Not many sports cars have a 45-year pedigree, so it's no small achievement that Porsche manages to keep improving its 911 while maintaining its noble heritage. The latest revamp sees sleeker, speedier iterations of four models—the Carrera Coupe, the Carrera Cabriolet, and the high-performance "S" versions of those designs. The look is futuristic, with new LED daytime-driving lights and a touch-screen navigation system—good news for anyone who's ever tried to type WEST PALM BEACH with a tiny cursor. Porsche has also managed to boost horsepower and improve gas mileage by 13 percent, and a new optional seven-speed double-clutch gearbox lets you shift through gears faster than Han Solo kicks into hyperdrive. Prices start at $75,600 for the Carrera Coupe and $120,400 for the lethal Carrera S Cabriolet. Ian Daly

TIMELINE OF A LEGEND

The 911 is entering its 10th generation. Here, some milestones from its near half-century of evolution

1964: The 911 hits dealer lots, replacing the 356, which was essentially a modified VW Beetle.

1973: Porsche introduces the first race-car-inspired Carrera edition, with flared fenders and a ducktail rear spoiler.

1976: The Turbo Carrera (otherwise known as the 930) becomes the first turbocharged production car.

1986: Porsche produces the streamlined 959, which tops out at 197 mph. Only 200 are made.

1998: The 911's first clean-sheet re-design, the 996, is unveiled with a brand-new body and engine.

The 2009 Porsche 911 on the road