Launch of 992 C4 underlines commitment to traditional Porsche power
Porsche has used the 68th International Motor Show at Frankfurt to release eight new models, including two new 911s, to underline its future product strategy. The company announced that moving forward it will focus on three drive technologies for its sports cars: highly emotive petrol engines, powerful plugin hybrid powertrains and all-electric drives. It demonstrated its commitment to continuing with the internal combustion engine by unveiling the 992 C4 Coupe and Cabriolet.
The new C4 in both Coupe and Cabriolet body styles borrows a water-cooled clutch and front differential from the 992 C4S.Wet Mode and PASM come as standard on the C4, though Porsche Torque Vectoring with an electrically controlled rear limited-slip differential will be optional. The C4 will adopt the same 19-inch front and 20-inch rear staggered wheel fitment as the C2.
Aside from black brake calipers instead of red, the only visual difference to a C4S can be found at the 992’s exhaust: the C4 features one rectangular single-tube exhaust on each side, whereas the C4S features twin ovals at each corner. This, however, can be mitigated with the selection of optional Sports Exhaust, which adopts a single oval exhaust each side of the 992’s licence plate recess.
Like the rear-driven base model, the all-wheel- drive C4’s 3.0-litre 9A2 Evo engine develops 385hp, the C4’s traction system allowing an identical 0-62mph sprint time of four seconds flat. Its slight weight penalty over the C2 returns a 181mph top speed, down a nominal 1mph from the C2. An eight-speed PDK gearbox remains a compulsory transmission choice for the 992, with a seven-speed manual option set to arrive early next year.
