2009 Porsche 911: Even if you don't like the idea of a two-pedal 2009 Porsche 911, the introduction of the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) gearbox represents a major advance, as Porsche says it provides 60 percent quicker shifts than the Tiptronic six-speed automatic it replaces. Even quicker shifts are possible in a 2009 Porsche 911 with the Sports Chrono Package Plus, which also includes launch control. Of course, a six-speed manual transmission remains standard on the 911, but Porsche is claiming quicker acceleration times with the PDK gearbox.
All versions of the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S are quicker this year, though, thanks to the fairly comprehensive upgrades the company has made to the cars' 3.6-liter and 3.8-liter horizontally opposed engines. Both are lighter this year and employ a closed-deck block design for improved cooling. Even the bore and stroke differ slightly (although overall displacement is the same) and a new electronically driven oil pump provides much the same lubrication benefit as a costlier dry-sump setup.
The adoption of direct injection is the bigger deal, though, as it has allowed Porsche to raise compression to 12.5:1 (from 11.8:1), which yields more power and torque. The base 911 Carrera's 3.6-liter six-cylinder now makes 345 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 288 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, which is up from 325 hp and 273 lb-ft in 2008. The 3.8-liter engine in the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S offers 385 hp at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm — increases of 30 hp and 15 lb-ft. The new engines also consume 10 percent less fuel, according to Porsche.
All 2009 Porsche 911s see revisions to their springs, dampers and antiroll bars, and standard Carreras have been fitted with an additional stop spring up front and in back to improve compliance. The optional sport suspension now incorporates Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) while lowering ride height by 0.79 inch. Although all Carrera and Carrera S models see improvements to their brake cooling measures for 2009, the base Carrera coupe and cabriolet get a completely new brake system that includes larger, thicker cross-drilled rotors. Also of note for hard-core drivers: A limited-slip rear differential is standard on the 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and optional on all other 2009 Porsche 911s.
Finally, you'll notice that bi-xenon headlights are standard on all 2009 Porsche 911s, as are LED brake lights and taillights. Ventilated seats are a new option. New paint choices include Aqua Blue, Cream White, Nordic Gold and Porsche Racing Green.
2009 Porsche Boxster: The base Porsche Boxster gets a larger-displacement engine in the form of a 2.9-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder rated at 255 hp and 214 lb-ft of torque. The Boxster S sticks with a 3.4-liter six, but the addition of direct injection (and higher compression) brings significantly more power and torque -- 310 hp and 266 lb-ft, respectively. Both engines are available with the PDK gearbox, with launch control available via the Sports Chrono option pack.
Porsche's ceramic composite brakes are a new option on the 2009 Boxster S, and a mechanical limited-slip differential is available on any Boxster with 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Porsche will build the 2009 Porsche Boxster S Design Edition 2 in a limited run of 500 units, and the company says "fewer than 50" will come to the U.S. Priced at $68,700, the Design S costs almost $4 grand more than last year's Boxster RS 60 Spyder, and it's the most expensive Boxster ever.
The only functional difference between the Boxster S Design Edition 2 and the regular 2009 Boxster S is an 8-hp bump for the 3.4-liter, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, now rated at 303 hp. You'll recall that the '08 Boxster RS 60 Spyder version was rated the same.
All other distinguishing features are strictly cosmetic. The roadster is painted in Carrara White and three light gray stripes run lengthwise over the body. The 19-inch wheels are also finished in white, as are the side air intakes, instrument dials and center console. The seats are black leather and the convertible top is gray.
Should the car alone not be enough to justify the big price tag, Porsche is throwing in the Boxster S Porsche Design Edition 2 Chronograph men's wristwatch. As with the car's gauges, the watch has a white face.
2009 Porsche Cayenne: The same 4.8-liter V8 engine that showed up in S and Turbo models last year comes to the 2009 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and with the help of twin turbochargers, it makes 550 hp and 530 lb-ft of torque — increases of 30 hp and 23 lb-ft over the '06 Turbo S.
In other news, the regular Cayenne Turbo gets upgraded braking hardware this year, and Porsche's ceramic-composite brakes are optional on all 2009 Porsche Cayennes except the base model. Alcantara sport seats with memory settings are another new option for '09. New paint choices include GTS Red, Macadamia Metallic and Nordic Gold.
2009 Porsche Cayman: Expect about 100 examples of the 2009 Porsche Cayman S Sport to come to the U.S., out of a planned production run of 700. Among the functional upgrades is an 8-hp bump for the 3.4-liter engine, now rated at 303 hp. Porsche is also throwing on a sport exhaust system with a dual-chambered tailpipe at no extra cost. Probably, though, you're better off waiting for the arrival of the directed-injected version of the 3.4-liter that will become standard on all Caymans during the 2009 model year. It's good for 320 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the base Cayman moves up to a 2.9-liter engine rated at 265 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Both of the new engines can be paired with the new PDK gearbox (with launch control optional) or the carryover six-speed manual.
On the limited-edition Cayman S Sport, the suspension is lowered by 0.39 inch and incorporates PASM. Nineteen-inch wheels are also standard, and Porsche has fitted 0.2-inch spacers to accommodate them.
On the cosmetic side, Porsche is offering you the opportunity to dress the Cayman S Sport like a 911 GT3 RS, as you can opt for bright orange or green paint with black "Cayman S" script down the sides. Wheels, mirrors and air intakes are also done up in black. So is the interior, and the steering wheel, shifter and handbrake are covered in Alcantara. If you want to go subtle, Porsche is offering more conventional paint choices, too: black, silver, white, yellow and, of course, Guards Red.
Additional standard equipment on the 2009 Porsche Cayman S Sport includes bi-xenon headlights, sport seats and the Sports Chrono Pack goodies.
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