2006 Porsche 911 Review

A growing number of drivers like the extra grip provided by all-wheel drive. It's long been a strong selling point of SUVs. More recently, it has become popular on car-based crossover vehicles and even conventional autos such as the Ford Five Hundred sedan.

The 911 all-wheel-drive system is mostly unchanged since its debut on the Carrera 4 that arrived in 1995. The system was offered for 2005 911s, but only on carryover 2004 911s -- not on the redesigned sixth-generation 911 (997-series) Carrera models that were Porsche's big news for the 2005 model year. The new all-wheel-drive models are livelier, with crisper handling.

The sixth-generation Carrera is the first totally redone 911 since Porsche gave the redesigned 996-series model a liquid-cooled rear engine in 1998 to lower emissions. Porsche had used only air-cooled rear engines for all its rear-engine cars since its inception in 1948.

The 2006 four-wheel-drive 911 is called the Carrera 4, with the "4'' standing for four-wheel drive. The Carrera 4 has a full-time four-wheel-drive system that can't be disengaged, so it really has an "all-wheel drive'' system. The 911 has been available with such a system since the arrival of the Carrera 4 that bowed for the 1989 model year, but the old system was heavier and less robust.

The 2006 Carrera 4's drive system normally distributes 5 percent of engine torque to the front wheels, but can shoot up to 40 percent to the front wheels if it detects rear wheel slip. The system provides enhanced directional stability and balanced power and traction through turns and on slippery roads.

The new Carrera 4 has a "wide body'' with flared wheel arches and fat rear fenders to accommodate a widened track and larger wheels and tires. It's nearly two inches wider than its rear-drive counterparts. Those features give the Carrera 4 a more aggressive demeanor. It looks especially purposeful.

Even with a wider body, which generally creates more air drag, the Carrera 4 has outstanding aerodynamics. The Carrera 4S rides about half an inch closer to the road because it comes with Porsche Active Suspension Management, which is optional for the Carrera 4. And the bottom of both versions has pear-shaped air scoops that reduce air resistance.

The 911 has had the same basic body shape since being introduced in Europe in 1963, but the longer, wider 2005 911 resembles the pre-1998 911 models especially loved by Porsche fans and has regained a lot of visual aggression. The new 911 Carrera 4 and more powerful Carrera 4S look even more aggressive.

The entry rear-drive 911 Carrera coupe lists at $71,300, while the 911 Carrera 4 coupe might cause some sticker shock because it costs $77,100 with its 3.6-liter, 325-horsepower six-cylinder engine.

The 911 Carrera 4S Coupe costs even more at $87,100 -- thanks partly to its more powerful 3.8-liter, 355-horsepower six-cylinder engine. Both engines have Porsche's traditional horizontally opposed pistons that enable them to sit low in the chassis for a lower center of gravity.

The 911 Carrera 4 also comes as a Cabriolet (convertible) for $87,100 with the 325-horsepower engine, and for $97,100 with the 355-horsepower Carrera 4S Cabriolet.

The prices are stiff, but 911s are beautifully built, last practically forever and have high resale values. The all-wheel-drive Carrera is about 100 pounds heavier than the conventional rear-drive 911 Carrera, but Porsche compensates for the extra weight by providing larger brakes and such.

The entry Carrera 4 Coupe I tested had the 325-horsepower engine and was a rocket, doing 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds with a claimed 174 mph top speed. But a driver must be in the right gear to get the best acceleration. The Carrera 4S does 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and can hit 179 mph. There's little difference between those performance figures, but the larger engine is more relaxed and doesn't call for as much shifting with its additional torque.

Both Carrera 4 models come with either a slick six-speed manual gearbox that works with a rather stiff clutch or optional five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission that allows manual shifting but takes away a lot of the car's driving fun.

Estimated fuel economy is 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway with the 3.6-liter engine and 17 and 25 with the 3.8-liter engine.

Porsche has refined its 911 to such an extent since the car's 1965 U.S. debut that it suffers from none of the old tail-heavy 911 "snap oversteer.'' That condition caused the rear end to suddenly swing out without warning if a driver didn't know how to, for instance, correctly accelerate quickly through curves.

The old saying was that there were two types of 911 drivers -- those who skidded off the road when the back end swung out and those who were destined to skid because of the oversteer. Good 911 drivers and racers knew how to avoid or control the oversteer, and Porsche 911s long ago got a formidable reputation for winning races when competing with front-engine cars.

The 911 Carrera 4 holds the road exceptionally well. The new mid-engine Porsche Cayman (September 26 AutoTimes) has a mid-engine setup, with the engine put ahead of the rear axle instead of behind it for less weight at the extreme rear end. But any 911 is faster because it has more power. And there's something to be said for having more weight over the rear wheels for added traction, as is the case with the 911.

The precise variable-ratio steering and brake feel are so good they're almost telepathic. The firm ride is supple, but lets occupants feel some road imperfections.

There's plenty of room up front for tall adults in the no-nonsense interior, which is quiet except for road noise from the big, wide tires. The supportive front seats have a Porsche-patented system engineered to better absorb vibration on long trips. There's little cockpit storage room. But two small rear seats can handle kids, and rear seatbacks can be flipped forward for more cargo space.

There's a deep, nicely shaped cargo area under the hood, but it's mainly suited for soft luggage. To add additional space, the spare tire has been replaced by a tire-repair kit.

The Carrera 4 and 4S have no less than six air bags. Options include ParkAssist, which provides an audible warning if the car is getting too close to an unseen object, and wood grain, aluminum or carbon interior trim, besides a roof transport rack system.

The 911 is the quintessential sports car, and giving it all-wheel drive just makes it more appealing. 

2006 PORSCHE 911 CARRERA 4 

PRICES
$77,100-$97,100

LIKES
All-wheel-drive road grip. Lightning Fast. Fantastic brakes. Rear child seats.

DISLIKES
Awkward manual driver seat adjuster. Stiff clutch. No spare tire.