- Free-revving flat six-cylinder engines
- Manual transmission has smooth and progressive clutch take-up
- Accurate steering provides good feedback
- Responsive brakes
- Generally impressive dynamics…
- … but limited by semi-trailing arm rear suspension
- Overly firm ride
- Lift-off oversteer
- Sensitive brake pedal
- Poor positioning of switchgear
- Odd automatic transmission behaviour for the uninitiated
Overview
Released in October 1989, the Porsche 964 911 Cabriolet was a two-seat convertible with a soft-top roof. The 911 Cabriolet was powered by a 3.6-litre horizontally-opposed (or flat) six-cylinder M64 petrol engine with oil/air cooling, dry-sump lubrication and a single overhead camshaft (per cylinder bank).
The 911 Cabriolet range consisted of rear-wheel drive Carrera 2 and four-wheel drive Carrera 4 variants, the latter solely available with a five-speed manual transmission – the Carrera 2, however, was available with a four-speed automatic transmission. From 1990, the Carrera 2 was available with a Tiptronic automatic transmission with adaptive electronic management. From 1992, the Carrera 2 was available with the 911 Turbo body which had wider rear wheel arches. In 1993, a limited-run Speedster variant was released (see below).
Suspension
The 964 911 Cabriolet had MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and an anti-roll bar; at the rear, there were semi-trailing arms (the previous 930 911 had a rear torsion bar), coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The 964 911 Cabriolet was also fitted with a rear spoiler which automatically deployed once the vehicle exceeded 80 km/h.
| Variant | Drive | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera 2 | RWD | 1989-94 | 3.6-litre petrol F6 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
184 kW at 6100 rpm | 310 Nm at 4800 rpm |
| Carrera 4 | 4WD | 1989-94 | 3.6-litre petrol F6 | 5sp man. | 184 kW at 6100 rpm | 310 Nm at 4800 rpm |
| Speedster | RWD | 1993 | 3.6-litre petrol F6 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
184 kW at 6100 rpm | 310 Nm at 4800 rpm |
4WD system
For Carrera 4 variants, the Porsche Dynamic Four-Wheel Drive (Porsche Dynamische Allrad Steuerung or PDAS) system consisted of an epicyclic (or planetary) centre gear differential and two electronically-controlled wet clutches which limited slip in both the centre and rear differentials. In normal conditions, the system provided a 31:69 front:rear torque split.
The longitudinal (inter-axle) clutch provided variable locking between the front and rear axle. When accelerating out of a corner, this longitudinal lock would direct more torque to the slower turning axle and the front:rear torque split was infinitely variable. The lateral (transverse) clutch, however, provided variable locking of the rear wheels to reduce lift-off oversteer when cornering (the ferraria effect).
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the 964 911 Cabriolet was initially limited to ABS. From 1993, however, the 911 Cabriolet was fitted with a driver’s airbag as standard.
Features
Standard features for the 911 Cabriolet included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats, leather trim, cruise control, front fog lights, central locking, power mirrors, power windows and an alarm.
1993 Porsche 911 Speedster
Released in 1993, the Speedster was positioned between the Carrera 2 cabriolet and the RS coupe and available in standard or lightweight (‘Clubsport’) trim. As a result, the Speedster had stiffer suspension, a manually-folding pram-like soft-top (which Porsche described as an ’emergency’ roof) and omitted some of the standard Carrera features.
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