So, with Porsche having set up the, erm... lower ends of its 992-generation Porsche 911 range, we've got the first of all the mentally fast ones which are to come; provided, of course, you somehow think the 450hp, 190mph, 3.4-seconds-to-62mph Carrera 4S is a bit slow. This is the 992 Turbo S and it uses the same basic engine as the Carrera models, only significantly enhanced, upped in swept capacity and given a honking great new pair of turbochargers. The net result is a 3.8-litre biturbo flat-six petrol unit that delivers (wait for it) 650hp and 800Nm. Those are increases of 70hp and 50Nm over the 991.2 Turbo S, itself no slouch, and so the 992 Turbo S - which you can have as a Coupe or a Cabriolet - goes like the unholy clappers. The 0-62mph run will take you just 2.7 seconds, 0-120mph is done and dusted with in 8.9 seconds (that's a whole second quicker than the 991.2 version) and the wide-bodied 911 will top out at 205mph. Which is the same as the 991.2, but who's complaining? We mentioned it being a bit fatter than usual and the 992 Turbo S is 1,900mm across the rear axle, which is 20mm wider than its immediate predecessor and 48mm wider than a 992 Carrera of any flavour. Corresponding to this, the track widths are increased by 42- and 10mm front and rear respectively, a set of high-performance specialised tyres are fitted to 20-inch front, 21-inch rear centre-lock alloy wheels, it has a full array of active aerodynamics which deliver 15 per cent more downforce than the old Turbo S, and you get desirable chassis kit like Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) with ten-piston front callipers, the latest generation of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) system, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and Rear-Axle Steering (RAS) as standard. Inside, there's a 'Type 930'-homage interior, as well as a GT Sports steering wheel, the Sport Chrono package with the Porsche Track Precision app and a Bose Surround Sound System as standard. Matrix LED headlights are also no-cost fitments from the factory, but options will include a Sports chassis which is lowered by 10mm and a Sports exhaust system, a first for the 911 Turbo, for a fruitier-sounding driving experience. Both the 911 Turbo S Coupe and the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet (992 spec) are available to order from Porsche Centres now, with the tin-top costing a hefty £155,970 and the Cab coming in at an even heftier £165,127. Glorious!
Matt Robinson - 3 Mar 2020