Porsche unleashes new 911 turbo S Faster even than a Taycan Turbo S
More powerful than ever? Certainly. More powerful than you can possibly imagine? Just possibly. The wraps are off the latest 911 Turbo S. The new Type-992 based model is the biggest step forward ever for Porsche’s flagship turbocharged 911. It packs a 650hp wallop and therefore develops fully 70 metric horsepower more than its Type-991.2 predecessor.
Given the previous Turbo S 991.2 could obliterate the sprint to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds on its way to a 205mph top speed, the prospect of a new model with the largest ever on-paper power gains is hard to compute. With so little time to play with on the way to 62mph, it’s perhaps no surprise that the new model shaves off just two tenths, hitting the landmark speed in 2.7 seconds.
However, the sprint to 125mph or 200km/h is arguably a better measure of such a hugely powerful machine. Here Porsche has chopped a full second off. The new 911 Turbo S is good for 8.9 seconds. It’s also worth noting these figures return the 911 to the very top of the time sheets for a current production Porsche. The new 911 Turbo S is faster to both 62mph and 125mph than the Taycan Turbo S, which registers 2.8 seconds and 9.8 seconds, respectively.
For the record, torque is quoted at 590lb ft and the top speed remains unchanged at 205mph, the latter probably reflecting the real-world adequacy of anything over 200mph and the fact that issues around tyres and safety become increasingly problematic beyond the double tonne. All of those figures, incidentally, are available all of the time. The Turbo S no longer has an overboost function.
In any case, despite the familiar 3.8-litre capacity of the new model, all that power, torque and performance is generated by what Porsche characterises as a completely new engine. Derived from the 3.0-litre motor in the standard 911 Carrera, Porsche is particularly proud of the motor’s chargeair cooling system and new intake routing, which now uses the inlets in the rear wings in addition to the traditional path through the rear engine cover. New larger variable geometry turbos and piezo fuel injectors are also in the mix.
As ever, the Turbo S delivers power to all four wheels, with the capability to send up to two thirds of torque to the front axle. But this time it’s through a new eight-speed PDK gearbox which itself has been revised over its application in the Carrera models to cope with the Turbo S’s huge torque output.
Of course, the 911 Turbo S isn’t just about numbers, it’s also about widebody style. The new model measures fully 1900mm across its flared rear arches, 20mm more than before, while the front and rear tracks are also increased by 42mm and 10mm respectively. As for aero, adaptive features now include controlled cooling air flaps in the nose, a front spoiler and a larger rear wing. Combined, the new features deliver 15 per cent more downforce than the prior model.
Other technical highlights include standard PCCB ceramic brakes, now with larger discs and 10-piston calipers up front, enhanced PASM suspension with an optional 10mm drop, and LED matrix headlights. Inside, meanwhile, the 18-way adjustable sports seats feature stitching that pays homage to the original Type-930 911 Turbo.
The standard equipment list includes a full leather interior and carbon trim in combination with Light Silver accents. The GT sports steering wheel, Sport Chrono package with newly integrated Porsche Track Precision app and Bose Surround Sound system are also standard.
Of course, as with many Porsche models, this is just the start for the 911 Turbo. Not only will a standard non-S model be offered, Porsche’s sports car boss Frank Walliser has indicated that a lighter, more focused and driver-centric variant with features such as reduced sound deadening, will follow, too. But for now, the new Turbo S is immediately available in both coupé and cabriolet bodies, priced at £155,970 and £165,127.
More, more, more of everything is the mantra of the new 911 Turbo. More power at 650bhp and more performance, with a 0–60mph time of 2.7 secs, 205mph and massive in-gear and mid-range potential.
