Porsche unveils blistering new 911 Turbo S

PORSCHE has unveiled its latest performance flagship, the new-generation 911 Turbo S, which will arrive in Australia in the second half of the year priced from $473,900 plus on-road costs for the coupe.

Opting for the cabriolet adds an extra $21,000 to the asking price, bringing it to $494,900 plus on-roads and making it the most expensive full-time variant across the Porsche line-up, usurping the $473,500 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid wagon.

The main focus for the new Turbo S is, of course, directed towards its engine, a newly developed 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged horizontally opposed six-cylinder petrol unit, tuned to produce a whopping 478kW of power and 800Nm of torque.

While not able to match the 515kW output of the most powerful 911 to date – the 991-generation GT2 RS – it has more torque than any previous 911, and trumps the previous Turbo S by 51kW/50Nm.

To extract the extra power, the new engine features a redesigned charge air cooling system with four intakes and lower resistance, larger turbochargers with electrically adjustable wastegate flaps and piezo injectors.

The increased output translates to higher levels of performance for the 911. Equipped with a model-specific eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, the new 911 Turbo S coupe is able to sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 2.7 seconds – an improvement of 0.2s – while 200km/h is dispatched in 8.9s and top speed comes up shortly thereafter, at 330km/h.

Porsche has revised the Turbo’s all-wheel-drive system, with the transfer case now able to transmit up to 500Nm to the front wheels through the Porsche Traction Management System.

The new generation of Turbo S is 45mm wider at the front axle and 10mm at the rear, with mixed 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloy wheels.

Porsche’s Active Suspension Management chassis which lowers the suspension by 10mm will be offered as an option, as will a sports exhaust system with adjustable flaps.

New dampers provide greater dynamics with a faster and more precise response, which results in advantages for roll stability, roadholding and cornering speed.

The Turbo S is distinguished from the outside by LED matrix headlights with dual front light modules, rectangular tailpipes and a pneumatically extendable front spoiler and larger rear wing which provides 15 per cent more downforce.

Inside, standard equipment includes a 10.9-inch infotainment system, the GT sports steering wheel, Sport Chrono package with the Porsche Track Precision app, and a Bose Surround Sound system.

Porsche Cars Australia has confirmed local specification will include front seat heating, lane-change assist with blind-spot monitoring, comfort access and DAB+ digital radio.

The Turbo S will join the existing 911 range which currently consists of the Carrera and Carrera S, with the GTS, Targa and GT3 expected to follow.

2020 Porsche 911 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs