2012 Detroit: 2012 Porsche 911 Cabriolet loses weight and gets cool new roof

January 10, 2012January 10, 2012 Omar Rana 2012 Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Porsche 911, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, Porsche 911 Cabriolet S, Porsche 911 S, Sports Cars, Supercars

Key Competitors: Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster, Jaguar XK, BMW 6-Series Convertible, Audi R8 Spyder
Power: 3.4L flat-six 350 hp (Carrera), 3.8L flat-six 400 hp (Carrera S)
Transmission: 7-speed manual, optional 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK), and Interweb points to anyone who can pronounce that (you can’t speak German, that’s cheating!)
Performance: 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, 176 mph top speed (Carrera with PDK); 0-60 in 4.1 seconds, 185 mph top speed (Carrera S with PDK)
Pricing: $93,700 (Carrera), $103,800 (Carrera S)
Availability: Spring 2012

Porsche unveiled its latest addition to the new 991 line-up: the all new, 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carerra S Cabrolets.

Built on an entirely new platform, unlike the 996 and 997 generations, the new 991 Cabriolet loses 132 lbs to its predecessors thanks to extensive use of magnesium. It might not seem like much, but such weight can result in a huge difference in performance and handling, all for the better.

Also separating the 991 Cabriolet from previous generation 911 Cabriolets is a uniquely designed roof that for the first time, retains the bespoke roofline of the 991 Coupe. Additionally, the roof can be opened or closed via the center console or the key fob while in motion. The folding origami completes in roughly 13 seconds and can be operated at speeds over 30 mph.

Powering the new 991 Carrera Cabriolet is a newly updated 3.4L flat-six producing 350hp while the Carrera S gets the same 3.8L direct-injected flat-six from the 997 Carrera S, producing 400hp.

The 991 Carrera is set to hit your local showrooms around the spring of 2012 with the base Carrera Cabriolet basing at $93,700 and the Carrera S Cabriolet at $103,800.

– By: Chris Chin