RE: Driven: Porsche 911 Turbo S

RE: Driven: Porsche 911 Turbo S

Thursday 13th May 2010

2010 Porsche 911 (997) Turbo S | PH Review

Extra power and all the toys make the new S a compelling choice


The first Turbo S of 1992 was a very different car to those that have worn the badge in recent years. An amalgamation of angrier 3.3 Turbo and the now revered 964 RS, it was light and fast: 381hp with a hardcore focus. But in recent years the badge has been applied to a different kind of 911 Turbo, one with a kitchen sink approach to the options list, as well as a bit more power. Starting with the 993 Turbo and then with the 996 variant, this was also something of a run-out deal as the replacement model waited in the wings. But this time the Turbo S model has appeared less than a year after the gen2 997 Turbo made its debut, and it's also the first opportunity to get a factory developed power upgrade for the Turbo model.

So, laid bare, this Turbo S is a simple equation formed from two parts. Firstly, it offers all of the kit that you'd probably want - and that buyers and the market are apparently demanding - neatly pre-packaged in one complete car. That means major mechanical items from the options list such as the PDK twin-clutch gearbox (with the new paddle shifters, too), ceramic brakes, PTV torque vectoring rear limited slip diff and the dynamic engine mounts. It also includes the 19" RS Spyder centre lock wheels, 'Dynamic' cornering headlamps, adaptive sports seats, cruise control and a CD auto-changer, on top of the usual Turbo spec. The only cosmetic difference is the two-tone leather upholstery (black/cream or black/blue) and the S badge on the engine cover.

However, the deal sweetener is that although the above kit is no bargain - the S (£123,263) is comparable in price to a standard Turbo with the same extras - also included in this price is a power upgrade that raises the peak output from 500hp to 530hp and sets torque permanently to 516lb ft (instead of on a temporary overboost in 'Sport' as on the standard car). There's less tailing-off of that torque curve over 4,500rpm as well. Remapped, with larger intercoolers, bigger compressor wheels in the variable vane turbos and with revised intake valve timing, the S runs at 1.2 bar boost (as opposed to 0.8-1.0 of the standard car).

Yep, guess what - the Turbo S is mind-bendingly quick, but then I'm sure you're hardly surprised to read that. It's the fastest accelerating road car Porsche currently makes, and probably the fastest from rest that the firm has ever made. The company claims 3.3sec to get to 62mph, but knock 2mph off for our currency, and factor in that UK mags have launched standard PDK-equipped Turbos to 60mph in the very low threes and you get an idea of the accelerative force of this car. And with launch control and the PDK 'box in 'Sport Plus' it's a trick the car can perform all day long.

Unfortunately, mere numbers simply don't adequately express just how quick this car really is, or the ease in which its titanic performance can be deployed. With PDK you don't have to do anything; no real skill is required. Simply stamp on the throttle and there's frantic forward thrust. Keep you toes pinned and it continues relentlessly, charging on deep into three figures.

Although the gen2 Turbo has improved upon the previous car in many areas, the replacement of the dearly beloved 'Metzger' flat six with the new 3.8 DFI unit has had two perhaps less desirable consequences for certain niches of the customer base. One, that the new engine predictably appears to be less tuneable than the old race-bred lump, and two, that while it produces an efficient rumble it doesn't have the aural character of the old engine - and 911 Turbos have never been the most musical of supercars anyway! But the new S improves upon the standard car in this regard thanks to the harder working Turbo chopping up more air and the corresponding whoosh and whistle, while a pronounced 'cuckoo' of surplus boost every time you lift off the accelerator under load is most welcome. The S gets a carbon airbox too, and this seems to have made the engine note louder, the low-rev drone now really sawing its way into the cabin.

Otherwise it drives as you'd expect - like a current 911 Turbo with the full arsenal of mechanical and electronic upgrades to sharpen the dynamics and trick the laws of physics. If any 911 suits the PDK gearbox it's the Turbo, much-improved with the new paddles, while the combined efforts of the diff and those mounts make an appreciable difference to the way the Turbo turns into a corner, and how it drives through. The roads on our test are streaming wet and smooth, making them very slippery, but the S turns in keenly and precisely (Porsche claims in the manner of a mid-engined car and there is at least some truth in that). From there, in these conditions however, it's about resisting any more speed or power otherwise the predictable understeer builds, followed by a swift transition to oversteer in some slow speed corners. At this point, the four-wheel drive system does everything it can to claw you straight and down the next straight as quickly as possible, a process that in slick conditions you can sense very clearly.

The S offers all the traditional Turbo strengths and characteristics and, perhaps inevitably, that means the same dichotomy of its appeal. You can argue that compared with more extravagant rivals it sounds uninspiring, that it lacks visual drama and individuality, and that it's (still) a peculiar challenge to drive quickly that isn't to all tastes. And you'd be right probably on all accounts, just as you'd also be right to champion its usability, uncanny 'rightness' of size in everyday situations and explosive performance contributing to its extraordinary cross-country pace. That's the inescapable truth about the Turbo S: when you're really going for it, and the boost gauge is right up the scale, you'll never find yourself asking for more drama, excitement or emotion. You just won't have the time...

Author
Discussion

bosshog

Original Poster:

1,574 posts

275 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
>you'll never find yourself asking for more drama, excitement or emotion. You just won't have the time...


It was like that in my old 993 turbo, god knows what it must be like in that beast.

PhatPhil

7 posts

210 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Fantastic read. Now can I borrow the keys? laugh

Glenn McMenamin

2,305 posts

237 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Very nicely written article, thanks for that.

Slight contradiction on the boost-overboost figures that some of
the car mags online reviews are stating, more inclined to trust the PH
figures though.

G.

Johnpidge

588 posts

188 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
I'll have mine in black with black leather!driving

soad

32,828 posts

175 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Very nice, probably doesn't sound as nice as some other porker variants - but perfect for daily use in any weather, i suspect.


PascalBuyens

2,868 posts

281 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Yet another flat beaten Beetle the world has to endure...

james_gt3rs

4,816 posts

190 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Horrible colour...

i'm no superhero

301 posts

170 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Gorgeous car.

Black with black leather + yellow callipers for me.

Looks like it's riding pretty high though. Needs some sideskirts IMO.

edo

16,699 posts

264 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
like the colour and the interior, but silver wheels please.

Geneve

3,857 posts

218 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
james_gt3rs said:
Horrible colour...
I saw the colour at Geneva, albeit under artificial lighting. It's ok, but looks a bit weak for such a commanding car, and didn't show off the silver Spyder wheels to their best.

Personally, I find the fascination with such performance a bit of a yawn, but I do think all the improvements to the Gen 2 model, the clever new chassis systems, and the desirable options, will make this a much better and more rewarding Turbo for the enthusiast. Apparently it even sounds pretty good (for a Turbo).




simon76

20 posts

172 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
What a machine.
Does anyone want to lend/give me a hundred and twenty-three grand?

Speedraser

1,656 posts

182 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Great car, but a shame it cannot be had with a gear lever and a clutch pedal even as an option.

pagani1

683 posts

201 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
I will be going to the factory to order mine on monday, colour? leather? wheels? now will someone just sell me the winning lottery ticket or else I won't be able to go.

ChrisW.

6,210 posts

254 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Fabulous car --- and for the performance, great value for money.

Or, you could have one of the new M3 GTS thingies ?

No contest !

athol

325 posts

209 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all



Magnificent, does it for me. Now at the top of my lottery winners daily driver list.

The only thing i object to is the constant dilution of the S, RS and GT badges. These used to be reserved for low volume, no compromise Porsches but the marketing boys and bean counters have had lunch together and they're now used to push you to spend an extra 10-20% over the standard cars. Shame but that's capitalism i guess.

I've had a couple of 993 turbos and a couple of 996 turbos and the S models of each, particularly the 993 seemed to be something more to aspire to than the S models of today.

Dunno, maybe it's just me.

Adam B

27,142 posts

253 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
love those wheels and interior, would have mine like that but exterior in the sport classic grey colour

must be a missile

GT2CS

657 posts

168 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
simon76 said:
What a machine.
Does anyone want to lend/give me a hundred and twenty-three grand?

I'll lend it to you at 30% annual interest rate and the car and your house as collateral

Koln-RS

3,849 posts

211 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Yikes, we're spoilt for choice - GT3, GT3RS, Turbo'S', GT2RS......

Suppose, if you need the rear seats and the every day practicality and security, it's got to be the new Turbo'S'. Love it.


mikEsprit

827 posts

185 months

Thursday 13th May 2010
quotequote all
Porsche bores the living hell out of me with their endless models of basically the same vehicle.

A car fan (but not necessarily a P fan) shouldn't have to resort to wikipedia to know whether or not he is looking at a good 911, a base 911, or a great 911 because they all look so damn similar and there are so many models of meaningless distinction.

spice

632 posts

269 months

Friday 14th May 2010
quotequote all
£50k more than a C4S ????