2020 Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera Cabriolet: A Short Walk

• The new 911 Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet expand the 911 range.
• Model-specific turbos help the six-cylinder engine deliver up to 380 horsepower.
• Expect new 911s this fall with all-wheel drive options coming later.

Following the introduction of the latest evergreen 911s, the Carrera S and 4S, Porsche is once again expanding the 911 Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet range. And it won't just be fluffy cars with badges, no. In 2020, Carreras will produce turbojet engines for one model. Yas, Yas. The one word that should strike fear into the hearts of your rivals (and you, if you've ever gone beyond the original 911/930 Turbo). Either way, Porsche is back for another piece of Apple performance in 2020.

This is obviously very good news, but what makes the Carrera different from the S and 4S?

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera: Engine and Transmission

For starters, as in the 2020 911 S and 4S, the new Carrera and Cabriolet are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine. For the Carrera, the model-specific turbochargers put out a very healthy 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft. torque. That equates to a nine-horsepower punch from the previous 911 Carrera. The standard gearbox is an eight-speed PDK that allows the 2020 911 Carrera to hit 60 in four seconds. If you opt for the optional Sport Chrono package, this time drops to 3.8 seconds. Either time is working on an improvement over the previous 911 Carrera Coupe with PDK gearbox.

The convertible offers similar performance numbers. 60 mph takes 4.2 seconds, or four seconds if you use the optional Sport Chrono package. The hardtop 911 Carrera tops out at 182 mph, while the 911 Carrera Cabriolet can hit 180. Porsche goes out of its way to claim that this is "top speed".

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Suspension, Tires and Braking

Both the 911 Carrera and Carrera Cabriolet come with Porsche Active Suspension or PASM. Like the Carrera S and 4S, this electronically adjustable damping system comes standard and offers two selectable modes: normal and sport. The wheels have a stepped diameter: 19 inches in front and 20 inches in the rear. They are fitted with tires 235/40 ZR 19 and 295/35 ZR 20 respectively. There is an optional 20/21" step setup pulled from the Carrera S and 4S.

Related: It's best to consult your doctor before riding a Porsche 911 Speedster.

The brakes, always Porsche's strengths, are fitted with internally vented gray cast iron rotors with cross drilling. It's 13 inches, both front and rear, and is fitted with black four-piston calipers. If you want to stop even faster, Porsche ceramic composite brakes are available. As with S models, Wet Mode is standard equipment. Wet mode automatically detects water and matches the stability control and anti-lock braking system. It even alerts the driver.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera Convertible. Photo: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

2020 Porsche 911 Carrera: exterior and interior treatments

On the outside, 911 Carrera models feature fender flares and a front luggage compartment lid reminiscent of classic 911s. There's also a new, full-length LED strip extending across the rear. Get used to it, it will be a Porsche signature for a while. The only difference between the standard 911 Carreras and the S/4S derivatives are the exhaust ports. Standard 911 Carrera models have a large, rectangular, single-pipe tailpipe on each side; while S models get a set of round twin tailpipes on each side. An optional Sport Exhaust system is available.