2010 Porsche 911: What's New

Vehicle Overview
Porsche’s flagship 911 comes in more than a dozen variants, including more potent versions of the 911 Turbo and new GT3 models. At the low end, the car competes with the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and BMW 6 Series; higher-performing trims are in a price range with the Maserati Gran Turismo and Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

New for 2010
All but the high-performance 911 Turbo received new six-cylinder engines for 2009. This year, the all-wheel-drive Turbo coupe and cabriolet get a new 3.8-liter six-cylinder with 500 horsepower, up from 3.6 liters and 480 horsepower. The GT3 returns after a one-year absence in base and GT3 RS form, the latter essentially a street version of Porsche’s factory racecar. The GT3’s new 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six-cylinder packs 435 hp.

Exterior
The 911 is offered as a soft-top convertible, metal-roofed coupe or glass-roofed Targa. A rear spoiler deploys at 75 mph to enhance high-speed stability; the 911 Turbo has a fixed spoiler.

• Bi-xenon headlights
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Available 19-inch alloys
• Available adaptive suspension
• Dual or quad exhaust pipes
• Rear-mounted engine, with small luggage area under the hood
• Glass hatch (Targa)
• Power-operated soft-top (convertible)

Interior
The four-seat interior has a purposeful layout and stiffly bolstered seats, though only the front seats are habitable by adults. The rear seatbacks fold to form a makeshift cargo shelf. Front sport seats with larger bolsters are optional, as are non-adjustable racing buckets.

• Automatic climate control
• Retractable glass roof with power sunshades (Targa)
• Partial leather seats, with full leather optional
• Optional leather-wrapped dashboard
• Optional navigation system
• Optional Bose surround-sound system and full iPod integration
• Optional power-adjustable seats with memory driver’s seat

Under the Hood
The 911’s horizontally opposed six-cylinder engines measure 3.6 or 3.8 liters. The 911 Turbo’s new 3.8-liter engine makes 500 hp. The GT3 gets a new naturally aspirated 3.8-liter engine that produces 435 hp and comes only with a six-speed manual transmission. The 911 Carrera has a 3.6-liter six-cylinder and Carrera S models use a 3.8-liter six-cylinder. Both are available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK automatic.

• 3.6-liter six-cylinder makes 345 hp and 288 pounds-feet of torque (Carrera)
• Base 3.8-liter six-cylinder makes 385 hp and 310 pounds-feet of torque (Carrera S)
• Standard six-speed manual
• Available seven-speed PDK twin-clutch auto-manual with paddle shifters
• Available Sport Chrono Package Plus with performance modes for heightened accelerator sensitivity and swifter PDK shifting
• Rear- or all-wheel drive
• Turbo has 500 hp, all-wheel drive and manual or PDK transmission
• GT3 has 435 hp, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual

Safety
Available adaptive headlights swivel up to 15 degrees to better illuminate corners.

• Dual front airbags
• Seat-mounted side-impact airbags
• Door-mounted side curtain airbags (included on convertibles, too)
• Pop-up rollover bars behind rear seats (convertibles)
• All-disc antilock brakes with high-performance ceramic brakes optional
• Electronic stability system
• Traction control