Wednesday 15th November 2023

Porsche launches new 'Turbonite' crest

Company's take on the midnight pack brings new badging and trim for Turbo cars

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Here we go again, Porsche has another new word for us to learn. After getting our heads around calling its Alcantara-mimicking trim ‘Race-Tex’ and learning what all its many, many acronyms mean, the German carmaker has now introduced ‘Turbonite’ (yes, really) to its glossary, marking the launch of a new colour-reserved badge for the firm’s Turbo models.

No, this isn’t some sci-fi material from outer space designed to cripple Superman’s Porsche-loving alter ego, rather it’s a newly developed ‘elegant metallic grey’ that’ll be offered exclusively on Turbo cars to help differentiate them from the rest of the range (which is becoming a problem). The colour itself mixes a grey tone with gold metallic flakes for a dash of glitz, though a satin finish should keep it looking subtle (well, as subtle as a blacked-out Porsche can be). The new shade will feature on a revamped version of the company’s crest, as well as on the window borders, side mirrors, bits of the interior trim and (model depending) on the wheels.

“In 1974, we presented the first turbocharged 911. Since then, the Turbo has become a synonym for our high-performance top models and is now more or less a brand of its own. We now want to make the Turbo even more visible, and differentiate it more markedly from other derivatives such as the GTS”, said Porsche style boss Michael Mauer. “This is why we’ve developed a distinctive Turbo aesthetic. From now on, the Turbo versions will exhibit a consistent appearance across all model series – one that is elegant, high-quality and very special.”

If you’re wondering if the new 911 Turbo S you’ve just ordered will come with the bits of Turbonite, then you’re (probably) in for disappointment. Porsche is launching the new colour on the next generation Panamera Turbo, which we’ll see on 24th November, before opening up to the rest of the Turbo range. So, what are we thinking? A subtle differentiator for Turbo models, or is just a black edition with a fancier name?

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• Porsche confirms Panamera unveil for November
• Porsche 911 Turbo S (992) | PH Review

[dunnoreally]

What a lot of words to say "Porsche will soon sell grey badges". Especially when you can probably already get them cheaper off Ali Express.

[Chubbyross]

I’ve just been on the phone to Porsche to try and order one but I need to buy twelvety Macans, a 911 Turbo S and take the sales director’s wife off his hands first.

[Roger Irrelevant]

I for one can barely contain my excitement at this epoch-defining news. I shall immediately sell all my earthly possessions and go on the game in order to obtain a Porsche with one of these grey badges on it.

[carlo996]

Fools and money.

[Hothouse]

Surely at some point all this marketing nonsense will start to rub against even the die hards and actually start devaluing the brand.

[carlo996]

Hothouse said:

Surely at some point all this marketing nonsense will start to rub against even the die hards and actually start devaluing the brand.

The brand is what 'influencers' want

[Radish]

Another triumph for the German school of design to be spoken of in the same breath as baseball stitching, the Polo Harlequin, teddy bear alloys and, the Porsche speciality, the total one colour interior.

[I 8 a 4RE]

As a big fan of the brand … I hate this type of bulljive.

But at the same time selling this to the builder done well allows them to make GT3s with a 9,000 rpm redline.

Needs must.

[SSBB]

Porsche trying to push the Turbo name as a trim level, rather than a drivetrain feature. Which they’ll need to do once the whole range is EV. Too much value in the Turbo name to leave it as a historical moniker.

[Baldchap]

This is almost as big as when VW changed their badge ever so slightly.

I think I need a lie down.

[CKY]

I 8 a 4RE said:

But at the same time selling this to the builder done well allows them to make GT3s with a 9,000 rpm redline.

Needs must.

If they perhaps made more GT3s so as to satisfy the demand for their product, then we wouldn't have roads littered with Porsche-badged Audi Q5s, gopping Cayenne Coupe things (seriously, wtf?), or the ever-hideous Panamera. As a consequence the brand would have an image more in keeping with what the fanboys still see through their Porsche tinted specs, as opposed to the car company-turned-hedge fund that Porsche are. Still, at least manipulating the wealthy in to buying Porsche's crap has enabled them to waste millions of Euros in turning their badge monochrome.

Needs really mustn't.

[D4rez]

Weird given they basically all have a turbo now, and in future they will all be electric

[Om]

They are just black and white photos aren't they?

To be fair most Porsche badges become 'Turbonite' after about 10 years exposure to the elements anyway.

[Katzenjammer]

SSBB said:

Porsche trying to push the Turbo name as a trim level, rather than a drivetrain feature. Which they’ll need to do once the whole range is EV. Too much value in the Turbo name to leave it as a historical moniker.

I think you’ve nailed it^


Within a week you’ll be able to buy knock off versions of these badges from all the usual sources

Edited by Katzenjammer on Wednesday 15th November 13:10

[Dohnut]

The Blackadder "purest green" sketch springs to mind.

[dpop]

An embrassingly uncool brand these days; target market: 60 year old guys who think they don't look a day over 50

[9k rpm]

I had grey shield badges on my 992 C2S wheels but swapped the centre caps for ones with coloured badges (not from Porsche I might add as they wanted £150 for 4) as they looked dull.

Looks like I can sell the old ones to someone for a grand now…..

[matrignano]

Is the new Panamera they talk about on a brand new platform?
Or just a restyling

[Robertb]

I might refill the water softener with salt tabs this afternoon.

[loudlashadjuster]

Well, it certainly rhymes with 'turbonite'...