, Porsche offers another variant of the 911, the 2007 GT3. Engineers have managed to crank 415 horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque from a 3.6-liter, naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine featuring dual overhead cams, 24 valves, and variable-valve timing. Selecting Sport mode unleashes an extra 18 lb.-ft. of torque between 3,000 and 4,000 rpm, all of which reaches the rear 3,075-lb. GT3’s 19-inch wheels with the aid of six-speed manual transmission. | |
