Despite Porsche unveiling the 911 Turbo Coupe earlier this year, Porsche ->ke1 decided to make us wait a little bit longer for the Convertible version. We're not too sure why Porsche waited so long, but to no surprise, the convertible version features the same design language and features as the Turbo coupe->ke141.

Just like with the coupe, the new 911 Turbo Convertible will be about 1.1 inches wider than the base 911 Carrera 4->ke282 and will receive a new all-wheel-drive system, active rear-axle steering and adaptive aerodynamics. The main difference is, of course, the fabric top that opens and closes in just 13 seconds.

The new 911 Turbo Convertible will be put on sale early next year at a starting price of $160,700 for the Turbo->ke571 version and $193,900 for the Turbo S version.

Updated 09/23/2013: This review was updated with the official details, images and specs.

Click past the jump to read more about the new Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible.

porsche-911-turbo-convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: porsche-911-turbo-convertible
Pros
Cons

2014 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible
  • Engine/Motor: flat-6
  • Horsepower: 520 @ 6000
  • Torque: 524 @ 2100
  • Transmission: Seven-Speed PDK
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

With exception to its convertible top and the slight change in roofline that it brings, the 911 Turbo Cabriolet carries the exact same design language as its coupe brother. the driver can operate the drop top at speeds of up to 31 mph, and it takes just 13 seconds to completely lower it. Also included is a newly developed power wind deflector that allows the driver to enjoy the sunshine without tons of turbulence and with minimal wind noise. The wind deflector takes just two seconds to deploy and stays active all the way up to 75 mph.

Just like its coupe sibling, the 911 Turbo Convertible is equipped with Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA), which includes a retractable, three-stage front spoiler and a deployable rear wing with three positions. At low speeds, the front spoiler and rear wing hide out of site to give the 911 a sleek look. At about 75 mph, they partially extended to add extra downforce with minimal drag. At higher speeds, the driver can fully extend the spoiler and wing, giving the 911 maximum downforce.

Also, new in the 911 Turbo models are revised LED headlights equipped with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS+).

Exterior Dimensions:

Wheelbase

96.46 inches

Width

74.02 inches w/o mirrors

Length

177.4 inches

Height

51.02 inches


Interior

The interior, to no surprise, will also be identical to the coupe version. For the Turbo S version, Porsche offers a Black/Carrera Red trim combined with adaptive Sport Seat Plus seats with 18-way adjustment and memory. The backrest shells of the seats are leather trimmed with double cap seams, while numerous other elements are trimmed in carbon fiber.

As standard, the new 911 Turbo Cabriolet receives a Bose sound system, but buyers can opt for a Burmester system. Also optional it a radar-controlled adaptive Cruise Control system, a camera-based road sign and speed limit recognition function, and rearview camera.

Drivetrain

Under the hood, the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible features a turbocharged 3.8-liter, six-cylinder engine that delivers 520 horsepower. In the Turbo S variant, this 3.8-liter, six-pot cranks out 560 horsepower. This powerful six hooks up to a seven-speed PDK transmission. This drivetrain combines to zip the 911 Turbo Convertible to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and the Turbo S in 3 seconds flat, and up to a respective top speed of 195 mph and 197 mph.

Both variants maintain respectable fuel economy for their output, as they come in at 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Drivetrain Specifications

Model

911 Turbo Convertible

911 Turbo S Convertible

Displacement

3.8L

3.8L

Max. Power (HP @ RPM)

520 @ 6000 - 6500

560 @ 6500 - 6750

Max. Torque (FT-LB @ RPM)

487 @ 1950 - 5000 rpm

516 @ 1950 - 5000

Max. Torque with Overboost (FT-LB @ RPM)

524 @ 2100 - 4250

524 @ 2200 - 4000

Compression ratio

9.8:1

9.8:1

Transmission

Seven-Speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)

Seven-Speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)

Drivetrain

Active all-wheel

Active all-wheel

Top Track Speed

195 MPH

197 MPH

Acceleration (0 - 60 MPH)

3.3 Sec. (3.1 W/ Sport Chrono)

3 Sec.

Quarter Mile

11.5 Sec. (11.3 W/ Sport Chrono)

11.1 Sec.

City

17 MPG, Est.

17 MPG, Est.

Highway

24 MPG, Est.

24 MPG, Est.


Suspension and Brakes

The new 911 Turbo models were built on a new chassis and sit on a wheelbase that is 3.93 inches longer than last year’s model, giving it a more secure stance. Twenty-inch wheels come standard on the 911 Turbo Convertible, as do Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) for decreased stopping distances and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) to help improve its handling characteristics.

For the first time, the 911 Turbo is equipped with a rear axle steering that enhances both day-to-day usability and performance. It features two electromechanical actuators, which are installed on the rear axle instead of conventional toe control arms and controls the wheels of the 911 from +/- 2.8 degrees in the opposite direction to or the same direction as the steering angle on the front axle, as needed.

Prices

Model

Model

Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible

$160,700

Porsche 911 Turbo S Convertible

$ 193,900


Spy Shots

From the uncovered model that we caught in a parking lot, you can easily see that the 911 Turbo Cabriolet offers up no surprises at all. It carries all of the same updates as the coupe model, including the revised taillight, updated headlights and new exhaust exits.

Rendering

As you can see above, our rendering of the 911 Turbo Convertible was fairly accurate, but there were a few flaws. We were incorrect on the hood louvers, the type of spoiler and the shape of the rear air outlets. Overall, however, the rendering was pretty spot on for being so early in the process.

Competitors

2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder

The Audi R8 V10 Spyder was unveiled in 2008 and for the 2014 model year, it received a small revision. The model received a new single-frame grille, a new bumper and a new carbon-fiber front splitter. The entire lineup received new headlamps with LED technology.

Under the hood, the R8 V10 received a hand-built 5.2-liter V-10 engine that delivers a total of 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. With these updates, the R8 V10 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 193.25 mph.

Audi priced the R8 V10 Spyder at $164,700 for the manual version and at $173,800 for the S tronic version.

Aston Martin Vantage V12 Roadster

The V12 Vantage is powered by a 6.0-liter, V-12 engine producing 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This amount of power is enough to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and up to a top speed of 190 mph.

Conclusion

Despite the extended wait, the 911 Turbo Convertible offers no surprises when compared to what we have seen in the coupe model. While the model was offered as an evolution, not a revolution -- in true Porsche spirit -- it does indeed offer some major updates over the previous generation that will make it even more competitive among competition. We are a little put off on the timing of the release, as summer is quickly winding down, which means the convertible-buying season is nearly over.