Perfect, But Itll Have to Do

What a sound! I dont know what Porsche has done with the new C4S Cabs exhaust system, but the note is positively intoxicating. Theres a slight lope to the gurgle at idle, and a little coughing and hiccupping like an NHRA dragster after blipping the throttle. Did they add a more radical cam to the mix, or mess with the ECU? Whatever, its the stuff of dreams.

Oh wait a minute? Whats this switch on the left side of the center stack? A tailpipe pictograph? Hey, this is cool. The touch of a button and the exhaust note goes from ferocious to subdued - Harley should consider this technology. According to Jody Scott, Product Publicity Specialist for Porsche Cars North America, the button deactivates an option dubbed Sport Exhaust. "Its basically a tuned exhaust note

The Sport Exhaust note of the Porsche C4S Cabriolet alone is intoxicating. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

It feels a little quicker off the line too, but according to Scott this has nothing to do with the Sport Exhaust system, stating, "Its solely a sound option." The added oomph may have more to do with an adjustment made to the ECU, or possibly just the psychological effect of the growling exhaust mixed with a justification that anything costing $2,400 should do something

The C4S Cab is altogether new, with the convertible top only previously available with the regular Carrera 2 and C4. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Good news is the 2004 C4S shows a major improvement over the previous 2002 model I drove, a testament to the German sports car manufacturers focus on incremental improvement. The C4S Cab is altogether new however, with the convertible top only previously available with the regular Carrera 2 and C4. What a nice combination from a visual perspective.

This is a car that easy draws attention and envious stares, its a visual and auditory feast for the senses. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

Thats when you blip the throttle and give passersby something really special to gawk at, a visual and auditory feast for the senses. Just when the sidewalk masses are fully attentive, a quick blast up the road to legal speeds will have them talking all the way through lunch hour and into the afternoon. Its not a point of showing off to get attention, not that this would be difficult with the top lowered, but more so a responsibility to give the car enthusiasts in the crowd a little something to get their collective

If youre shopping for a C4S Cab, splurge on the optional leather package that replaces the plastic interior surfaces, the difference is night and day. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

OK, maybe thats a little too much justification for laying into the throttle more times than I should have during my test week. But its just so much fun. This particular example of Porsches engineering expressionism featured a carbon fiber gear shift knob and e-brake lever, definitely worth the somewhat hefty surcharge. Aluminum is also available for the same price, or a variety of wood veneers - depending on personal taste. Another personal favorite is the center console and steering wheel in carbon, but at the mid-four-figure price I can see

I dont know how Porsche manages to make 320 horsepower feel so incredibly quick. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, American Auto Press)

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