Porsche Shows First Photos of 2006 911 Carrera 4 Coupe

The automaker also included its enhanced Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system, optimized for shorter stopping distances

The all-wheel drive system is more or less carryover from the 996 C4S. (Photo: Porsche Canada)

and greater control in slippery conditions. PSM as fitted to the Carrera 4S features two additional functions to improve braking performance, the first being preemptive braking design that pre-fills the hydraulic pump in order to reduce the air gap between the pads and the disk and therefore shorten stopping distances before full braking power is applied. This process is especially effective if "the driver depresses the brake pedal quickly but not forcefully," says Porsche.

The all-wheel drive system is more or less carryover from the 996 C4S, comprised of a multi-disk viscous coupling that transfers between five and forty percent of output to the front wheels when a reduction of traction occurs.

Porsche will also make the Carrera 4 available with its new Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system for the first time. Standard on the Carrera 4S, PASM lets the driver choose between a comfort-oriented ride and a high-performance track-tuned setup, optimizing the car's ride/handling equation to make the most of road conditions, and more importantly, a driver's mood swings.

When on the track the Carrera's optional Sport Chrono Plus package is a technophile's dream. Capable of counting laps,

The new 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Carrera 4S Coupe will be available across the United States and Canada this fall. (Photo: Porsche Canada)

keeping track of a driver's best time and displaying all laps on a digital graph, the Sport Chrono Plus package also modifies the car's engine management characteristics plus the behavior of PSM and PASM systems.

The new 911 Carrera 4 Coupe and Carrera 4S Coupe will be available across the United States and Canada this fall at a price of $77,100 USD and $112,800 CDN for the Carrera 4 Coupe, and $87,100 USD and $127,500 CDN for the Carrera 4S Coupe.