Porsche reveals it’s new 911 Turbo
Stuttgart has finally revealed its latest flagship 911, boasting new all-wheel drive running gear with active rear axle steering, adaptive aerodynamics, full-LED headlights and a slew of other enhancements to make the car one of the most advanced models to come through its doors.
This new Type 991 generation 911 Turbo and Turbo S feature a more advanced turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine with direct petrol injection. It produces 520bhp in the 911 Turbo and 560bhp in the Turbo S. the flat-six engine is mated to Porsche’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Along with it come an auto start/stop function with engine shut-off that activates earlier than before and the coasting function.
With the introduction of the new all-wheel drive system, faster and more precise power distribution can be sent to the two axles. When equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package Plus, the new 911 Turbo can sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 3.2 seconds. The new 911 Turbo S however, is 0.1 seconds faster taking just 3.1 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h and can go on to a top speed of 317km/h.
Porsche says that the rear axle steering system greatly improves both track driving and everyday performance of the new 911 Turbo. Instead of using conventional control arms, the system has two electro-mechanical actuators on the left and right of the rear axle. Depending on the speed of the vehicle, the steering angle of the rear wheels can be varied up to 2.8 degrees.
A fascinating thing about the new system is that at speeds of 50km/h, when the front wheels are turned in a certain direction, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction thereby virtually shortening the wheelbase by 250mm while providing better cornering agility. At speeds of 80km/h the system steers the rear wheels parallel to the turned front wheels. As a whole, the system will allow the car to turn faster into bends, offer better dynamic steering response and simplifies low speed manoeuvring and parking.
As for the active aerodynamics, it consists of a retractable three-stage front spoiler, whose segments can be pneumatically extended and a deployable rear wing with three adjustable positions. The new car also sports 28mm wider rear body panels than the 911 Carrera 4 models and comes with two-tone 20-inch diameter wheels. The 911 Turbo S rolls on the same size rims but comes with hub wheel locks.
Porsche has redesigned the 911 Turbo’s interior. The Turbo S has an exclusive Black/Carrera Red colour combination interior and 18-way adjustable memory sports seats. As with the previous model, the new car comes with a Bose Surround Sound audio system as standard and also features a radar-controlled cruise control system and a camera-based road sign and speed recognition system as options.
The new 911 Turbo models are available for order from Porsche Centres in the UK and Ireland where the Turbo is priced from £118,349 and the Turbo S from £140,852, deliveries of the right-hand drive car will begin in September 2013 but Motor Trader does offer some pre-owned options.
