Porsche is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its 911 Turbo in the best possible way: by announcing the next-generation of the rear-engined beast. The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S are here, and man oh man, do they seem like the business.
At the heart of the new Turbo is a rear-mounted, turbocharged, 3.8-liter flat-six engine, making use of twin, variable-turbine-geometry turbos. For the standard Turbo, the result is 520 horsepower, a 0-60 miles per hour sprint of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. Not quick enough you say? Well, Porsche will also happily sell you a Turbo S with 560 horsepower, 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 198 mph. Impressively, Porsche also notes that the Turbo S will dispatch the Nürburgring Nordschleife in "well under 7 and a half minutes – with standard production tires." Church.
All that engine power is managed by Porscheâs seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, which would seem to be the only available transmission for the Turbo. The PDK transmission and turbo engine make use of a new thermal management system that, in concert with an auto stop/start system, are expected to make this 911 Turbo more fuel-efficient than ever. Expect EPA ratings closer to the carâs on-sale date at the end of 2013.
The overall visual effect is appropriately brutal for Porscheâs big boy 911.
Keeping the 911 in contact with the ground is of paramount importance, given the velocities at hand, so Porsche has also outlined a new all-wheel-drive system, with rear-wheel steering. The Porsche Traction Management AWD setup features electronically controlled and activated multi-plate coupling, is water-cooled and can drive higher levels of torque to the front wheels. The rear-wheel steer system consists of two electro-mechanical actuators in place of control links on the rear axles. These allow for 2.8-degrees of rear-wheel steering, and improved steering response and turn-in as a result.
Porsche has created a supercar-like wide body for this generation of Turbo; the new model is 1.1-inches wider than a Carrera 4 with hugely flared rear fenders. That big, low body rides on standard 20-inch aluminum wheels. Youâll be able to pick out the Turbo S by way of its standard full-LED headlights, as well. Active aero in the form of a deployable, three-stage front spoiler, and a three-way rear wing, is another first for the Turbo line. The overall effect is appropriately brutal for Porscheâs big boy 911.
Of course, with the insane levels of power and performance for this new 911 Turbo come hefty price tags, too. When a $950 destination charge is factored in, the Turbo model will start at $149,250, while the Turbo S asks $182,050. Browse downward for the full Porsche press release, to find even more detailed information.
