Dial 911 For A Tan

With its superlative blend of athleticism and comfort, the latest 911 Cabrio is a real sizzler with the top up or down.

- Lionel Seah

Is the latest 911 Carrera S Cabriolet a true sports car, or a compromised poseur?

Ragtops are typically the more glamorous versions of two-door coupes.

But beneath their eyecatching appeal is the extra weight from bracing and roll bars that compensate for the lower structural integrity due to the lack of a fixed roof.

Like its predecessors, the car’s design is a case of evolution rather than revolution.

There are discreet styling cues that distinguish the new 911 Carrera S Cabriolet from the older one.

It is a tad bigger overall, although its wheelbase remains unchanged at 2450mm.

Within the more pronounced fenders are mixed tyre sizes (20 inches in front and 21 inches in the rear), which is a first for a standard 911.

The 911 Cabrio’s front and rear tracks have also been increased by 46mm and 39mm, respectively, giving it a more muscular and planted stance.

Despite having grown larger, the 911 Carrera S Cabriolet has only gotten 55kg heavier, and now weighs in at 1585kg.

The weight gain was mitigated with the use of more aluminium and a motorised fabric roof frame made from rigid but lightweight magnesium.

At a press of a button the soft-top can be raised or lowered within 12 seconds while the car is driven at speeds of up to 50km/h.

This is approximately two seconds quicker than before.

Compared with the 70kg lighter 911 coupe equivalent, performance hasn’t been blunted much.

The Carrera S Cabriolet performs the century sprint 0.4 of a second faster than the last Carrera S Cabrio.