If you have been scratching your head wondering how Porsche were going to extract sufficient performance from the 3-litre flat-six engines that they have already adopted in the 2016 model year version of the latest 911, fear not because they have retained the 3.8 litre engine from the previous version. Combined with new turbos, the bigger engine will now take the 0-100kph time of the top-of-the-range Turbo S model to under 3 seconds for the first time. Porsche are matching their environmental obligations to a larger degree with the multitude of 3-litre Carrera models but that’s not to say they can’t also drop the CO2 emissions of the Turbo models at the same time as an increase in power.
Launched together, the 991.2 release of the latest 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S models both boast 20 hp more than the previous versions, the Turbo with 540 hp and the Turbo S a massive 580 hp, thanks to new turbochargers with larger compressors. The new Turbo S Coupé therefore sprints to 100 kph in 2.9 seconds – its top speed of 330 kph is twelve kph higher than before. At the same time fuel efficiency has improved.
Both models now feature the steering wheel-mounted performance control with Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual modes, the latter allowing the driver to store custom settings for sports exhaust, suspension and stability functions. PSM can now be backed off even further, or switched off completely, for “back end out” behaviour on track.
Around town, front axle lift is now available to help you avoid damage on the ever-increasing number of “traffic calming” measures and a radar-based lane change assist is available too. The active suspension system PASM now has a wider range between Normal and Sport modes; the S model comes with both dynamic chassis control and ceramic brakes as standard.
Porsche’s built-in sat nav PCM system now has access to the latest traffic information in real time; routes and places can be visualised with 360-degree images and satellite images. Phone connectivity is expanded with wifi, Bluetooth and cable options. Bose speakers are standard with Burmester as an option.
The new cars will be available for order from January 2016 with prices from 175,669 euros (Germany).
- 911 Turbo S & 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
- 911 Turbo S
- 991.2 Turbo interior
Word: Chris Valentine; photos: F. Porsche AG