Porsche released a new 911 Turbo this year, complete with a brand new engine (3.8L direct injection, variable vane turbo) and added dynamic enhancements (dynamic engine mounts, torque vectoring). Wolfgang Durheime of Porsche describes many of the new features below:

I was car shopping yesterday when I stumbled upon a brand new 2009 Carrera 4 S at a Pfaff Oakville. The car was on loan from one of the members of the family of dealerships they belonged to. It was given a flat grey paint, coupled with blacked out wheels – it looked hot!

A show in Japan pitted all four versions of the new Carrera against one another in 1/4 drag tests. These included the base Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S. While the 4S was marginally faster than the S, probably because of increased traction, both the S and 4S got times in the 11s! Video below:

A collection of affordable sports cars vs. the new 911 (non-S) has been brought together in Japan for Best Motoring. Watch the video below to see how closely some of these cars are matched on the track.

The video is at Racing Films. I’m not embedding it since it keeps ignoring my attempts to prevent it from autoplaying.

Tags: 911, BMW, Carrera, cayman, Honda, i35i, lap, Nissan, Porsche, race, s2000, track, Video

Two lengthy reviews from the motoring press seem to really like the new changes in the 2009 Cayman. Along with the well known addition of a dual-clutch gearbox and direct injection engine, additional options like a mechanical rear differential and retuned suspension really have these journalists keen on the Cayman:

Driver’s Republic: The Enemy Within

Winding Road: You Really Need a 911?

In Canada and in the United States, prices for the latest iteration of the Carrera, the 997, have changed much since it’s 2005 introduction. In the USA, Porsche has increased the price of both Carrera and Carrera S models every year.

In Canada, a different story emerges. After a large price hike in 2006, prices fell in 2007 and 2008, lowering the gap between Canadian and American prices. However, even after the change, a 21% price disparity exists all models in the Carrera range.

911 Prices in USA

911 Prices in Canada

Top Gear is probably the most entertaining show on television. A selection of this episode takes the fantastic R8 vs. the hardcore Porsche GT3.