The 1998 Porsche Carrera 4S

The 1998 Carrera 4S combines the widebody exterior design of the famed All-wheel drive 911 Turbo and the Turbo's all-wheel-drive system with the normally-aspirated 911 engine. Included with the Carrera 4S are Turbo-look 18-inch pressure-cast alloy wheels and the same power-assisted, internally vented four-piston disc brakes used on the 911 Turbo. The Carrera 4S six-speed manual gearbox is optimized for smooth, light and precise shifting. The side rocker panels and wider rear fenders of the Carrera 4S were adapted from the widebody design used on the Porsche 911 Turbo. The Carrera 4S, like styling the legendary Turbo, has a front air dam with large air intakes to provide additional cooling air for the engine and auxiliary equipment. The Carrera 4S has a speed-dependent, extendible rear spoiler.

FEATURES - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S retains the familiar 911 silhouette, and incorporates all the aerodynamic and safety refinements made to the 911. Key features include the 3.6 liter flat-six 282-horsepower engine, six-speed manual transmission, all-wheel-drive system, high-performance all-disc brakes with ABS, high-performance tires on alloy wheels, welded unitized body of double-sided galvanized steel, aluminum suspension components, speed-dependent extendible rear spoiler, second-generation side-impact protection, heated windshield washer nozzles, fog lamps incorporated into the front spoiler, and modular polyellipsoid headlamps with a headlamp washer system. Litronic gas-discharge headlamps, which are twice as powerful as halogen headlamps while using 30 percent less electrical current, are optional.

VARIORAM - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The Varioram resonance system is designed to change over quickly between two engine speed ranges. From 5800 rpm up, a resonance flap opens, exposing another resonance cross-section between the resonance compartments of the two cylinder banks. The intake manifold's resonant frequency is then optimized for very high engine speeds. Combining ram effect charging and resonance charging, a combination unique to the Varioram intake manifold, high torque is produced across the entire engine speed range. Torque is improved by 18 percent at mid-range engine speeds between 2500 and 4500 rpm. A peak output of 229 ft. lbs. (310 Nm) of torque is achieved at 3500 rpm, compared with 193 ft. lbs. (262 Nm) on the earlier engine design. The torque gain is reflected in the acceleration time from 50 mph (80 kph) to 75 mph (120 kph) in fifth gear, which has been reduced by about 18 percent. With Varioram in place, it is possible to drive in a higher gear and with lower engine speeds with no loss in engine flexibility. Engine output with Varioram has increased from 270 hp (200 kW) to 282 hp Horsepower (210 kW), and maximum torque from 243 ft. lbs. ( 330 Nm) to 250 ft. lbs. and torque (340 Nm). The high specific output and exceptional pulling power of the increased 3.6 liter Varioram engine make the best of everyday driving, with the added benefit of lower fuel consumption.

EMISSIONS SYSTEM - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

A monitoring system for all components with exhaust emission control OBD II relevance is a feature of all 1998 Porsche 911 engines. Any time the car is driven, the OBD II (on-board diagnostics, second generation) system measures the efficiency of the catalytic converter, identifies misfiring, and monitors the fuel system, fuel tank venting, secondary-air injection, oxygen sensors and other components and systems which affect exhaust emissions.

TRANSMISSION - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S comes with a six-speed manual transmission. Six-speed Modifications to the transmission have made the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S manual more enjoyable to drive in everyday conditions. Dual-cone synchronizers for first and second gears, along with ball-bearing sleeves which reduce friction and enhance shift precision, are features of the manual gearbox that make shifting action more precise and driving a 911 even more pleasant. The six-speed transmission weighs virtually the same as the previous five-speed version. Weight savings coupled with operating efficiencies were design parameters throughout development of the Porsche Carrera 4S. (The Tiptronic S automatic transmission is not available on the Carrera 4S).

ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The same all-wheel-drive (AWD) system used on the 1997 Porsche 911 Turbo Viscous is used on the 1998 Carrera 4S Coupe. At 111 pounds (50 kg), the system clutch is half the weight of the earlier Carrera 4 AWD system and is 33 percent more efficient in operation. A maintenance-free viscous center clutch controls power distribution between the front and rear wheels. The viscous clutch, which runs in silicone fluid, responds to power, engine speed and temperature differences to vary the amount of slip between the front and rear axles. If both rear wheels spin, the center clutch diverts engine power to the front wheels, ensuring that maximum traction is always available. Torque split between the rear wheels is regulated by a conventional rear locking differential. The viscous clutch and rear differential act together to divert engine torque to the wheels with the most traction. Porsche's Automatic Brake Differential (ABD) system augments rear differential brake action. Should one rear wheel begin to spin, the locking differential transmits the power to the other wheel which still has traction. If this is not sufficient to restore traction, then ABD, using input from the anti-lock brake system sensors, applies braking power to the slipping wheel to help initiate traction. The ABD system functions at speeds up to 43 miles per hour (70 kph). The three-way combination of locking differential, ABD and all-wheel drive provides greater directional stability and offers maximum traction on less-than-ideal road surfaces. All-wheel drive reduces weight transfer differences, which can affect stability, by allowing the maximum of the Carrera 4S's weight to be used at all times to help maintain traction.

SUSPENSION - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The Porsche 911 Carrera 4S front suspension is an evolution of the MacPherson-type strut, coil spring and stabilizer bar unit from past 911 models that provides increased stability, excellent handling and ride comfort. Due to design changes made to most suspension components, the suspension system weighs some 6.6 pounds (3 kg) less than its predecessor, thus improving driving characteristics by reducing unsprung weight. Porsche's Lightweight-Stable-Agile (LSA) multi-link, subframe-mounted rear suspension system has replaced the semi-trailing arms and struts of previous 911 models. Four lateral links in two horizontal planes, which appear like upper and lower A-arms, provide precise wheel control. A refined version of the "Weissach" suspension pioneered on the Porsche 928 helps improve stability by using the outside rear wheel toe-in during cornering. Stability, regardless of side forces, and precise tracking are the system's virtues. The LSA package, in addition to the four links, includes dual gas shock absorbers, coil springs and a rear-mounted forged aluminum subframe.

BRAKES, WHEELS AND TIRES - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

Porsche cars have made their reputation on their braking as well as their ABS 5 acceleration and cornering, and the 1998 Carrera 4S carries on that tradition. The Carrera 4S and all other 911 variants use large-diameter, internally vented and cross-drilled rotors, four-piston calipers and asbestos-free brake pads, augmented by the Bosch ABS 5 anti-lock braking system. The 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S comes equipped with Turbo-look 18-inch pressure-cast alloy wheels (SJ by 18 inches in the front and lOJ by 18 inches in the rear) fitted with steel-belted radial 225/40 ZR-18 tires up front and 285/30 ZR-18 rear tires.

INTERIOR - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

The 1998 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S interior features Porsche's 2+2 leather Standard seating package with power height adjustment (optional full electrical equipment adjustment), and a white-on-black instrument panel including five round analog gauges, with the ignition switch to the left of the steering wheel. Carrera 4S interior equipment includes dual front airbags, three-point restraints for driver and passengers, automatic temperature control air conditioning, power windows, electronic sunroof, central locking and alarm system with immobilizer and remote entry system, heated external rearview mirrors, individually folding rear seat backs, leather-covered steering wheel, interior lights with delayed shut off, cruise control, cassette/coin holder and door trim panels with covered armrest bins and open map pockets.

AUDIO - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

A six-speaker AM/FM/cassette audio system manufactured by Becker is Audio standard on the Carrera 4S. System features include a head unit with system removable control panel f for security), electronic tuning and digital display. Available options include an in-dash compact disc player, a remote CD changer, a 10-speaker 150-watt audio system, and digital signal processing.

OPTIONS - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

Other significant options available for the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S are Options full-power leather sport seats, Litronic high intensity discharge headlamps, sport chassis (with larger front and rear stabilizer bars, stiffer springs, specially tuned front and rear shock absorbers), a rear-seat delete package, infrared security system and limited-slip differential with automatic brake differential (ABD).

WARRANTY - Buy The Porsche Carrera 4S Here

Every new Porsche sports car is covered by a two-year bumper-to-bumper limited warranty with unlimited mileage, which includes Porsche's roadside warranty assistance program. The galvanized body and 26-step paint and anti-corrosion qrocess enable Porsche to warrant each car against rust perforation for 10 years and unlimited mileage. In addition, the paint has a three-year limited warranty.

Copyright © 1985-2001 AutoPricing / VIS. All rights reserved. *Values are subjective opinions based on the Staff of NABA / VIS and recent market conditions. National Automobile Bankers Associates / Vehicle Information Services is not responsible for actual or claimed deviation. Copyright 1993-2001 NABA/VIS. Auto Pricing a service of VIS. 561-394-0610