The present-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S is on its approach out. Earlier this yr, the arrival of a new GTS kicked off the 992.2 refresh, introducing the primary hybrid powertrain within the mannequin’s over 60-year historical past. An electrical turbocharger, an electrical motor sandwiched between its engine and transmission, and a small battery pack shift the GTS components, concurrently offering us a glimpse at 911s to return.
Given the efficiency advantages of hybrid energy, 59-horsepower greater than its predecessor within the GTS’s case, there’s a powerful chance that a few of this tech will work its approach into what has all the time been one of the vital potent 911s. There are extra rumors, too, with some speculating that Porsche will supply a rear-drive variant geared up with a handbook transmission, which, given simply how jazzed the carmaker has been about handbook transmissions, wouldn’t be shocking. Take the manual-only Carrera T and its many shift sample stickers for instance.
Nonetheless, earlier than a wave of latest tech and what could be an honest shakeup of the mannequin sweeps away the present Porsche 911 Turbo S, I’m taking a last take a look at what, over time, has turn out to be the 911 that actually does all of it.
Versatility has all the time been a primary ingredient of the 911 components. Ample cargo and inside house, a compliant trip for lengthy drives, and mechanical sturdiness make sure you all the time get there are integral to it. And whilst you’ll nonetheless discover these core tenets within the present Turbo S, its efficiency stats counsel it’s not content material with chasing sports activities vehicles. Like its predecessors, this 911 needs to compete with the prancing horses and raging bulls of the world.
At its core sits a 3.8-liter flat-six with two turbochargers strapped, growing 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. For these maintaining rating, that’s 9 horses and a whopping 147 lb-ft greater than the just lately departed Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica. It’s additionally 60 hp and 37 lb-ft over the 991.2 technology it replaces. Like each iteration for the reason that 993 Turbo, it sends energy to all 4 wheels, on this case, by way of a model-specific eight-speed PDK. It sprints to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, blitzes by way of the quarter-mile in 10.5, and tops out at 205 mph.
But as spectacular as its stats are on paper, what units the Porsche 911 Turbo S aside is simply how effectively it deploys that efficiency on a winding again street. Clicking out of Regular mode, by way of Sport, and into Sport+ sharpens its throttle response and opens the flaps of its non-compulsory Sport Exhaust. On the identical time, an out there PASM Sport suspension squats its trip top by 0.4 inches in comparison with the usual system.
Its persona shifts, however not its approachability. Leaning on the throttle at first isn’t as intimidating as you would possibly count on. At low revs, its flax-six stays fairly docile. Nonetheless, work your approach into the center of the tach as enhance stress builds and its acceleration shifts from progressive to explosive. This isn’t turbo lag within the conventional sense, because it’s merely transitioning from very quick to overwhelmingly quick. But a tug of the precise paddle ends in a near-instant upshift, which, due to closely-spaced gears, drops you proper in that enhance candy spot.
Whilst you construct braveness and lean extra on the precise pedal, there’s by no means a way that the Porsche 911 Turbo S is trying to chew again. It encourages you to begin feeding energy earlier every time you rocket out of a bend. A brand new switch case makes this doable, as it may now route as much as 368 lb-ft to the entrance wheels. Coupled with the traction advantages of a observe that grows by 1.7 inches up entrance and 0.4 within the rear, together with wider 255/35 and 315/30 tires, the Turbo S will fortunately claw its approach out of corners with out drama. Because of this, you possibly can hustle it up your favourite winding street utilizing a point-and-squirt strategy. Wherever you purpose its nostril, it’s going to comply with.
Regardless of its limits being virtually untouchable exterior of a observe, you continue to get loads of suggestions from its steering and chassis in any respect speeds. Whereas turning the wheel ends in a fast response from the entrance, it doesn’t dart round like one thing with a GT in it’s identify would possibly, nor does it punish you with a very agency trip to ship such wonderful dealing with. It’s planted and composed however by no means harsh. And whereas its carbon ceramic brakes shine with their vibrant yellow calipers, their efficiency is constant on a twisty street and the every day commute.
This brings me to the opposite half of this automobile’s persona, which makes it a very distinctive machine. Recall the flexibility side I discussed earlier as a result of that’s this automobile’s secret weapon. Whereas the Porsche 911 Turbo S is genuinely supercar fast, it may simply slip into the grand tourer or every day driver function. Dial the drive mode selector again all the way down to Regular, and its suspension softens significantly. Its deployable entrance splitter folds away, considerably enhancing its floor clearance, whereas its rear wing lowers into its low-drag place.
Its eight-speed PDK strikes by way of gears imperceptibly, whereas its valved exhaust permits solely a hum to permeate the cabin. Skip the non-compulsory carbon-fiber buckets and follow the usual 18-way adjustable set of Sport seats, and the Turbo S makes for a great automobile for a trek throughout the nation, even when it isn’t a Cannonball run.
A GT Sport steering wheel comes commonplace, but regardless of being harking back to what you’d discover in a GT3, it doesn’t detract from what it in any other case a sublime and spacious cabin. This tester’s Truffle Brown inside with Chalk contrasting stitching is attractive, properly complementing the Aventurine Inexperienced exterior shade. Its rear seats are as tiny as ever, becoming young children at finest, or extra precisely, any leftover baggage that may’t be stashed within the nostril.
This go-anywhere spirit aligns with this automobile’s styling as a result of, regardless of its deployable rear wing, huge arches, and low stance, the Porsche 911 Turbo S blends in. Given that each one new 911s profit from broadened bodywork, the Turbo isn’t as distinct because it as soon as was. Whereas this could permit it to function a every day driver as half of a bigger assortment, it’s shortly shifting into if-you-know-you-know territory, which, given this automobile’s $232,050 beginning value, may not all the time be factor. As-tested, this specific instance is available in at $249,740.
With doubtlessly vital adjustments on the horizon, the 992.1-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S bows out as arguably the perfect iteration but. Whereas potential electrification may additional enhance its efficiency and supercar urge for food, this outgoing mannequin represents the 911 Turbo components at its finest.
From its formidable efficiency on a again street to its consolation and every day usability and its elegant, spacious cabin, it’s as versatile as a sports activities automobile might be. And whereas its appears to be like might not be as flashy as you’d count on from a automobile beginning at near a quarter-million, its capacity to mix in invitations you to rack up the miles. Though it’s on its approach out, the Turbo S stays the 911 that actually does all of it.
