Just when you thought the Porsche 911 couldn’t get better, Porsche unveil the new Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S, scheduled to make their world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, USA, in January 2016.
Available in both Coupe and Convertible versions, the twin-turbocharged, 3.8-litre flat-six engine in the 911 Turbo now has an increased power output of 540 hp (397 kW) thanks to modified inlet ports in the cylinder head, new injection nozzles and higher fuel pressure. The 911 Turbo S now develops 580 hp (427 kW) courtesy of new turbochargers with larger compressors.
The engines now feature a ‘dynamic boost function’ to further raise engine responsiveness by maintaining the charge pressure during load changes achieved by just interrupting the fuel injection, whereas the throttle valve remains open. This causes the engine to react with nearly no delay to a subsequent press of the accelerator pedal with the effects of this function more pronounced in the Sport and Sport Plus modes than in the normal model. The 911 Turbo S Coupé sprints to 62 mph in 2.9 seconds with a new top speed of 205 mph whilst the 911 Turbo reaches the 62 mph mark in 3.0 seconds, and its top speed is 198 mph.
Alongside the engine developments, the new 911 Turbo and Turbo S feature the new GT sport steering wheel as a standard including the ‘Mode Switch’ and the new feature of the Sport Chrono Package; the Sport Response button inspired by motorsport and at the push of a button it pre-conditions the engine and transmission for optimum responsiveness, producing instantaneous acceleration for up to 20 seconds.
The 911 Turbo chassis now features Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) whilst the 911 Turbo S offers a full complement of equipment for dynamic driving: Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll compensation is standard as is the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) system. New options also include the radar-based lane change assist and a lift system for the front axle that can be used to increase ground clearance by 40 mm at the front spoiler lip at low speeds.
Significant characteristics of the latest Carrera models have been adopted with typical 911 Turbo special features including a newly formed nose, narrow LED front lights, 20-inch diameter wheels, smoother formed door handles, additional rear body styling and hree-dimensional style rear lights with four-point brake lights and ‘aura-style’ illumination, familiar from the 911 Carrera series. Phew, just a few changes then. Oh, and redesigns of the exhaust system and rear engine lid grills have also been included.
As with all 911 models, Porsche Communication Management (PCM) is included with a multi-touch monitor, new connectivity functions and improved navigation with 360-degree images and satellite images. Integration of mobile devices has been simplified and in addition, as in the previous Turbo models, the upgraded Bose audio system is fitted as standard; although a Burmester installation can be delivered as an option.
The Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S are now on sale with deliveries due in the UK and Ireland due at the end of January 2016. The 911 Turbo begins at £126,925 with the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet at the top of the range and comes in at £154,614.
Customers will also be invited to explore the potential of their new car, and further develop their own skills behind the wheel, by participating in a bespoke driving experience around the tracks at the recently-extended Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone.
