New 2019 Porsche 911 Cabriolet revealed

PORSCHE has taken the wraps off its open-top 992-generation 911, with the manufacturer revealing the new Cabriolet six weeks after its hard-top counterpart debuted at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto show.

Echoing many of the styling cues found on the new Coupe, like the full-width rear tail light bar, wider body and LED headlights, the Cabriolet adds a fully-automatic retractable soft-top which will open in 12 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h. An electrically extendable wind deflector also pops up to aid cabin ambience with the roof down.

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Like the Coupe, the only variants that are mentioned so far are the rear-wheel drive Carrera S and all-wheel drive Carrera 4S, with others to follow later this year. Both employ a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that produces 331kW at 6500rpm and 530Nm of torque between 2300-5000rpm.

Owing to the addition of the folding roof mechanism, the Cabriolet is 0.2 seconds slower to hit 100km/h than the equivalent Coupe, with the run taking a still-brisk 3.9 seconds. A new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is on offer for the 992-generation 911, and although there is no mention yet of a manual offering, we can expect to see a 7-speed self-shifter at some point.

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Another new debut for the 911 Cabriolet is Porsche’s optional Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which was previously only on offer for hard-tops. A drop in ride height of ten millimetres combines with shorter and stiffer springs, more rigid front and rear anti-roll bars and an adjustable damping system to give the chassis a sportier tune.

Complementing the full-width rear light bar is an equally-wide active rear spoiler which gives the Cabriolet’s humpback more purpose. Another design element which has been reintroduced is the indented bonnet lines which hark back to the original 911’s.

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Stepping inside you’ll find a stand-out 10.9-inch centre display which integrates with a newly-designed centre console.

Porsche’s previous PDK gear shifter has been shelved in favour of a stout toggle which is flanked by touch-sensitive glass panels for different driving settings. The tachometer remains central in the instrument cluster, with digital displays showing driving information on either side.

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The 911 Cabriolet will arrive in Australia later this year following deliveries of its Coupe-counterpart.