The new Porsche 911 Turbo is here!

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The much-awaited Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S have been revealed, and they look set to truly offer new levels of performance for the 911 range.

Both Turbo models come with a twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat-six, with the Turbo producing 520hp and the Turbo S giving out 560hp – all of them send power through a seven-speed double-clutch transmission (no manual gearbox is available).  Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 3.2 seconds in the Turbo, and 3.1 seconds in the Turbo S, with both of them reaching a top speed of 318km/h.

Porsche is claiming that the Turbo’s direct-injected engine in now 16 per cent more efficient than it was in the previous 997 model, which in part is attributed to its automatic engine stop/start system – which not only stops and starts the engine when the car stops, but also when the car is coasting. Fuel consumption is a claimed combined average of 9.7l/100km.

Porsche has re-worked the Turbo’s all-wheel drive system (PTM) as well, which is electronically controlled and has multi-plate coupling.  Along with being 28mm wider than the ‘normal’ 911 Carrera 4, the Turbo now comes with rear axle steering, consisting of two electro-mechanical actuators that vary the steering angle of the rear wheels by up to 2.8 degrees, depending on the car’s speed. 

At up to 50km/h, the wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels, which Porsche say is like shortening the wheelbase by 250mm (this allows the car to be more responsive, turning in faster at the bends).  However at speeds above 80km/h, the rear wheels are steered in the same direction as the front wheels, but this time Porsche say it’s the same as stretching the wheelbase by 500mm – giving it a more stable ride at high speed.

Visually, the Turbo models can easily be distinguished from other 911s thanks to the wider body, two-tone forged wheels measuring 20-inches, new LED headlights, and active aerodynamic body parts.  The new active aerodynamics system (PAA) – consisting of a retractable front spoiler with segments that can be pneumatically extended, and a deployable rear wing with three adjustable wing positions – help to create downforce, and can be set to let the car run at its full speed, or make it more planted to the ground when going around corners.

Apart from more horsepower, the Turbo S gets the following additional equipment over the standard Turbo: PDCC active anti-roll system, Sport Chrono Package with dynamic engine mounts, hub wheel locks, and PCCB ceramic brakes.   Another difference between the new and old Turbo, is that the new Turbo’s wheelbase measures 100mm longer.

Porsche is claiming that the Turbo S can lap the Nurburgring race track in less than 7:30 min, which means that its main competitor – in terms of performance – is still the Nissan GT-R.  The Turbo will arrive at dealerships in September, with a German retail price of €162,055 for the Turbo, and €195,256 for the Turbo S.