The 2024 Porsche 911 Turbo S

The present-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S is on its manner out. Earlier this yr, the arrival of a new GTS kicked off the 992.2 refresh, introducing the primary hybrid powertrain within the mannequin’s over 60-year historical past. An electrical turbocharger, an electrical motor sandwiched between its engine and transmission, and a small battery pack shift the GTS components, concurrently offering us a glimpse at 911s to come back. 

Given the efficiency advantages of hybrid energy, 59-horsepower greater than its predecessor within the GTS’s case, there’s a robust risk that a few of this tech will work its manner into what has at all times been probably the most potent 911s. There are extra rumors, too, with some speculating that Porsche will provide a rear-drive variant outfitted with a guide transmission, which, given simply how jazzed the carmaker has been about guide transmissions, wouldn’t be shocking. Take the manual-only Carrera T and its many shift sample stickers for instance.

Nonetheless, earlier than a wave of recent tech and what may be a good shakeup of the mannequin sweeps away the present Porsche 911 Turbo S, I’m taking a remaining take a look at what, over time, has turn into the 911 that actually does all of it. 

Versatility has at all times been a foremost ingredient of the 911 components. Ample cargo and inside house, a compliant trip for lengthy drives, and mechanical sturdiness make sure you at all times get there are integral to it. And when you’ll nonetheless discover these core tenets within the present Turbo S, its efficiency stats counsel it’s not content material with chasing sports activities vehicles. Like its predecessors, this 911 needs to compete with the prancing horses and raging bulls of the world.

At its core sits a 3.8-liter flat-six with two turbochargers strapped, growing 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. For these retaining rating, that’s 9 horses and a whopping 147 lb-ft greater than the lately departed Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica. It’s additionally 60 hp and 37 lb-ft over the 991.2 era it replaces. Like each iteration for the reason that 993 Turbo, it sends energy to all 4 wheels, on this case, by way of a model-specific eight-speed PDK. It sprints to 60 mph in 2.6 seconds, blitzes by means of the quarter-mile in 10.5, and tops out at 205 mph.

But as spectacular as its stats are on paper, what units the Porsche 911 Turbo S aside is simply how effectively it deploys that efficiency on a winding again highway. Clicking out of Regular mode, by means of Sport, and into Sport+ sharpens its throttle response and opens the flaps of its optionally available Sport Exhaust. On the similar time, an obtainable PASM Sport suspension squats its trip top by 0.4 inches in comparison with the usual system. 

Its character shifts, however not its approachability. Leaning on the throttle at first isn’t as intimidating as you may anticipate. At low revs, its flax-six stays fairly docile. Nonetheless, work your manner into the center of the tach as enhance strain builds and its acceleration shifts from progressive to explosive. This isn’t turbo lag within the conventional sense, because it’s merely transitioning from very quick to overwhelmingly quick. But a tug of the appropriate paddle leads to a near-instant upshift, which, due to closely-spaced gears, drops you proper in that enhance candy spot.

At the same time as you construct braveness and lean extra on the appropriate pedal, there’s by no means a way that the Porsche 911 Turbo S is trying to chunk again. It encourages you to begin feeding energy earlier every time you rocket out of a bend. A brand new switch case makes this doable, as it will probably now route as much as 368 lb-ft to the entrance wheels. Coupled with the traction advantages of a observe that grows by 1.7 inches up entrance and 0.4 within the rear, together with wider 255/35 and 315/30 tires, the Turbo S will fortunately claw its manner out of corners with out drama. In consequence, you may hustle it up your favourite winding highway utilizing a point-and-squirt strategy. Wherever you purpose its nostril, it would observe. 

Regardless of its limits being virtually untouchable exterior of a observe, you continue to get loads of suggestions from its steering and chassis in any respect speeds. Whereas turning the wheel leads to a fast response from the entrance, it doesn’t dart round like one thing with a GT in it’s title may, nor does it punish you with an excessively agency trip to ship such glorious dealing with. It’s planted and composed however by no means harsh. And whereas its carbon ceramic brakes shine with their vivid yellow calipers, their efficiency is constant on a twisty highway and the day by day commute. 

This brings me to the opposite half of this automotive’s persona, which makes it a very distinctive machine. Recall the flexibility facet I discussed earlier as a result of that’s this automotive’s secret weapon. Whereas the Porsche 911 Turbo S is genuinely supercar fast, it will probably simply slip into the grand tourer or day by day driver function. Dial the drive mode selector again right down to Regular, and its suspension softens significantly. Its deployable entrance splitter folds away, considerably enhancing its floor clearance, whereas its rear wing lowers into its low-drag place. 

Its eight-speed PDK strikes by means of gears imperceptibly, whereas its valved exhaust permits solely a hum to permeate the cabin. Skip the optionally available carbon-fiber buckets and stick to the usual 18-way adjustable set of Sport seats, and the Turbo S makes for a super automotive for a trek throughout the nation, even when it isn’t a Cannonball run. 

A GT Sport steering wheel comes normal, but regardless of being harking back to what you’d discover in a GT3, it doesn’t detract from what it in any other case a sublime and spacious cabin. This tester’s Truffle Brown inside with Chalk contrasting stitching is attractive, properly complementing the Aventurine Inexperienced exterior shade. Its rear seats are as tiny as ever, becoming babies at finest, or extra precisely, any leftover baggage that may’t be stashed within the nostril.

This go-anywhere spirit aligns with this automotive’s styling as a result of, regardless of its deployable rear wing, large arches, and low stance, the Porsche 911 Turbo S blends in. Given that each one new 911s profit from broadened bodywork, the Turbo isn’t as distinct because it as soon as was. Whereas this could enable it to function a day by day driver as half of a bigger assortment, it’s rapidly transferring into if-you-know-you-know territory, which, given this automotive’s $232,050 beginning value, won’t at all times be a very good factor. As-tested, this specific instance is available in at $249,740.

With doubtlessly vital modifications on the horizon, the 992.1-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S bows out as arguably one of the best iteration but. Whereas potential electrification may additional enhance its efficiency and supercar urge for food, this outgoing mannequin represents the 911 Turbo components at its finest.

From its formidable efficiency on a again highway to its consolation and day by day usability and its elegant, spacious cabin, it’s as versatile as a sports activities automotive might be. And whereas its seems to be will not be as flashy as you’d anticipate from a automotive beginning at near a quarter-million, its capability to mix in invitations you to rack up the miles. Though it’s on its manner out, the Turbo S stays the 911 that actually does all of it.