Skip advert
Advertisement

Porsche 911

Porsche's new range-topping 911 convertible offers huge pace in every gear and sensational performance

Overall Auto Express rating

5.0

How we review cars
Find your Porsche 911
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Sensational - that's the only word for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet's performance. Porsche's new range-topping convertible offers huge pace in every gear and has a top speed of nearly 200mph, yet is easy to drive at low speeds and live with every day. As it costs £8,340 more than the hard-top, only the wealthiest of buyers will be able to enjoy it. But it oozes engineering quality, and adds yet another string to the 911's bow.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Purist sports car fans don't like the 911 Cabriolet. Believing the drop-top to be a compromised version of a motoring legend, some see it as like chopping the head off the Mona Lisa. But Porsche is ready to change their minds with its brand new open-air flagship - the 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

Sharing the same 480bhp powerplant as its fixed roof brother, the new forced induction range-topper tips the scales at only 42kg - or half an adult passenger - more, and is one of the stiffest convertibles in the world.

Climb behind the wheel, drop the hood and you can immediately get as close to the action as possible, with four-wheel drive making the most of the newcomer's 620Nm of torque. In low gears, the Porsche surges forward with real pace, and without a roof, the sensation of speed is even more pronounced.

Chassis engineers have given the convertible all the agility it needs to take on its most capable competitors. Turn into a corner and the nose darts towards the apex, while the German firm's latest traction and stability programmes help to give all four wheels optimum grip. Only over bumpy surfaces do the windscreen pillars start to flex slightly - but it's never intrusive.

Our sole gripe is that the accompanying scream from the turbochargers isn't particularly pleasant. Where an Aston Martin or a Ferrari offers a spine-tingling engine note that is all the better enjoyed from a convertible cabin, from inside the 911 it sounds as though the turbos are tearing at the air to feed the flat-six unit.

However, nothing can detract from the performance. The six-speed manual car covers 0-62mph in four seconds exactly, but on the race track, it's the thrust available after you have dispatched the benchmark sprint that really sets this new Porsche apart.

Pay extra for the optional Sports Chrono Pack, and you get an overboost function controlled by a Sport button to give an even more brutal shove in the back. On top of that, the aerodynamics allow the 192mph top speed to be reached even with the roof down...

At lower speeds, the standard-fit wind deflector almost completely eradicates buffeting, while the electrically folding soft-top can be opened and closed at up to 31mph.

It's all part of the package that makes the 911 convertible so easy to live with every day, something which is enhanced by the manufacturer's claimed 21.9mpg combined economy - although we were unable to match this figure during our drive. Even the ride quality isn't too harsh at cruising speeds if you disengage Sport mode.

As you would expect, the cabin is superbly finished and ergonomically excellent. Just don't think of the newcomer as a four-seater, because only children will be able to squeeze into the back. It's not only the Cabriolet's performance which is jaw-dropping, though - its £106,180 price will stop most people in their tracks as well. That's £8,340 more than the Turbo coupé, although still £24,645 cheaper than Ferrari's F430 Spider.

What's more, this figure can be inflated all too easily. If the excellent standard steel brakes are not good enough, you can pay £5,800 extra for ceramic discs, while the Sports Chrono pack adds £1,015. Naturally aspirated versions of the 911 Cabriolet represent much better value.

So is this the Porsche convertible that can finally convert the purists? Look beyond the price, and few will be able to question its abilities.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Porsche 911

Porsche 911

RRP £81,789Used from £96,995
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,676 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,649
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £8,094 off RRP*Used from £13,199
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

Porsche 911 review
Porsche 911 - main image

Porsche 911 review

In-depth reviews
21 Mar 2025
Porsche Panamera review
Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid - main image

Porsche Panamera review

In-depth reviews
28 Feb 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2
Ford Fiesta facelift - front cornering

Ford Fiesta to return? Icon could be reborn as re-nosed Volkswagen ID.2

VW’s sales and marketing boss considers Ford tech share “very successful” – and won’t rule out future projects
News
30 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025