Awesome performance comes at a cost
[May 2011] The latest Porsche 911 is a wonderful all-round
sportscar that can be driven every day, but like a good TV there is
always something better and more expensive to tempt you.
A new engine, dual-clutch automatic and
range of high-tech tweaks have turned it from a very quick car to a
truly ballistic one.
How does 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds
sound? Fast is how it sounded at the international launch at
Portugal’s Estoril track. The double boosted 911 did this and 11.9
second quarter mile (400m) runs again and again without fail. That
was after it had been subjected to a day of savage hot
laps.
The sheer brutality of the initial
acceleration is simply incredible, almost as impressive as the
seemingly endless surge of power unleashed from the new
engine.
Up from 3.6-litres, the new 3.8 boxer
six-cylinder also takes on direct injection as well as a range of
upgrades such as a new, lighter, integrated dry sump.
It retains the variable turbine geometry
turbo chargers, one on each side, which now have a maximum boost
pressure of 1 bar, which is actually 0.2 bar less than the last
one.
All this means the new Turbo has 15kW
more for a total of 368kW at 6000rpm. Maximum torque rises 30Nm to
650Nm from 1950-5000rpm. Just in case that isn’t enough an extra
50Nm is available with an optional overboost function.
The special turbos build up the pressure
so quickly there is seemingly no lag at all. Open the throttle and
all hell is unleashed, instantly.
The sound is a goosebump-inducing mix of
induction rush and engine howl that reaches a crescendo at
7000rpm.
Somewhat remarkably, Porsche engineers
have managed to make the engine more efficient at the same time,
saving up to 16 percent which means economy of 11.4L/100km for the
automatic coupe.
The new Turbo is now available with the
brilliant new twin-clutch PDK automatic with seven gears which
replaces the regular torque convertor five-speeder.
It is available with option launch
control which enables those super-fast acceleration
times.
The PDK is a wonderfully quick shifting
transmission in manual mode, faster than any human, and is now
available with proper (optional) paddles. It is also very good in
automatic mode except at low speed city driving when it can get
confused.
The six-speed manual is lovely and
crisp.
In order to put all the power to the
tarmac, the Turbo has a constant all-wheel drive system.
A new optional feature is the Porsche
Torque Vectoring which is a limited slip differential with added
capability of braking either rear wheel.
The combination of the fearsome
performance, a rear mounted engine providing super rear grip, AWD
and the new slip diff contributes to a remarkably capable track
car.
It maintained almost unbelievable corner
speeds around the twisty track, but remained quite predictable and
the brakes showed no signs of fade.
This 911 Turbo is easier to push hard
thanks to its many driver aids, including switchable ESC. You still
need to be careful when backing off the throttle heading into a
corner to prevent lift-off oversteer, a problem magnified when the
motor sits behind you.
The good news on the pricing front is
that the new 911 Turbo will be cheaper than the current car. The
bad news is that it will still be damn expensive, around $355,000
for the coupe and $361,000 for the convertible. A PDK automatic
should set you back and extra $8000. Time to start
saving.
Fast
Facts
2010 PORSCHE
911 TURBO
BODY: Two door coupe or
convertible
WEIGHT:
1570kg
ENGINE: 3.8-litre twin
turbo six-cylinder boxer
POWER/TORQUE: 368kW @
6000rpm/650Nm @ 1950-5000rpm
TRANSMISSION: Six-speed
manual or seven speed automatic
DRIVETRAIN: Rear eng,
all wheel drive
PERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h:
3.4sec. Top speed – 312km/h
PRICE: From $355,000
(estimated)