After last week's leaked images of the new 2012 911, Porsche released today the official details of the new Carrera and Carrera S. Here come the technical bits. The 991 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera has a 3.4-litre boxer engine, with an output of 350 hp (257 kW), which is coupled with the manual transmission, or an optional double-clutch PDK automatic gearbox. Porsche says that the new 2012 911 Carrera offers a 8.2 liters per 100 kilometers (34 mpg imp.) fuel consumption, based on the EU NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). This represents a 1.6 l/100 km (6 mpg imp.) improvement in fuel economy over the previous version of the 911 Carrera. In terms of performance, the 2012 911 Carrera is able to get from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds. If equipped with Porsche's Sport Plus package,
the 2012 Carrera needs only 4.4 seconds for the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) trip. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera is the company's first production car to go below the 200 g/km CO2 emissions level. In fact, the 2012 Carrera emits 194 g/km of CO2.
The more powerful version of the 2012 Porsche 911, the Carrera S, is powered by a 3.8-litre boxer engine which is mated to the world's first 7-speed manual transmission. Optionally, you can get your 2012 911 Carrera S with the PDK automatic transmission.
Porsche's official specifications say that the 2012 911 Carrera S needs 4.3 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h). This time goes down to 4.1 seconds when the 2012 911 Carrera S is equipped with the Sport Chrono package.
The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S develops 400 hp (294 kW), which is 15 hp (11 kW) more than its predecessor. Despite the fact that it has more power, the 2012 Carrera S has a 14% (1.5 l/100 km / 5 mpg imp.) lower fuel consumption, being rated at 8.7 l/100 km (32 mpg imp.). The CO2 emissions however, are not as low as in Carrera's case.
Porsche's official specs say that the 2012 911 Carrera S emits 205 g/km of CO2.
Some of the technical innovations brought by the 2012 Porsche 911 range include an auto start/stop system, that shuts down the engine when the driver waits at a traffic light, for example, to reduce the fuel consumption, thermal management, and electrical system recuperation. For a more precise steering and better feedback, the 2012 Porsche 911 features a new electro-mechanical power steering. This new system also helps improve fuel economy and increase the sports car's efficiency.
The 2012 Porsche 911, comes with a longer wheelbase and a wider front track which give the car better stability, and improved handling characteristics. Porsche is offering several optional active control systems, depending on the version of the car. The 2012 911 Carrera S is the first model of the range to feature Porsche's Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization system. This high-tech system is able to reduce the lateral inclination of the 911 during cornering, which in turn, increases the maximum cornering speeds. Everyone knows that this is where races are won.
As usual, Porsche says that the 2012 911 has been completely re-designed, and this time we tend to believe them.
2012 Porsche 911 video 1:
2012 Porsche 911 video 2:
The styling changes brought by the previous versions of the 911 were so discreet, that only a connoisseur would notice them. The 2012 Porsche 911 is a bit different in this aspect. the design changes are pretty visible, especially at the rear of the sports car. Porsche's 2012 911 has a 100 millimeter (~ 3.9 inches) longer wheelbase, and a lower ride height. It sits on 20 inch light alloy wheels and the trademark wide-arched wings are there only to emphasize its wider track. The side mirrors of the 2012 911 have been re-designed, and are now positioned on the upper edge of the door, instead of their usual place.
The 2012 Porsche 911 is 45 kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a new lightweight body, built through an "an intelligent aluminum-steel construction" process. Apart from being lighter, the 911's body is also more rigid than before and offers a better aerodynamic coefficient, or Cd. Thanks to a wider, variably extending rear spoiler, the 2012 911 manages to get lower lift at high speeds.
For the interior of the 2012 911, Porsche decided to go with a future classic, the Carrera GT. The interior of the 2012 911 991 was inspired by the iconic supercar, and now it features a new center console, with a higher mounted shift lever. The goal behind this modification is to bring the gear selector closer to the steering wheel.
The trademark five dial instrument cluster was kept for the new Porsche 911, but in the case of the 2012 991 model, one of them is actually a high resolution multifunction screen. Other recognizable design elements featured by the 2012 911 include the central rev counter and the ignition lock located on the left of the steering wheel.
The 2012 Porsche 911 price list starts at 88,038 EUR for the 991 Carrera, while the 991 Carrera S will cost you 102,436 EUR. These prices include the 19% VAT and the market-specific equipment. On the UK market, the price list of the Porsche 911 2012 will start at 71,449 GBP for the Carrera model and at 81,242 GBP for the top of the range Carrera S version.
The world debut of the 2012 Porsche 911 will take place at the 2011 IAA Frankfurt auto show next month, before the car's on sale date, which is set for December 3rd, this year.
