After a model run of 34 years, Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) today is introducing a totally new Porsche 911 Carrera at the 1998 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show and North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

According to PCNA President and CEO Frederick J. Schwab, this event was inevitable. "We had developed the original Porsche 911 design to the maximum, a point which put it at the epitome of sports car designs," he said. "But our commitment was to take the basic 911 concepts and produce the world's best sports car, and to do this we needed to start with a clean sheet of paper and incorporate newer development and manufacturing techniques.

"And, what better time than 1998, during our golden anniversary, to introduce, again, the world's greatest sports car!"

Developed concurrently with the Boxster to maximize production efficiencies and keep costs under control, the 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera shares many design, technological and engineering features with the two-seat roadster which was introduced last year. Among the shared features are totally new liquid-cooled engines, brake systems, optional child seats which can automatically deactivate the passenger air bag system and, clearly, a strong family appearance.

From both a design and engineering perspective, however, the new 911 Carrera is quite obviously a Porsche 911. As with every 911 model since its introduction in 1965, the 1999 Carrera is powered by a horizontally opposed, six-cylinder boxer motor mounted behind the rear axle. The new engine is more compact yet more powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor.

The new six-cylinder boxer engine displaces 3.4 liters (207 cubic inches), has double overhead camshafts, Porsche's VarioCamTM valve timing system, resonance intake system, Bosch Motronic M 5.2 ignition/fuel injection controls, and develops 296 horsepower (221 kW) and 258 ft. lbs. (350 Nm) of torque.

While the new Carrera's body is longer, wider and sleeker than any before it, offering greater passenger cabin space and refinement, its design distinctly is an evolutionary one, inspired by the car's heritage.

The Porsche heritage also is evident in the engineering beneath the new sheetmetal. The 911 has independent, aluminum-alloy front and rear suspensions, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock system (ABS), power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and a six-speed manual transmission. (An optional new five-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission is available.)

An automatic climate control system, power mirrors, windows and locks (with integrated security system and remote control), leather seating surfaces, AM/FM/cassette audio system, sunroof and cruise control are among the interior features standard on the new 911.

Rounding out the list of standard features for every new 911 Carrera sold in the United States and Canada is a four-year (doubled from two), 50,000-mile (80,000-kilometer) limited warranty.

Familiar Shape

Over the previous model's lifetime, its body had been refined several times. However, in the course of its 34-year life, the roofline and windshield had always remained the same as the original 1965 model. For 1999, the roofline as well as the windshield and every other body section is totally new.

The car's wheelbase has been increased to 92.6 inches (2350 mm), or 3.2 inches (78 mm) more than the previous model. Its overall length has grown to 174.5 inches (4430 mm), an increase of 6.8 inches (170 mm). Its width has grown 1.2 inches (30 mm), up to 69.5 inches (1765 mm) from 68.3 inches (1735 mm). Though the car stands the same 51.8 inches (1315 mm) tall, its laden ground clearance is now nearly one inch (20 mm) less than before. In effect, it's taller as well. Besides more interior space, there is also more storage space thanks to a larger front luggage compartment and more stowage behind the rear seats.

By smoothing the 911's flanks, raking the windshield more, designing windows that fit flush to the sheetmetal, and minimalizing joints and seams, Porsche's designers have reduced the 911's coefficient of drag from the previous model's 0.34 to 0.30. From its front bumper to the windshield, the 911 shares its look and contours with the Boxster. From the front A-pillars back, the Carrera is unique. The A-pillars have a more rakish angle than ever before, as the windshield angle has been revised from the previous 60 degrees to 55 degrees.

The car's body is largely constructed of high-strength steel and helps form the vehicle's structure. In fact, the new body is structurally stiffer than its predecessor. Torsional stiffness, or resistance to twisting motions, has been increased by 45 percent. Bending stiffness has been increased by 50 percent. These increases in structural rigidity increase handling performance as well as improving ride comfort and reducing interior noise. Predetermined deformability of the steel plate body helps to minimize loads acting on the car's occupants in an accident.

The quieter, smoother ride is complemented by the 911's new passenger cabin. Larger than before with more space in every dimension, the Carrera's passenger compartment offers a new dashboard design, instrument panel layout, dual front and side air bags, a telescoping steering column and an automatic temperature control system. Also noteworthy - for the first time, the 911 has suspended brake and clutch pedals. The accelerator pedal is still floor mounted.

Porsche's new Side Impact Protection System incorporates both energy-absorbing door linings and door-mounted air bags which cover the entire side areas regardless of driver and passenger seating positions. The design enhances protection of the driver's and passenger's head, chest, arms and hips.

With its additional wheelbase and increased length, the 1999 911 Carrera has more front and rear legroom as well as cargo space behind the rear seats. Thanks to the lower floor and reshaped roofline, there is also additional headroom. In fact, the new 911 with a sliding sunroof has more headroom than the previous model had without one.

Like the instrument panel of the Boxster, the Carrera offers redundant speedometers - a digital speedometer at the bottom of the prominent tachometer echoes the analog unit beside the tach - as well as a coolant temperature gauge.

New Engine

As has been the car's history, the 1999 Porsche 911 is powered by a six-cylinder boxer engine, mounted in the rear. However, for the first time in its 34-year life, the 911 engine is fully liquid cooled. Porsche engineers decided to use a six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine for the same reasons as previously: the engine's low center of gravity, compactness, smoothness and durability.

In its most modern form, the Porsche 911 engine displaces 3.4 liters (207 cubic inches). It has a compression ratio of 11.3:1 and develops 296 horsepower (221 kW) at 6800 rpm and 258 ft. lbs. (350 Nm) of torque at 4600 rpm, with 220 ft. lbs. (300 Nm) available between 2700 and 7000 rpm. This represents a five-percent increase in peak power despite a six-percent reduction in displacement.

The engine's block and cylinder heads are constructed of pressure-cast aluminum alloy. The motor features dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, Porsche's VarioCam variable intake camshaft timing system, a dual-stage intake system, Bosch Motronic M 5.2 engine management with a direct-ignition coil at each cylinder, and hot-film air-mass sensing.

Besides its basic configuration, the new engine shares many features and specifications with its predecessor. The 11.3:1 compression ratio is the same as before, as are its bore centers, which are spaced 4.65 inches (118 mm) apart. These are the same bore centers as the Boxster engine to allow efficient manufacturing and reduced costs. Efficiencies are further increased with the 911 engine's two cylinder heads being identical and interchangeable. However, unlike its predecessor, this engine's oil reservoir is integral with the engine, not a remotely mounted tank. Porsche refers to this design as integrated dry sump lubrication. Other innovations to the engine include a dual-stage intake system with a computer-controlled valve and the lack of an ignition distributor - each cylinder has its own ignition coil attached directly to its spark plug.

New Transmissions

The new Porsche 911 Carrera may be equipped with either a manual transmission or, as an extra-cost option, Tiptronic S automatic gearbox driving a limited-slip differential. Both transmissions have been substantially refined and changed from their predecessors.

The manual gearbox is more compact than its predecessor, has six forward speeds with closer gear ratios than before, and is equipped with a hydraulically operated clutch and cable-actuated shift mechanism. The optionally available Tiptronic S has five forward speeds, a lock-up torque converter, revised shift console pattern from previous models, steering wheel spoke actuator buttons for manual operation, and five automatic shift mode programs for specific driving styles and conditions.

As with the Boxster, the Carrera uses a dual-mass engine flywheel and a cable-type shift mechanism to isolate the driver and the shift lever from movement and noise from the manual transmission. The ergonomically designed aluminum shift knob follows a four-column shift pattern.

The six-speed gearbox features full synchronization, including reverse, with external dual-cone synchronizers. To better take advantage of the new engine's torque and power characteristics, the 911's gear ratios have been altered from the previous model, though its final drive remains the same. Sixth gear is an overdrive, and the car's top speed is attained in sixth.

As on the previous 911 and the Boxster, the Tiptronic S offers the driver the choice of allowing the transmission to shift through the gears automatically or to manually shift up and down. For 1999, the Carrera's Tiptronic S, like the unit in the Boxster, has five forward gears, with closer gear spacing than before, for better use of the engine's power and torque. Fourth gear is a direct 1:1 drive, while fifth is an overdrive for reduced fuel consumption and noise while cruising. Leaving the gear selector in "D" allows the transmission to operate like other automatic transmissions, while moving to "M" means the steering wheel spoke mounted buttons control up- and downshifts according to driving style and conditions.

When left in the fully automatic drive setting, the Tiptronic S bases its gear changes on inputs from several electronic sensors. There are five distinct shift "maps" programmed into the Tiptronic's electronic control unit. Based on the driver's style and the driving conditions, the control unit adapts the appropriate program. To further ensure smooth shifts, the electronic control units of the Tiptronic S and the engine work together to briefly suppress engine ignition during each shift.

For 1999, the Carrera may also be equipped with Porsche's automatic brake differential (ABD). This extra-cost option is a traction control system to help start the car moving on slippery surfaces. The system relies on both the ABS and engine management electronic control units to apply and release the brakes (cycling in fractions of a second) to prevent each driving wheel from spinning. ABD also prevents the two driving wheels from spinning concurrently by adjusting both the ignition and fuel injection to reduce engine power.

New Suspension and Steering

As befits an ultra high-performance sports car, the new 911 has an independent suspension system. Like the Boxster and previous 911 models, the 1999 Carrera uses a MacPherson strut-type front suspension. The rear suspension is a unique five-link setup with Porsche's "Weissach" toe-in/toe-out correction for neutral behavior during cornering. In addition, the car features force-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering as well as four-wheel disc brakes with ABS.

Both front and rear suspensions are made of forged and cast aluminum components and are attached to the car's structure via aluminum alloy subframes for improved isolation and chassis stiffness. Gas-charged shock absorbers are used front and rear.

The steering wheel features a telescoping adjustment and can be moved approximately 1.6 inches (40 mm) toward or away from the driver to comfortably accommodate any driver from a fifth percentile female to a 95th percentile male. With the new steering gear, for the first time mounted ahead of the front axle to improve steering response, the 911's turning circle has been reduced to 34.8 feet (10.6 meters).

New Brakes

Furthering Porsche's signature braking ability, the new Carrera is equipped with vented, cross-drilled front and rear brake discs equipped with four-piston single piece (monobloc) aluminum calipers. The monobloc calipers represent a 21 percent weight savings over the previous design and provide better brake pedal feel and superior brake cooling. These brakes are derived from Porsche's LeMans race cars.

To ensure lock-up free braking and continued steering control under emergency braking, even on slippery surfaces, the brakes are equipped with the latest Bosch ABS 5.3 anti-lock system. The front rotors are 12.53 inches (318 mm) in diameter and 1.10 inches (28 mm) thick. The rear rotors measure 11.78 inches (299 mm) in diameter and 0.95 inches (24 mm) thick.

Wheels and Tires

Standard wheels are 17-inch diameter light alloy. Optionally available are 18-inch, hollow spoke wheels. The standard tires are 205/50 ZR-17, front, and 255/40 ZR-17, rear. Optional tires are 225/40 ZR-18, front and 265/35 ZR-18, rear. Tires are available from several manufacturers.

The 1999 911 Carrera is equipped with a high-pressure spare tire, replacing the previous model's collapsible unit. And, due to an increase in its size, the front luggage compartment now easily holds a flat tire.

Warranty

Every 1999 Porsche 911 Carrera sold in the United States and Canada is covered by a four-year, 50,000-mile (80,000 kilometer), bumper-to-bumper limited warranty, which includes Porsche's roadside assistance program. The galvanized body and 26-step paint and anti-corrosion process enable Porsche to warrant each car against rust perforation for 10 years and unlimited mileage.

Leasing and Financing

Leasing, financing and balloon payment plans for new and pre-owned Porsche sports cars are offered by Porsche Credit Corporation. Conventional fixed rate financing is available for new and qualifying used Porsches with standard terms up to 84 months and 72 months, respectively.

For lease customers, the Porsche Preferred Lease program is available for new and qualified used Porsches with lease terms as long as 60 months. The Porsche Preferred Lease requires no security deposit and offers free gap protection. A single payment lease is also available.

Porsche Options, an innovative retail balloon loan, combines the economies of leasing with the benefits of ownership for new and qualifying used Porsches. Porsche Credit Corporation also offers conventional and Porsche Options financing to U.S. customers participating in Porsche Cars North America's tourist delivery program.