At the lower edge of the rear flap is a red light strip providing a visual link between the two rear lights. Another distinguishing Carrera 4S feature is the rear spoiler, adopted from the 911 Carrera, which extends automatically at 120 km/h for safe road behavior at high speeds. Like the rear cover, the front end with its three characteristic dark-trimmed air intake openings has been taken from the 911 Turbo, but modified slightly: Raising the spoiler lip in the center adjusts front axle lift so that optimum´aerodynamic balance between axle lift forces is obtained.

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Maximum speed: 280 km/h

Compared with the Carrera 4, the weight has gone up slightly, resulting mainly from the wider rear end and more powerful brake system. However, this has only a minor effect on the thrust available from the 370 Nm, 235 kW (320 bhp) 3.6-liter Boxer (flat-six) engine, which accelerates the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and gives it a top speed of 280 km/h. Despite this vast power output and the high, flat torque curve, fuel consumption according to the EU standard test method is 11.4 liters per 100 kilometers, an improvement of more than seven percent compared with the previous 993-series model with 210 kW (285 bhp) rear engine.

This significant reduction in fuel consumption from the six-cylinder engine is mainly due to VarioCam Plus, which Porsche developed initially for the 911 Turbo, but which is now, with suitable settings, also used on naturally-aspirated engines in other 911 models. This system, which adds a valve lift changeover device on the inlet side to the "VarioCam" variable inlet camshaft system, consists of movable bucket-type tappets, which are actuated by an electrohydraulic 3/2-way valve. Different cam profiles are provided on the inlet camshaft, and brought into action with the corresponding valve lift values by repositioning the tappets.

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One could say that VarioCam Plus makes two engines out of one: the first has low valve lift and is ideal for city traffic and part-loads. The second engine, with greater valve lift, supplies three times as much torque within a fraction of a second and is designed for top performance.

The 3.6-liter flat-six 'Boxer' engine has four oxygen sensors in the exhaust system - one control and one diagnostic sensor for each cylinder bank. Together with secondary air injection, modern catalytic converter technology using metal monoliths enables the 911 Carrera 4S to comply with exhaust emission limits worldwide, including the EU 3 standard, which has been in effect since January 1, 2001, and the demanding LEV standard

Reliable traction

The Carrera 4S has four-wheel drive as a standard in both the six-speed manual-gearbox and Tiptronic S versions. With four-wheel drive including a multi-plate viscous coupling clutch in the driveline, the front wheels apply a constant minimum of five percent of total tractive force to the road, but up to 40 percent if more is needed. Rather than ultimate traction, the emphasis is on supreme behavior and safety. In conjunction with four-wheel drive, the "Porsche Stability Management" (PSM) electronic dynamic driving control system makes driving particularly safe and is also standard equipment.

Same brake system as on the Turbo

With its Turbo brake system, the new 911 Carrera 4S has the same exceptional braking performance as the 911 GT2 and 911 Turbo. Unlike the Carrera models, larger uprated fourpiston fixed calipers are responsible for deceleration at the front and rear wheels. The drilled, internally ventilated brake discs are of course larger than before: the diameter at the front is 330 millimeters and the width 34 millimeters. The rear brake discs have the same diameter and are 28 millimeters wide. This system guarantees extreme braking power even in the toughest conditions such as motor racing.

Significantly longer standard equipment list than on Carrera models

As far as equipment is concerned, Porsche leaves the Carrera 4S's exclusive position in no doubt, placing it very close to the 911 Turbo and therefore giving it a considerably larger number of standard equipment items than on other Carrera models. In addition to four-wheel drive and Porsche Stability Management, these include special 18-inch wheels of Turbo design and 295/30 R 18 rear tires, a brake system increased in size, red brake calipers, metallic paint finishes, an audio system with 'sound package', electrically adjustable seats with a position memory function and all leather upholstery and trim.