AIMS: Carrera 4 flies the flag for Porsche

PORSCHE’S latest all-wheel-drive 911, the Carrera 4, is the star of the German sportscar-maker’s stand at the Australian International Motor Show starting this week.

Fresh off the plane from Stuttgart, the coupe was rushed to Australia after being built in right-hand drive especially for the Sydney show so Porsche fans and potential buyers – including those who have already laid down deposits – could check it out in the flesh ahead of its local showroom launch early next year.

The Carrera 4 was given its global public debut at the Paris motor show only last month, fleshing out the latest 911 range – dubbed 991 Series – that was unveiled 12 months earlier in rear-wheel-drive form at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.

Like all new-generation 911s, the Carrera 4 is new from the ground up, incorporating a new platform that employs more aluminium, high-strength steel and composites to slice weight by about 45kg for better fuel economy and faster acceleration.

In the Carrera 4, the biggest difference is the AWD Porsche Traction Management system that shares the driving force around all four wheels.

From top: Porsche Cayenne GTS 911 Coupe and Cabriolet.

This time, however, the driver can see this happening via an indicator in the instrument cluster that shows how the power is being distributed between the front and rear axles.

Visually, the AWD ‘4’ models are distinguished by the wide-bodied rear bodywork that accommodates the broader rear wheels.

As well, a tail-light panel that runs the full width of the car under the rear spoiler, illuminating when the lights are on to distinguish the all-wheel-drive models from the base cars.

The AWD 911 will be offered in two body styles – coupe and cabrio – and two specification levels: Carrera 4 – armed with the 257kW 3.4-litre flat six engine – and Carrera 4S, with the bigger 294kW 3.8-litre engine.

The car being brought to Australia for the show is the Carrera 4S coupe, in Agate grey metallic paint with red leather interior.

Alongside this car on the Porsche stand will be a pair of rear-wheel-drive 911s, in coupe and cabrio forms, and a couple of examples of the 911’s little brother, the Boxster.

As well, the thumping Cayenne GTS – the tarmac-focused 309kW 4.8-litre V8 SUV – will be on display, along with the diesel version of Porsche’s flagship sedan, the Panamera.

Powered by an Audi-sourced 3.0-litre TDI V6, the diesel Panamera is Porsche’s most affordable Panamera, chiming in at $196,700 thanks to luxury car tax breaks afforded by its sub-7.0-litres per 100km fuel economy rating.