2:08 am, August 28, 2010
Remember how we were incomprehensibly blown away by the Porsche 911 Turbo?
500bhp of awe-inspiring performance, handling to similarly astound and an overall desirability that plain hurt? Well, Porsche has only gone and done it again…
How? By giving the 911 Turbo even MORE power! Making it EVEN faster and EVEN more expensive. This means it will be EVEN better and EVEN more inaccessible for us. And, having driven the 911 Turbo S, that leaves us in plain agony.
The stats are stark. 530bhp. 50 per cent more turbo boost than standard, torque up to 700Nm. It means the mighty Turbo S, which comes fitted as standard with the PDK semi-auto gearbox, launch-controls its way to 60mph in 3.3 seconds.
We seem to remember repeating the standard Turbo’s acceleration stats in awe. This, though, is something else again. It’s probably the closest we’ve yet got to finding out just what it must have been like to drive a McLaren F1.
It is no wonder Porsche expects 75 per cent of 911 Turbo sales to soon be the Turbo S model. As the marque’s dealers already know, most Porsche buyers fit a load of options that come on the Turbo S as standard to their new cars. Such as, well, the PDK gearbox, Porsche Torque Vectoring system, Sports Chrono lap-timer, adaptive sports seats, flashy leather and so forth.
Conveniently, all are fitted as standard here, taking the list price up to £123,263. This is a fair chunk more than a standard Turbo, but as nobody ever buys a mere ‘standard’ one, it’s much closer to the actual transaction price for many. Which means, as Porsche points out, the power and performance boost is effectively for free! How’s that for a showroom sales proposition…
Particularly when the results are so dazzling on the road. This car feels incredibly fast, as you’d expect. This performance is deployed with more rawness as well. At low revs, you are aware of some turbo lag, but that’s partly due to the intensity of the power once there. It comes with not just a rush, but a dragon-like roar. It ‘feels’ more heavily turbocharged; more like an older, classic 911 Turbo.
Choose high revs and there’s much less delay, just a staggering ability to leap forward and very, very quickly close on its 195mph top speed. Deploying it is fearless thanks to the four-wheel-drive. For some, it will be too easy – they’ll yearn for a GT3’s involvement, but there’s no doubting it’s impressive.
The PDK gearbox helps, too. Porsche says nine in 10 Turbo buyers choose it anyway, so it’s an obvious standard fit. Porsche even fits steering wheel paddles, for the first time in its history.
Suspension is the same as the regular Turbo. All Porsche has done is fit lightweight RS Spyder-style wheels, plus ceramic discs. These cut weight, so help the suspension work more effectively. It’s extremely composed and stable, the ride is sportingly decent and the steering feel is, of course, superb (if not GT3-intense).
Already a must-have, the clever torque vectoring system is standard here as well – it is this that makes the Turbo S so agile and so able to use its massive power. Quelling understeer, the system enables you to turn in and feel the front end bite; even better, power on hard through bends and the car really digs in and grips. Good job the bolstered sports seats are standard, then.
Indeed, in some ways, it might be too ‘easy’ for dealers to remember. Visually, changes are restricted to the wheels, the badge on the back, and the ‘Turbo S’ script dotted here and there on the inside, too. Those who think their £123k will buy something totally bespoke-looking will be disappointed. This is a tuned-up model for driving enthusiasts first. People such as us. Which means it’s amazing that it’s here – but, at the same time, made writing this all the more painful!
