Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet - 2003 Model

Standard: the electrohydraulic roof

The folding roof on the new 911 Cabriolet opens - and closes - automatically within just 20 seconds. The roof can be operated in three ways: by a switch in the centre console, by remote control using the ignition key, or via the key in the door lock. Additionally, as a new feature for this model year, operation can now take place whilst driving up to a speed of 31 mph (50km/h).

Standard: automatic pop-up roll-over protection

In the unlikely event of a roll-over, two roll-bars will efficiently protect all four occupants in the 911 Cabriolet. As soon as sensors determine that the car is in a roll-over situation, the two roll-bars are forced up by a spring, then held securely in that position by a mechanical arrest mechanism.

Standard: sidebags designed specifically for a convertible

Porsche has developed special side airbags for the new 911 Cabriolet and the Boxster. Thanks to their extra size and geometry, these side airbags ensure efficient protection at both head and chest level, even when driving with the roof and side windows down. Porsche offers side airbags (POSIP) as standard on all models.

Rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive - the choice is yours

The Carrera Cabriolet is available with either rear-wheel drive or permanent four-wheel drive, the same drivetrain technology used in the Carrera coupe and Carrera 4 coupe. As with its coupe cousin, the Carrera 4 Cabriolet also benefits from Porsche Stability Management (PSM) as standard. PSM is also available as an option on the rear-wheel drive version of the Cabriolet.

Supreme performance

The 911 Cabriolet is one of the fastest open sports cars in the world. Powered by a 3.6-litre flat-six producing 320bhp (235kW), the 911 Cabriolet will reach 177mph (285km/h) and can accelerate from 0 to 62mph (100km/h) in 5.2 seconds; that is a level of performance few standard production cars can attain, whether they are hard-top or soft-top.

Glass rear window

For the first time the 911 Cabriolet is now available with a heated glass rear window, which not only improves rear visibility but also adds to comfort when driving in cold and wet weather. The new rear window is also less likely to suffer from scratching when ice is scraped from it in the winter. A further remarkable feature is the roof’s folding system - as on the Boxster, it folds up like the letter Z. The upper side of the roof therefore always faces outwards, even when the roof is open, thus protecting the inner roof lining from dirt.

Lighweight aluminium hardtop at no extra cost

An easily removable lightweight aluminium hardtop is included in the price of the 911 Cabriolet. Despite its very strong and stable double-skinned construction and heated glass rear window, the hardtop weighs a mere 33kg, making it easy to handle by driver and passenger.

Extra luggage space With its large luggage compartment at the front able to accommodate most standard suitcases and ample storage space in the rear of the cabin when the back seats are folded flat, the 911 Cabriolet also outperforms most comparable sports cars for storage capacity.