SB7 MOTORS
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What is it?
The newest, most powerful, most technical and lightly psychotic version of the legendary Porsche 911 Turbo. Now midway through the 992’s lifespan,
it’s been significantly updated.
This time there’s only one model, the Turbo S, and there’s a fair bit more stuffed into this car than just the usual twin-turbos and gobs of boost. As ever there’s all-wheel drive, a flat-six in the back and all the daily usability you could ever wish for. But it’s also got secrets. Dark secrets.
It doesn’t look that out-there though?
Don’t be fooled. This is not your GT-series car with a massive wing, with which you tend to look like a bit of a prat when popping to Asda for teacakes and milk. Instead, it’s relatively subtle, conservative and unlikely to be remarked upon when passed in the street.
But it’s also a bit like a serial killer that everyone describes as ‘quiet’ just after some sort of bloody rampage: it might look normal, but it’s capable of murdering a backroad with very little conscience.
Powerful, then?
Very. The most powerful series production 911 there’s ever been, the first to crack 700bhp (albeit by precisely 1bhp) and undeniably one of the most efficient ways of dismantling a road. There, that doesn’t glorify speed too much, does it? It’s done this despite using a smaller engine, a 3.6-litre flat six, rather than a 3.8.
So to those secrets. Electrically driven turbos. No waiting for the exhaust gases to get going, just spin the compressors with electric motors to force air straight into the combustion chamber. Once it’s got that initial lag-beating shove out the way, the exhaust gases take over.
But there’s more. The turbos also act as generators when off-boost, siphoning power back to a 1.9kWh battery. That battery powers this T-hybrid system, which also features an 80bhp/139lb ft motor spliced into the eight-speed PDK transmission – again something that aids response.
We’ve seen this before, haven’t we?
The basic engine comes from the Carrera GTS where it has a single turbo, but Porsche hasn’t let the tech stand still. The Turbo S uses smaller turbos, but spins them faster – at up to 145,000rpm rather than 120,000rpm. The end result is 701bhp (711PS) and 590lb ft. That’s a 60bhp gain from the outgoing car and although torque is the same, it now arrives 200rpm sooner (2,300rpm) and lasts 2,000rpm longer (6,000rpm).
You can choose between coupe and convertible, and both are absurdly fast. The headline figures for the coupe are 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds, 124mph in 8.4s and a 200mph top end. The Cabrio is only a tenth or two behind.
How does the chassis cope?
With difficulty. Launch control is devastating. Not only will it strain loose bits of you (please rest your head before take-off), but unless the tyres are warm and the surface perfect, it can get a bit skewy as the wheels hunt for traction. Don’t worry, it’s not a sign of things to come. Because the big news is how stable, lightfooted and confidence-inspiring the set-up is. Bluntly, the Turbo S makes you feel like a superhero, and then doesn’t punish you for accidentally wearing your pants outside your trousers.
You can’t put absolute stock by Nürburgring Nordschleife times, but this Turbo S is some 14 seconds faster than the last one at about 7min 03s. FOURTEEN. And that’s a scary bit of tarmac that’s more like a road than a racetrack. That can’t be ignored.
Read More https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/porsche/911-turbo-s
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