2017 Porsche 911 Carrera Nose Lift Explained, the Practicality Details

The mid-cycle facelift now makes the car even friendlier, as the Carrera and Carrera S models have received a front-axle lift system. Porsche aficionados know other models placed higher in the 911 hierarchy have their own way of dealing with road caprices.

While the 911 Turbo features a surprisingly high ground clearance and uses active aerodynamics to compensate when you’re looking for speed, the nose lift system was introduced on the 911 GT3.

For the 2017 Carrera and Carrera S, the optional piece of hardware raises the nose of the sportscars by about 40 mm (1.57 inches) at speeds of up to 35 km/h (21.7 mph). The reaction time is also crucial, as we found out during our Tesla Model S review - while the P85 we drove did feature a lift system, the delay in operation easily became frustrating after the first ramp.

Returning to the Zuffenhausen machines, the raising operation is completed within five seconds, so you won’t be left waiting when a speed bump appears in your path.

Here’s the official presentation of the feature: “For unlimited everyday practicality Porsche offers a hydraulic lift system with integrated lifting cylinders in the struts of the front axle. Pressing a button increases the ground clearance at the front by 40 millimetres within 5 seconds and thus prevents the vehicle underbody from hitting the ground, for example on steep garage exits.”

Hardcore 911 fans shouldn’t fret, though, as the rear axle remains the most important one. How else can you describe things when Porsche introduced the GT3- and Turbo-borrowed rear-axle steering system on the pair of Carreras?