2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4: First turbos, now all-wheel drive

12 October, 2015

We’re not sure an electro-hydraulically controlled all-wheel drive system is something Porsche purists want to hear is being added to the 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 line-up, but once we saw the proposed engine specs and acceleration times, we were convinced.

Porsche has announced that there will be two engine options when the Carrera 4 hits the tarmac in 2017, and they’re both three-litre flat-sixes, but with the addition of two turbochargers. How does 276kW (370hp) sound? Well, that’s just the base model — the S model produces a stonking 313kW (420hp) at the flywheel. The torque band has widened, thanks to the twin turbochargers, with 449Nm available from 1700rpm, right through to 5000rpm on the base model, and 499Nm available across the same rev range with the S model. It’s safe to say driveability has significantly increased.

To get the power down to the ground you can choose from either a seven-speed manual gearbox — yes seven-speed — or a dual-clutch transmission. Acceleration times are just ludicrous; 3.9 seconds to 60mph for the base model, and 3.6 seconds for the S model — that’s nearing supercar territory.

Your coupe, convertible, or Targa model will come factory with PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension, and you’ll have the choice of adding the Sport Chrono package, which adds all sorts of fancy German wizardry. Four ‘modes’ make the Chrono package extra special; Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, and Individual modes alter the performance and handling of the Porsche — all at the touch of a button. If this wasn’t enough, Porsche has announced the addition of rear-axle steering, as seen in the current 911 Turbo models, and 911 GT3s.

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The question is though, which model would you choose?

Coaching from the bench: Casting plastic knobs and rubber parts

16 July, 2026

Casting rubber items is simple if you have a good original to work with. The item doesn’t have to be perfect. You can use plasticine to smooth out cracks, and you can even make whole prototypes out of low-fire modelling clay available from craft stores if you need to. Prototypes can also be made of wood or metal.
You will need mould dams to contain the liquid urethane moulding solution until it cures. You can build boxes out of strips of wood, but I have found that small plastic boxes and bowls such as those you would use for leftovers in your fridge work well if you spray them with a mould release agent.
Temperature is important to the chemical processes involved, so work in an area that can be maintained at around 20 degrees. You will also need adequate ventilation because the fumes can be dangerous to breathe. And you will want to wear latex gloves to protect your hands.

Fraser Cars – low flying into the fourth decade

10 July, 2026

With almost three and a half decades under its belt, Fraser Cars is one of New Zealand’s longest-surviving car manufacturers. The company first opened its doors for business in 1988, during the boom time for kit manufacturers. During the ’80s, around 40 different companies were building kits and turnkey cars for this niche market. Of those, only Fraser and Almac Cars (established 1981) are still in business today.
Most of the new kit car companies were killed off in the cradle by the threat of new legislation that never eventuated and definitively by the sudden availability of high-performance Japanese cars when the floodgates to second-hand imports were opened. The now long-retired founder of the company, Neil Fraser, first came across Lotus Seven replicas while racing Lotus Cortinas in the early ’80s. He regularly found himself racing against a little Caterham, a Lotus Seven–styled car built in England. He was very impressed by its simplicity and handling. In 1986 Fraser built his own Lotus Seven–type car, using the knowledge he had gained from several close looks at the Caterham.

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4: First turbos, now all-wheel drive

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