The Porsche 911 Turbo S has always been about providing insane levels of performance in an approachable, comfortable and subtle package. The new car, recently updated for the 992-generation, is just as well rounded as its predecessors.
Eager to see how the new 911 Turbo S performs in a host of different scenarios, Carfection’s Henry Catchpole jumped behind the wheel and put it through its paces through a small town, on the open road, and then on a racetrack.
Power is provided by a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six offering up 641 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque. This engine is bolted to an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission that drives all-four wheels. While it is true that vehicles like the McLaren 720S and Ferrari F8 Tributo have significantly more power than the Turbo S, the Porsche as it is already has too much oomph to use adequately on the street.
In a safe environment, Porsche claims it can hit 60 mph (96 km/h) in 2.6 seconds while reaching 124 mph (200 km/h) in 8.9 seconds.
Through town, Catchpole finds the Turbo S to be as docile as a hatchback. It is easy to drive, nicely sized, and doesn’t attract any unwanted attention. When taken to the track, though, it car turns into an entirely different animal and can be drifted around turns and slung down the straights of a circuit with ease, even if, despite all of its advanced electronics, it cannot completely hide its weight.