Those that prefer their Porsche 911 with the safety net of an all-wheel drive system can now start looking forward to the latest-generation Carrera 4 and 4S models, which Porsche has just unveiled.
Aimed mainly at countries with snowy roads, but still sold around the world, the '4' models show some serious dedication to the asphalt beneath them with an active all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management system.
As before, the Carrera 4 and 4S have wider rear wheel arches than the rear-wheel drive models and house rear wheels that are 10mm wider. Another signature feature that's been retained is the red light band that runs between the taillights.
A new feature is the all-wheel drive indicator in the instrument cluster, which lets the driver in on how the power is being distributed between the front and rear axles.
The all-wheel drive models are available in both Coupé and Cabriolet formats and, like their RWD counterparts, are 65kg lighter than their predecessors. Fuel economy has been improved by up to 16 percent.
As for engine power, drivers can choose between a 257kW 3.4-litre flat-six engine in the Carrera 4 and a 294kW 3.8-litre version of this engine in the 4S. Porsche claims the former will screech to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and the latter in 4.1 seconds.
All models come with a seven-speed manual gearbox as standard, but buyers can also opt for a seven-speed double-clutch PDK gearbox.
The launch of the '4' models also marks the introduction of radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control as an option across the range. What's more, Coupés now offer the option of a sliding glass sunroof.