After years of looking at prototypes of the new 991-generation Porsche 911 with Turbo-style stickers plastered over its flanks, the real thing has finally broken cover. Read on for the full story on the new Porsche 911 Turbo.
Ah, I see this Porsche 911 has proper air intakes and a properly big wing…
Indeed it does. Those side intakes feed air to the hungry twin-turbocharged engine, and the big bi-plane rear wing will pop up to provide additional stability at high speeds. (Traditionally, the Turbo’s rear wing only tends to rise into place at speeds that are illegal in the UK, giving Plod the perfect telltale sign that you’re above the national limit).
All 991 911s will sport a longer wheelbase, and the extra length is perhaps most obvious on the Turbo, with the intakes and rear wing helping to expose the new car’s true proportions.
And the famous forced-induction engine?
Unbelievably, the latest 911 Turbo received the first entirely new engine in the famed model’s 35-year history, so don’t expect anything new between the back axles. The twin-turbo 3800cc flat six already features direct fuel injection, and together with the GT2’s expansion intake manifold, and diesel-style variable turbine geometry turbos (to up the engine’s outputs but cut its consumption and emissions) the current Turbo is around 17% cleaner and greener than its predecessor.
However, with stop/start tech, aluminium body parts and electro-mechanical steering, the next Turbo should drop down from the 268g/km of today’s PDK-equipped car to below 250g/km CO2.
As for the power outputs, reckon on the new Turbo having the same 523bhp as the current Turbo S (up from 493bhp); once again there should be a Turbo S version too, with nearly 550bhp. As previously reported, the new 911 will come with both a seven-speed PDK ‘box and a seven-speed manual transmission, and it’ll be the former you’ll want to pick to achieve a McLaren matching-3.3 second 0-62mph time.
And presumably all that turbocharged torque needs a four-wheel drive system to keep in check?
Indeed it does, and beneath the wider bodywork of the Turbo hides an updated four-wheel drive set-up, plus revised MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear tuned for both more compliance and more grip. Active engine mounts will also improve cornering and straight-line comfort.
20-inch wheels will be standard, and all manner of acronyms will be available to keep you on the road, including Porsche Traction Management (PTM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV).
Reckon on paying £110k for a 911 Turbo when UK sales start sometime in 2013.
>> Click ‘Add your comment’ below and let us know what you think of the new Porsche 911 Turbo