With the advent of the most recent Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S,
virtually every 911, from the bottom up, is now turbocharged.
(Exceptions? The purist GT3 models, and the outgoing GTS.)
Now Porsche is launching the top-of-the line 911. Guess what it's
called? Turbo. If you think that's confusing, we won't contradict you.
So, just like almost all other 911s, the Turbo is turbocharged. In the
case of the new range-topper, however, it is a 3.8-liter flat six that's
being force-fed by two variable-geometry turbochargers. These 'VGTs'
for gasoline engines were available from Dodge and Peugeot in the early
1990s, but today only Porsche continues to develop and use the
technology.
The results are awesome: The Turbo engine makes 540-horsepower in
standard form, or 580-horsepower in the S. From a standstill, the run
from 0 to 60 mph comes up in a ridiculous 2.9 or 2.8 seconds - top speed
is rated at 198mph or 205mph, respectively. You couldn't ask for more.
Purists, however, might ask for less - such as rear-wheel drive instead
of the Turbo's standard all-wheel drive system, or a manual
transmission instead of the Turbo's seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic.
But they would be missing the point of the Turbo. This particular
version of the 911 is about excess, in terms of power, equipment, and
style. Carbon-ceramic brakes are standard, of course, and so is an
anti-roll system. Dynamically, this car will take on virtually any
supercar out there.
A word about style, for a moment. The 911 Turbo and Turbo S
are easily recognizable, with unique front and rear fasciae, angular
quadruple tail-lights, and 20-inch wheels. The interior is improved as
well, with a new infotainment system, a "GT" steering wheel (inspired by
the 918 hybrid), and upgraded instrumentation. Ah, and you can get both
the Turbo and the Turbo S as a convertible as well. But no Targa
version is offered.
Not that you're lacking in choices here. The current 911 lineup consist
of a whopping 21 versions. If you truly want to set yourself apart from
the lesser ones, go for the Turbo. The one with the badge spelling out
T-U-R-B-O.
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