Porsche unveils its fastest 911 Turbo in 40 years, blogs Road Test
Editor Howard Walker
Now that’s how you celebrate 40 years of magic!
Back in 1973, Porsche introduced its first 911 Turbo creating essentially the first real-world, use-it-every-day Supercar. Forty years later, Porsche has unwrapped its greatest, and most potent 911 Turbo ever: '14 Turbo S, above.
How potent? The new Turbo S model comes with a 560 horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six that can rocket you from standstill to 60 mph in an unthinkable 2.9 seconds. Top speed? That would be 198 mph. Too scary? There’s also a base Turbo with a mere 520 horses that can cover the 0-to-60 sprint in 3.2 seconds and still run to a 196 mph top speed!
But this latest rear-engined missile is so much more than neck-contorting acceleration. It comes with one of the most advanced all-wheel-drive systems ever designed, for even faster and more precise power distribution to the front and rear axles. It also features, for the first time, a rear-wheel steer system that allows for up to 2.8 degrees of steering. This is said to dramatically improve steering response and deliver sharper, more immediate turn-in to a corner.
And to ensure this latest 911 Turbo doesn’t go airborne as the speedo needle sweeps past the 190-mph mark, the new, wider body comes with a new active aerodynamic system. This includes a retractable three-stage front spoiler whose segments can be pneumatically extended. At the rear, there’s a deploy-able rear wing, also with three adjustable wing positions. These two combined allow the driver to fine-tune the aerodynamics of the car for either optimal efficiency, or top dynamic performance. Maybe Porsche should seriously consider offering a free Top Gun course when you buy a car!
Visually, this new Turbo is like a standard 911 but on steroids. New huge flared rear fenders widen the car by 1.1 inches compared to the already beamy 911 Carrera 4. It also rolls on stunning new forged two-tone 20-inch alloy wheels, right, which feature center hub wheel locks on the Turbo S model. And to make sure your neighbor is left in no doubt you’re driving the very latest Turbo, there are new, full-LED headlights that feature four-point daytime running lights.
But don’t pull out your AMEX Centurion card just yet. These two new 911 Turbos aren’t scheduled to land in the U.S. until the end of the year. As for pricing, the ‘14 911 Turbo will go for $149,250, while the Turbo S will sticker for $182,050.
Happy 40th Mr. Turbo!
For more information on the latest from Porsche, please visit http://my.porsche.com/usa/models/
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