Two big changes hit the 911 models for 2009. Most exciting is the all new 7-speed twin clutch transmission dubbed PDK or “Porsche Doppelkupplung” that replaces the old tiptronic auto, and eliminates any sluggishness in the automated shifting department. The 6-speed manual is still offered if you feel the need to push the pedal yourself, but the dual-clutch is able to shift significantly faster thus also being able to hit a 0-60 time about .2 faster, as well as returning slightly better MPG than the manual.
The refreshed model also introduces direct injection. The 3.6l engine now produces 345hp and 287ft-lbs up from the previous 325hp and 273ft-lbs. The 3.8l engine on the S model now makes 379hp and 310ft-lbs versus 355hp and 295ft-lbs. The engine itself is also quite a bit lighter and sturdier than the previous model. A new crankcase and a closed-deck block lighten and cool the engine as well. A limited slip differential is now an option on the base and S models, and pairs very well with the new engine and suspension.
The base model coupe and cabriolets get an entirely new braking system as well. 13×1.3 front discs and 13×1.1 rears in addition to the 2008 Porsche Turbo’s calipers now adorn the new entry level 911. A slight body refresh and standard bi-xenon headlights are a couple more of the many small changes included in the new model. A 40Gb hard drive and voice activated bluetooth nav systems are a couple nice new options. All in all the 911 is once again one of the coolest sports cars on the road and well worth the starting $75,600 tag (if you make $200k a year.)
From every comment I hear on the street to every media channel news report, you would hardly know that we have a new President. In fact, you apparently should not think of him as merely the “President” (or “ruler” or “savior” depending on who you talk to… but rather as the BLACK president. I honestly fail to see the signifigance. People tell me that it’s a sign of the end times for racism. But I’ve always imagined that racism is the use of race to determine a reaction to a person. To me, that means that people only celebrating the fact that he is black is the epitome of racism. Out of 94 people I have spoke with, 50 supported him as president, but only only 4 could specifically point out a stance they agreed with him on, apart from the generic “change” of the countries destination. Coincidentally, all 50 of them specifically mentioned “black” or “African-American.” Out of the 44 that did not support Obama, 43 pointed out at least one and usually several specific policies and announcements they highly disagreed with, and not one of them mentioned “black” or “African-American.”
Now there is the opportunity for Obama to be a fiscally conservative Democrat. Little Bush has increased federal spending in levels not seen since FDR, and actually by a wider margin than the raw deal guru himself. It would seem that by necessity, Obama will be forced to back pedal from his big government program ideals and start curbing spending. Obama is now promising removal of “combat-only” troops in Iraq (20% of forces) within 18 months, a new hard line against Iran has emerged, as well as a promise to vastly increase combat troop presence in Afghanistan. All of this points to a very unlikely decrease in federal spending in regards to military matters, however, the frightening idea is that he would would follow former president Clinton’s path, and cut national defense, while retaining the overseas spending wars currently raging. In addition, it seems unlikely that he will back pedal on the 800 billion in additional foreign aid he promised to third world countries. Obama comes from an apparent mindset that places the struggling economies and dictators of the third world at a higher importance level than most matters of the domestic state.
The standard features list is extensive, the only options being cross drilled rotors, a sunroof delete, and an engine block heater.