Current Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (992.2) – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
The 992.2-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet sits in a sweet spot of the refreshed 911 range: more power and standard performance kit than the base Carrera, less complexity than the hybrid GTS, and all the roof-down drama that has made open-air 911s so beloved for decades. For 992.2, Porsche re-engineered the S’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six with new turbochargers and a repositioned charge-air cooling layout, sharpened the chassis, cleaned up the aero, and modernized the cabin with a fully digital cluster—while keeping the Cabriolet a true 2+2 by default. Below is everything you need to know—specs, story, driving character, model-year context, reviews, options to consider, and buying tips.
Porsche unveiled the 992.2 family in May 2024; the Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet followed on January 8, 2025, landing squarely between the upgraded base Carrera and the new Carrera GTS T-Hybrid. The S adopts 473 hp (353 kW) and 390 lb-ft—a +30 hp gain over the previous S—thanks to new turbos and extensively optimized charge-air cooling (the intercooler is now above the engine, Turbo-style). Porsche also broadened standard equipment and performance hardware versus the base car. U.S. order books opened immediately; first deliveries started spring 2025. U.S. MSRP at launch: $159,600 for the Carrera S Cabriolet (plus destination).
One philosophical change: the S is PDK-only in 992.2 (no manual option), a move Porsche and the press confirmed at launch. If you want three pedals in the 992.2 era, your path runs through the Carrera T, not the S.
Powertrain, Performance & Top-Down Pace
Engine & output. Twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six, 473 hp / 390 lb-ft, 8-speed PDK to the rear wheels.
Hardware changes. Beyond the new turbos, the charge-air cooling is re-packaged (intercooler moved higher), improving thermal stability and response. Porsche also revises the intake and cooling apertures up front to feed the new layout.
Factory numbers. Porsche quotes the Carrera S Coupe at 0–60 mph in as little as 3.1 s (with Sport Chrono) and 191 mph top track speed. The Cabriolet is typically a tenth or two behind due to weight and aero; Porsche positions it with the same powertrain and equipment, so real-world Cab times in the low-to-mid 3s are expected when equipped similarly. (Porsche’s S launch release gives the headline figures for the coupe and pricing for the Cab.)
On paper vs real life. If recent 992.2 tests are a guide, Porsche’s numbers are conservative. Independent testing of 992.2 Carreras has repeatedly underscored how much headroom there is in the platform, and the S adds both power and stronger standard brakes. Car and Driver’s ongoing 992.2 coverage emphasizes the S’s PDK-only spec and the uptick in hardware versus the base car. Chassis, Brakes & Dynamics
Porsche didn’t stop at power:
- Brakes: The S inherits larger stoppers derived from the outgoing GTS (408 mm front / 380 mm rear), a meaningful upgrade for repeated high-speed work. PCCB remains optional.
- Damping & steering: Updated damper hydraulics improve ride polish while preserving the 911’s body control. Rear-axle steering is optional on the S and tightens low-speed agility while aiding high-speed stability.
- PTV+ & wheels: Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and staggered 20/21-inch wheels are standard on the S. You can also option Exclusive Design wheels with carbon aero blades to trim drag.
- Aerokit: Available with a deeper splitter and fixed rear wing if you want more high-speed stability and a bolder stance. The facelift also consolidates all light functions into the Matrix-design LED headlamps, which frees larger front intakes for cooling.
How it feels. Reviewers covering the 992.2 range note crisper turn-in vs. early 992.1s and a chassis that’s even more composed over broken surfaces—traits that translate cleanly to the Cabriolet. Top Gear calls the 2025 facelift “speedier, grippier,” while reminding coupe buyers to tick the rear-seat option; the Cab, by contrast, keeps four seats standard.
Roof, Body & Acoustic Character
The electric soft top remains quick to raise/lower and well-insulated at speed; with the 992’s rigid platform, the Cab feels cohesive, not floppy. The 992.2’s tidier front fascia (no separate fog lamps) and thicker rear light bar freshen the look without altering the 911’s timeless proportions. Out back, the revised decklid grille visually blends with the rear glass and packages the higher-mounted intercooler beneath. The Sport Exhaust is standard on the S in the U.S., giving the Cab the soundtrack it deserves when the roof is down.
Interior & Tech (Yes, It’s Fully Digital Now)
The biggest philosophical shift in 992.2 is the 12.6-inch fully digital instrument cluster, joined by the familiar 10.9-inch PCM. There’s now a start button (still on the left), deeper Apple CarPlay integration (you can surface CarPlay data in the cluster), and improved device storage/charging. Critically for Cabriolet buyers, rear seats are standard and cannot be deleted (the coupe defaults to two seats; the 2+2 is a no-cost option there).
Porsche also upped the perceived quality: more leather is standard on the S (upper dash, door tops, headrests), with Full Leather and Exclusive Manufaktur interiors available if you want deep customization.
Model-Year Updates & Range Context
2025 (launch year for the S Cab):
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New Carrera S Coupe & Cabriolet arrive with 473 hp, PDK-only, stronger standard brakes, standard Sport Exhaust, updated damping, and the digitized cockpit. U.S. MSRP $159,600 for the Cab at launch (plus destination). Deliveries began spring 2025.
2026:
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Porsche expands AWD back into the non-hybrid line with the Carrera 4S (Coupe, Cabriolet) and Targa 4S, all at 473 hp and PDK-only. With the base Carrera 4 discontinued, these become the entry AWD 911s going forward. Preliminary pricing/later confirmation places the 4S Cab around $167–170K before delivery, with U.S. deliveries slated for Q4 2025 into 2026 depending on market.
This context matters: if you want roof-down + AWD, you’ll be looking at a 4S Cabriolet from 2026 onward; if you prefer RWD purity, the S Cabriolet remains the lighter, simpler choice.
Reviews & Reception
Porsche Newsroom (launch): framed the S as “the most dynamic 911 Carrera S ever,” underscoring the +30 hp bump, stronger brakes, and extended standard kit. Porsche’s own data pegs the S coupe at 3.1 s to 60 with Sport Chrono; the Cab inherits the same hardware and character with a marginal numerical penalty.
Car and Driver (range coverage/news): highlights the PDK-only change for the S and the upgraded charge-air/turbo hardware; their 911 overview positions the S as the serious step up from base without hybridization.
Top Gear (2025 range verdict): calls the 992.2 “as comfortable and usable as a super-saloon” yet more satisfying, with the caveat that some old-school mechanical feel is traded for refinement and digitization. It also reminds buyers that rear seats are now an option on coupes—but are standard on Cabriolets.
Collectively, the press paints the S Cabriolet as the ideal all-rounder for drivers who want real pace, a richer standard spec, and open-air theatre—without the hybrid GTS’s extra weight/complexity.
Options & Packages That Matter (S Cabriolet)
- Sport Chrono Package. Unlocks Porsche’s quickest official acceleration, adds the steering-wheel mode dial and dynamic powertrain mounts, and integrates the Track Precision app. A must for number-chasers and HPDE regulars.
- PCCB (ceramics). Worth it for heavy track users (or if you want the gold calipers). Otherwise, the standard S brakes are stout.
- Rear-Axle Steering. Broadens agility/stability window; particularly nice on mountain roads and Autobahn-ish cruising. Comes with a quicker steering ratio and revised front kinematics.
- Aerokit. Deeper splitter + fixed wing reduce lift and visually differentiate the Cab. If you cruise at high speeds (or just love the look), it’s a strong add.
- Wheels & tires. The standard 20/21-inch S wheels look right and work brilliantly. If you live where roads are poor, consider tire choices with a little more sidewall compliance. Exclusive Design aero-blade wheels add efficiency and a techy aesthetic.
- Interior. The S already adds leather; step to Full Leather or Exclusive Manufaktur for deep colorways/two-tone schemes that suit an open-air 911.
Buying Advice
- Be honest about use. If you’ll do spirited back-roads and the occasional track day, the S Cabriolet delivers compelling pace and stronger brakes out of the box. If you mainly grand-tour, put budget into seating, sound, and driver assistance rather than ceramics.
- RWD vs AWD. The S Cab (RWD) is here now and is lighter/simpler. If you need AWD in a roof-down 992.2, the Carrera 4S Cabriolet joins for MY2026—same power, more traction, a bit more weight/price.
- Manual cravings. In 992.2, the S is PDK-only. If three pedals are non-negotiable, shop a Carrera T (or an earlier-gen S).
- Digital vs analog. Try the 12.6-inch cluster in person. Most owners appreciate the functionality (classic five-dial “skin” is available), but if you’re deeply attached to an analog tach, know what you’re getting. Top Gear notes the digitization slightly erodes the old mechanical vibe—but usability leaps ahead.
- Spec for quiet. The 992 Cab is already impressively hushed; pairing standard Sport Exhaust with the roof down is glorious. With the roof up, choose tires and wheel options that fit your ride-quality tolerance.
Quick Specs (2025 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, 992.2)
- Engine: 3.0-L twin-turbo flat-six
- Output: 473 hp / 390 lb-ft
- Driveline: RWD, 8-speed PDK only
- 0–60 mph: S Coupe as quick as 3.3 s (Sport Chrono); Cab typically a tick or two behind in practice
- Top track speed: Coupe 191 mph; Cab near-identical in most markets with slight aero penalty
- Standard performance kit: Sport Exhaust, PTV+, 20/21-inch wheels, larger S brakes, updated damper hydraulics
- Interior: Fully digital 12.6-inch cluster, expanded standard leather; rear seats standard on Cabriolet (no delete)
- U.S. MSRP (launch): $159,600 + destination (January 2025 announcement)
Where It Fits—and Final Verdict
Think of the Carrera S Cabriolet as the driver’s open-air 911: it pairs the base car’s clarity with meaningfully more shove, stronger standard hardware, and a spec sheet that makes sense for real roads. If you want maximum acceleration theater and new-tech intrigue, the GTS T-Hybrid sits above it; if you need roof-down AWD, the 4S Cabriolet arrives with MY2026. But if what you want is RWD purity, top-down occasions, and serious pace—without crossing into hybrid or Turbo territory—the 992.2 Carrera S Cab is the modern sweet spot.
It’s quick, cohesive, richly finished, and deeply usable. And with Porsche’s refinements to ride, steering, and cooling, it feels less like a compromise convertible and more like a 911 that just happens to let the sky in—which is exactly the point.
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Press Release
January 8, 2025
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet announced
New 911 Carrera S enjoys significant upgrades in performance and standard equipment
- Significant increase in power compared to predecessor
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer engine producing 473 hp , eight-speed PDK
- Significantly extended list of standard equipment
- Wide range of options to improve driving dynamics and comfort
Porsche is adding the new Carrera S to the 911 model lineup for the 2025 model year. With its 473 hp (353 kW), 3.0-liter, twin-turbo boxer engine and enhanced standard equipment, the model slots in between the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera GTS. With enhanced performance and driving dynamics, it noticeably surpasses the preceding Carrera S model. A power upgrade and additional equipment options offer significant added value compared to the 911 Carrera.
Atlanta. Porsche is launching the 911 Carrera S for the 2025 model year. It closes the gap between the 911 Carrera and the even more performance-oriented 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid within the Carrera model line. Its powertrain has been significantly upgraded and now achieves performance levels that were previously reserved for the 911 Carrera GTS of the previous generation. In addition, an extended list of standard equipment and significantly increased customization options compared to the 911 Carrera make it an attractive new member of the Carrera model line. The sports car is available in Coupé and Cabriolet versions.
The iconic 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer six-cylinder engine has been fundamentally upgraded for use in the new 911 Carrera S. The result is a significant increase in power with a simultaneous reduction in emissions. Its output of 473 hp, with 390 lb.-ft. of torque represents an increase of 30 hp compared to its predecessor. To achieve this increased performance and efficiency, Porsche fitted new turbochargers and has extensively optimized the charge-air cooling, among other changes. The Carrera S Coupe accelerates from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than the predecessor – when equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, and reaches a top track speed of 191 mph. An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) sends power to the rear wheels.
Extensive list of standard equipment, exclusive options
Porsche has significantly upgraded the standard equipment for the Carrera S. From a performance perspective, the improvements include Sport Exhaust with tailpipes in Silver, brakes taken from the previous generation 911 Carrera GTS models measuring 408 mm on the front axle and 380 mm on the rear axle and the aforementioned increase in horsepower. Updated dampers with optimized hydraulics are more responsive and improve ride refinement over the preceding model. Performance-focused standard features of the prior model remain intact including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and staggered 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are available as an option, as is PASM Sport Suspension, which lowers ride height by 10 mm. Optionally available rear axle steering offers increased agility at low speeds and greater stability at high speeds. If equipped, this system also includes a quicker steering ratio and revised front axle kinematics.
Enhanced interior
The 2025 Carrera S models come with a significantly upgraded interior as standard. Compared to the preceding Carrera S models, the interior comes with an increased amount of leather upholstery as standard including the seats, headrests, upper dashboard, upper door panels, and – if equipped – the rear seats. As with the other 911 Carrera Coupe models of the current generation, a two-seat interior is standard equipment and rear seats may be specified with no additional cost. Cabriolet models come with rear seats as standard, and do not offer a rear seat deletion option.
A full leather interior is optionally available. In this case, leather covers a much wider range of surfaces inside the car including the lower dashboard, glove box lid, the rear side panels and the rear tunnel. For even further customization, an Exclusive Manufaktur Leather Interior can be chosen with up to 48 possible two-tone combinations. The Carrera S benefits from the upgraded standard equipment found in the entire model series. This includes elements such as Matrix Design LED headlights, a cooled wireless smartphone charger, and a drive mode knob on the heated steering wheel. Options include a front axle lift system, the innovative HD-Matrix Design LED headlights and the Sport Chrono package including the Porsche Track Precision app, which is ideal for track days.
The new 911 Carrera S is now available to order as a Coupe or Cabriolet with rear-wheel drive and an MSRP of $146,400 and $159,600 respectively and excluding a $1,995 delivery, processing and handling fee. Delivery to U.S. Porsche Centers is expected to begin in Spring, 2025.
