The 2023 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is one of the best sports cars you can buy in 2023. Offering unlimited headroom when required, it's the perfect all-weather car you never knew you needed. Put the top down during the summer and enjoy that cool breeze as you drive down to the beach while, at the same time, the sun illuminates your skin. And when you've heard enough of that, put the roof back up, which you can do in 12 seconds when driving at speeds up to 30 mph. The Carrera model is the base model 911, but the Carrera 4S and 4S Cabriolet add more to the package, so the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is not your ordinary Carrera. All-wheel-drive is standard, and so is a power increase to almost 450 horsepower. Though a bit slower to 60 mph than the Carrera 4S, mainly because of its extra convertible roof weight, the 2023 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is still as fun to drive, especially when you get one with the 7-speed manual transmission. Prices for the 2023 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet start at around $153,000, making it one of the best decently-priced sports cars you can buy today. Some options, such as the Sport Exhaust and Chrono Package, are worth having and will add extra charges to the final price. But when you blast a tunnel with the top down, you'll not regret getting the Sport Exhaust one bit.
In the 1950s, open-top two-seaters were becoming increasingly common, and almost every major manufacturer had plans to make one. There was the 300 SL Roadster from Mercedes and from Porsche, their first car, the 356 was a Cabriolet made by Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of Porsche AG and designer of the iconic VW Beetle, which the 356 borrowed a great deal from. Porsche carried over the Cabriolet name, giving it to every 911 convertible with a soft top, but some Speedsters with a soft-top convertible were simply known as Speedsters. Speedsters mostly had a lower slanting windscreen for better aerodynamics, differentiating them from other 911 Convertibles. Cabriolets mostly retained the windscreen curvature from other 911 models but with a bulkier rear to accommodate the roof and a strengthened A-pillar. The Cabriolet soft top saw advancements through the years in the 911 Carrera and other 911s, such as the 911 Turbo Cabriolet and 911 SC Cabriolet. From manual operation to the trend-setting electro-hydraulic lifters used in the 1983 911 SC Cabriolet, Porsche ensured maximum operating convenience in every roof operation mechanism they used. The Panel Bow top in the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet was first used in the 2012 911 Carrera Cabriolet and was undoubtedly unparalleled. Porsche says that it helped them achieve a previously unattainable coupe-like roof arch of the fabric top, which also has aerodynamic advantages. Side by side, the 2023 Carrera 4S Cabriolet almost resembles its coupe variant due to its coupe-like roof arch.
Most people buy a convertible mostly to enjoy driving with the top down, enjoying the wind as it blows over the car, but the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet offers more than that. With 450 horsepower at your disposal, driving one on an open road on a sunny day will have you grinning left to right, almost touching your eyes with your cheeks with every gear shift. The driving experience is even better in the Carrera 4S Cabriolet if you get it with the 7-speed manual transmission. Nothing comes close to the feeling of listening to the exhaust notes, eager for the next gear shift. Sports cars are better with open tops, and Ferdinand Porsche knew this when he built the first Porsche, the 356, as a convertible. The sensation of speed while driving a 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S will have you wondering why you didn't get one all those years you've been drooling for a GT3 or a 911 Turbo S just because they have more power. Coming in at 3,641 pounds compared to the Carrera 4S' 3,487 pounds, the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet's weight is almost insignificant. The only thing you lose is 0.2 seconds doing 0-60 and 2 miles off the top speed, which Porsche claims is 188 mph. If it makes you feel better, the 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet has a higher top speed than 184mph in the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Nested within the sleek frame, a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six engine serves as the beating heart of the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The engine delivers 442 horsepower to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission or 7-speed manual transmission, a must-have option for any enthusiastic driver. The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet has 16% more power than lower-spec Carrera models. Porsche's clever all-wheel-drive system with PTM (Porsche Traction Management) puts the extra power to good use, making the car a blast to drive and giving it exceptional handling in any driving situation. 0-60 takes 3.8 seconds, which is impressive for a 3600-pound car. But with the Sport Chrono Package, performance is increased due to sport tuning of the chassis, engine, and transmission. This reduces the time to reach 60 mph in a Carrera 4S Cabriolet to 3.4 seconds. Top speed remains unchanged, but the car gains better acceleration, quicker transmission shifts, shorter quarter mile times, and enhanced handling.
The secret to Porsche 911s being so good at dominating over their rivals is aerodynamics. In the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet, Porsche ensured the convertible top didn't interfere with the aerodynamics and had to implement innovative technology to make the top as aerodynamic as possible. As a result, the roof has a coupe-like curvature when closed, and it's also lightweight due to lighter mechanicals reducing the effect of extra weight on the Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet looks better with the roof down, and there's no two ways about it, but this doesn't mean it looks awful with the roof up. With the roof down, the Carrera 4S shows its smooth flowing body curvature and the bulky rear end disappears, unlike when the roof is up, as it contrasts with the roof line. However, the roof isn't the only design masterpiece in the Carrera 4S Cabriolet. The front fenders are slightly wider than those in the standard Carrera 4S to match the bulkier rear fenders. This gives the car a more muscular and meaner look. At the rear, the 911 Carrera 4S showcases a muscular stance that is not as bulky as expected, with the LED taillights and Squared exhaust tips giving it that sporty finish.
Inside, the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet is a testament to its stunning exterior. Every component is carefully crafted to provide a comfortable in-cabin experience. As standard, you get half-leather seats with leather on the seat surrounds and Sport-Tex in the seat centers. Porsche increased the use of Sport-Tex in the 992 911, and they state that it's a huge improvement from the 991.2. Is Sport-Tex Better than Leather? Sport-Tex provides better grip, preventing the seat occupants from sliding around with the car's motion. Also, in case you don't have heated and cooled seats, Sport-Tex seats remain surprisingly cool during the summer, even in the hottest sun, and they don't get cold during the winter, unlike leather seats. In the 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet, Sport-Tex is also used on the steering wheel to provide better grip. Controls in the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet's interior are ergonomically placed controls, allowing quick access even when driving the car. The multifunction steering wheel has audio, communication, and onboard controls, allowing the driver to always have their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Window and infotainment controls are also within reach for the driver and front seat passenger.
You get a 911 standard equipment 10.9-inch infotainment display mounted at the top of the dashboard with Bluetooth connectivity, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. This allows for seamless phone integration regardless of the device, and when you get low on charge, there's an accessory power outlet on the center console. Sound in the cabin is provided via a Bose Surround Sound system, but Porsche allows you to upgrade to a more premium Burmester High-end Surround Sound System. Despite being an entry-level model, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet gets high-end safety and driver features such as electronic brake distribution, stability control and front impact collision warning, and basic features such as ABS. Also, a tire pressure monitor and Porsche's Follow Me headlights are standard in the Carrera 4 S Cabriolet, unlike in models that sit below. The Carrera 4S Cabriolet has remote locking, an engine immobilizer, an anti-theft device, and an anti-theft alarm, all standard equipment for the car's security. These come in handy when you don't feel like putting the top up on the street or on your home driveway to let the masses enjoy the beauty that the Carrera 4S Cabriolet is.
We'll also add that it provides one of the best driving experiences of any cany within its price point. Fabric roof convertibles don't look good, especially with contrasting paint such as white or Racing Yellow, but Porsche made the top slant like the roof in the Carrera 4S coupe variant, so it's not a big deal. You'll get used to it sooner than you think. How much is a 2023 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet? The Porsche configurator will show a $153,050 price tag before you add options such as the Carrera Classic and Turbo wheels. Adding such options is irresistible since they elevate the Carrera 4S Cabriolet's appearance, making it stand out and special to you. Check out our Porsche 911 listings.
The 2023 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet has a captivating blend of driving freedom, style, and performance that is hard to resist. It's a head turner with the roof down, and with the roof up, it looks like any other ordinary 911. You might get tempted to constantly drive with the roof down, even in unfavorable weather, due to the thrill it offers. We highly recommend buying a 2023 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet with a manual transmission, as that is where the most fun is.
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