New Porsche 911 Turbo
Details of Porsche's replacement 911 Turbo have been revealed today (August 7th), the flagship 911 gaining power and poise with a larger capacity engine and a reduction in weight. The 3.6-litre flat-six powerplant from the outgoing car has been replaced by a heavily revised version of the 3.8-litre engine from the Carrera S, which, when combined with Porsche's variable vane turbocharger system gives the range-topping model 493bhp. That's around 20bhp more than the outgoing car, allowing Porsche to claim a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds for the Turbo - when fitted with the optional PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission. Porsche quotes the Turbo's top speed as 194mph.
The PDK transmission debuts on the Turbo following its successful introduction on other models in the 911, Boxster and Cayman ranges. It offers seven ratios, and unlike existing installations drivers will be able to operate it properly via conventional paddle shifters - in place of the clumsy steering wheel spoke switches used previously. Porsche hasn't quite admitted defeat over its wheel switches, as the paddle shifters are offered optionally. Plenty of other extras are also available, including Sport Chrono - bringing Sport/Sport plus driving modes and Launch Control.
Despite increases in power and pace the Turbo's emissions and economy have improved thanks to the inclusion of direct injection - the manually equipped Turbo returning 24.1mpg and the PDK version 24.8mpg - improvements of 2mpg and 4mpg respectively. Emissions drop by an impressive 18 percent over the outgoing Turbo.
Porsche is promising that the Turbo's revised traction and stability systems, as well as the availability of Porsche Torque Vectoring on its four-wheel drive transmission, will make the Turbo even more precise and agile on challenging roads.
Due to be unveiled officially at the Frankfurt Show in September, the Turbo will be in showrooms in November. Prices for the coupé start at £101,823, with the Cabriolet commanding £109,048.
