Porsche 911/996 C2 Cabriolet : 2002

325 horespower. The ultimate fun car.
While the Carrera maintained its unmistakeable 911 profile for 2002, the car was radically changed. New fron fenders, a different front bumper, revised rear-end styling, body-color bumper guards and oval tailpies were added along with Turbo-style headlights to differentiate the 911 from the Boxster. The bodywork changes were more than cosmetic, however, yielding a 15% flow increase through the radiators and reducing lift by 25% up front and 40% in the rear.

Stiffer door sill, seat pan and roof areas resulted in a stronger body structure that improves handling, ride quality and safety. The cabriolet is 10% stiffer. The Cabriolet's rear window was changed from a soft plastic window to to a fixed glass rear window with a heated element. Engine displacement was increased for 2002 by increasing the stroke from 78mm to 82.8mm, resulting in a displacement of 3596cc. Horsepower moved from 300 to 320. Overall performance was enhanced by VarioCam Plus, this time in continously variable form. Because of the increased power, the optional Tiptronic transmission was upgraded to the 911 Turbo unit with the five forward gears, two reverse gears, and 250 different shift maps.

Because weight increased, Porsche used longer springs with the same spring rates and matching shock absorbers for the front and rear. The rear suspension was also modified to accomodatethe larger Tiptronic transmission. New, 18-inch, narrow-spoke wheels were avaiable for 2002. The standard wheels were 17-inch, ten spoke alloys. Inside, the new Carrera got useful cup holders and a glove box (US only).

The central air vent was increased in size by 20% while the multi-function display in the bottom of the tachometer was enlarged. The digital speedometer was from the bottom of the tach to the left, into the bottom of the analog speedometer. New seatbelts were added with pyrotechnic tensioning, which is triggered with the air bags. The belts have a force limiter to prevent brusing and internal injuries.