2012 Porsche 911

7-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
For 2012, Porsche has introduced the world's first 7-speed manual transmission. It has six close-ratio gears for good acceleration and a tall overdrive 7th gear for relaxed and economical cruising. A smart lock-out system prevents 7th gear from being selected unless 5th or 6th have been selected first, making this performance-enhancing transmission nearly as easy to use as a regular 6-speed.

PDK TWIN-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION
Porsche's PDK transmission features two clutches, seven forward gears and gives drivers the choice of manual or automatic gear changes. We already liked the PDK but for 2012 a coasting feature that lets the engine idle when decelerating and an engine shut-off feature that saves gas at stop lights make it even better.

Like its exterior, the interior of the new-generation 2012 Porsche 911 feels familiar, with round gauges, an ignition placed left of the steering wheel, lush materials throughout and, of course, rear seats sized for whisking Frodo to the shire. The all-new Power Sport front seats are quite comfortable and supportive, a larger tilt-and-slide sunroof improves headroom, and the new full-length console is inspired by the Carrera GT supercar. The new-generation 2012 911's front trunk offers a modest 4.7 cubic feet of space but that can be supplemented by an optional roof-rack system and rear seats that now fold down individually to create a parcel shelf.

Some observers might confuse the all-new and the previous-generation 2012 Porsche 911 models, but view the two side-by-side and distinctions emerge. The new car's roof is lower and its body longer than that of the previous model, with a wheelbase that has stretched nearly 4 inches. The new car looks wider and sleeker with headlights that bulge slightly and tail lights that have thinned to stylish strips. Porsche certainly could have pushed the aesthetic boundaries further but overall the designers did their job, delivering a new-generation 911 that looks fresh yet classic.

From a mechanical perspective, the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera pulls off a neat trick, offering greater efficiency and more power, enabling quicker 0-to-60-mpg acceleration times in the mid 4-second range for the Carrera and the low 4's for the Carrera S. Make that 3.1 seconds if your 911 Turbo S has the PDK transmission and sport chrono package and you use its excellent launch control feature. At the same time, reduced curb weights and efficiency-focused tweaks like automatic engine shutoff throughout the lineup make the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S more fuel-efficient than the previous models.

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera
3.4-liter flat-6
350 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm
287 lb-ft of torque @ 5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 19/27 mpg

911 Carrera S
3.8-liter flat-6
400 horsepower @ 7,400 rpm
325 lb-ft of torque @ 5,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg

911 Carrera 4 and Targa
3.6-liter flat-6
345 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
288 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/25 mpg

911 Carrera 4S and Targa S
3.8-liter flat-6
385 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
310 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/24 mpg

911 Carrera GTS
3.8-liter flat-6
408 horsepower @ 7,300 rpm
310 lb-ft of torque @ 4,200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17-18/25-26 mpg

911 Turbo and Turbo S
3.8-liter turbocharged flat-6 turbo
500 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm (Turbo)
530 horsepower @ 6,250 rpm (Turbo S)
516 lb-ft of torque @ 2,100 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg (Turbo), 17/25 mpg (Turbo S)

Prices for the 2012 Porsche 911 start at around $83,000 for the Carrera and around $97,000 for the Carrera S and run all the way up to around $173,000 for a 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. In typical Porsche style, the option list is long and pricy. Load up a Carrera S with all the available goodies and the price can easily top $140,000. For up-to-date pricing on the 2012 Porsche 911 be sure to check out the KBB Fair Purchase Price to see what people in your area are paying. Resale value has been a traditional strong suit for the Porsche 911. We expect the 2012 model to continue that tradition with residual numbers that are similar to or better than those for the Nissan GT-R and Audi R8. Interestingly, the Chevrolet Corvette is expected to hold its value better than the Porsche 911 over the long haul.

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