The Porsche 911 is one of the few 20th century automotive icons to have continually served its original purpose since inception. Today, just as it did when it debuted at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Porsche 911 retains its classic teardrop profile, its rear-mounted six-cylinder engine, and its unfailing commitment to performance. Despite the passage of 45 years, the 911 remains immediately identifiable as such, yet under its timeless bodywork resides modern engineering designed to maximize acceleration, braking, and handling under any weather conditions, and through Porsche’s vast options list, buyers can custom-tailor a 911 to almost any taste. The 2009 Porsche 911 is available in 14 variants, ranging from the base 911 Carrera coupe to the ultra-high performance 911 GT2. This review pertains to the Carrera models: the Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4, and Carrera 4S, in coupe and convertible body styles.

For 2009, the Porsche 911 Carrera sees substantial changes. Here is a summary of the changes:
• New, more powerful, more fuel-efficient, direct-injected engines
• New Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) automated, double-clutch manual transmission
• Strengthened and refined six-speed manual transmission
• Larger, more powerful brakes
• New active-damping sports suspension option
• Bigger, touchscreen navigation and entertainment system with Bluetooth, iPod, and USB compatibility
• Available ventilated seats
• Revised front and rear styling
• New, larger side mirrors
• Bi-Xenon headlights and LED taillights
• New wheel designs

Porsche 911s can be individually tailored to a buyer’s tastes through myriad trim, color, décor, and option choices. The standard 911 Carrera canvas includes a manual transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system, and projector-type headlights. Additionally, the 911 has partial leather seats with a power recline feature and manual height adjustment, heated power side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers with heated washer nozzles, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a Homelink universal remote, a trip computer, automatic climate control, and a Bose audio system with a CD player. The Carrera 4 model adds all-wheel drive and bi-Xenon self-leveling headlights with washers, while the Carrera S adds a more powerful engine, 19 inch wheels, and a sport steering wheel.

A visit to the Porsche website illustrates the degree to which a 911 Carrera can be optioned. Aside from color and trim, the major performance enhancements include the PDK transmission, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), PASM Sports Suspension, a limited slip rear differential lock, and the Sport Chrono Package Plus with launch control.

Interior options include a choice between four optional seats, heated and ventilated seating, and a heated steering wheel. Navigation is optional, along with an improved Bose audio system, a CD changer, XM radio, Bluetooth connectivity, voice control, and an iPod integration kit. Rounding out the primary options list are dynamic cornering headlights and parking assist sensors.

There are two different engines offered on the 2009 Porsche Carrera models. The standard engine is a 3.6-liter flat-6 engine that makes 345 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 288 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400 rpm. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automated, double-clutch manual transmission delivers power to the rear or all four wheels, and this engine is rated by the EPA to return between 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, burning premium unleaded fuel.

The more powerful Carrera S is equipped with a 3.8-liter flat-6 engine making 385 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 310 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400. A six-speed manual or seven-speed automated, double-clutch manual transmission delivers power to the rear or all four wheels, and, like the slightly smaller flat-6 in the standard Carrera, this engine is rated by the EPA to return between 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, burning premium unleaded fuel. Our review vehicle, a 911 Carrera S convertible, returned an average of 17.1 mpg, with an emphasis on rapid acceleration from a stop.

The 2009 Porsche Carrera S is equipped with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard equipment. This active damping suspension comes with Normal or Sport settings, and lowers the Carrera 0.4 inch. It responds to vehicle acceleration and speed, steering angle, brake pressure, and engine torque to generate ideal suspension damping at all times. It can even respond to changes in the driver’s behavior behind the wheel. For 2009, a new PASM sports suspension option lowers the Carrera’s ride height 0.79 inches and produces an even firmer, tauter ride quality.

Standard safety equipment on every 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera includes dual front airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seating positions, and head airbags for the front seating positions that deploy from the door panel, allowing them to protect occupants of the convertible as well as the coupe. Additionally, the 911 Carrera comes standard with four-wheel, cross-drilled-disc ABS; a stability control system; and traction control. For 2009, the stability control system includes brake assist and brake “pre-charging,” which readies the braking system for maximum stopping power in the event the driver suddenly lifts off the throttle. A Start-Off Assistant feature holds the 911 still on hills while the driver switches from the brake to the accelerator, preventing the car from rolling backwards.

The 911 Carrera is also offered with additional standard or optional safety features, including headlights that can help to illuminate around corners, and parking sensors in the bumpers that help the driver determine maneuvering space in tight quarters, and which can detect objects near the vehicle.

J.D. Power and Associates says the 2009 Porsche 911 competes against other premium sporty vehicles such as the Audi R8, Cadillac XLR, Chevrolet Corvette, Dodge Viper, Jaguar XK, Lexus SC 430, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, and Nissan GT-R.