Detroit show: Porsche 911 Turbo to get Motown debut

PORSCHE’S new-look 911 Turbo and Turbo S range-toppers will get more power, extra features and higher pricetags when the facelifted range lands in Australian showrooms in May – just four months after their scheduled debut at the Detroit motor show in January.

Thanks to tweaks to the bi-turbo 3.8-litre flat six engine, including a pair of bigger blowers, the 911 Turbo S not only gains an extra 15kW of power, rising to 427kW, but also becomes the first 911 to crack the 3.0-second barrier in the 0-100km/h dash, doing it in a supercar-like 2.9 seconds.

The top speed is now 330km/h – 12km/h higher than before.

Even the ‘standard’ 397kW 911 Turbo can hit 100km/h in a flat 3.0 seconds, slicing two tenths of a second from the previous time, while going on to a top speed of 320km/h, 5km/h faster than the current version.

Unfortunately for buyers in Australia where the dollar has slipped a little against the Euro in recent times, the price of entry to the Turbo range will rise $18,800 when first stocks arrive in local showrooms in May.

Pricing will start at $384,900 (plus on-road costs) for the Turbo coupe – up from $366,100.

The facelifted Turbo S coupe will cost $456,500 – a rise of $12,000 – while the cabriolet Turbo and Turbo S will cost $406,900 and $478,000 respectively, representing rises of $10,900 and $9500.

Like the facelifted 911 Carrera that made its debut at this year’s Frankfurt motor show in September, the Turbo variants receive a new look, front and back, in this mid-life makeover.

Distinctive twin LED daytime driving light strips are embedded in the front fascia’s side air openings, mimicking the twin air blades in each. Porsche says the effect is to make the 911 Turbo appear wider.

Wider 20-inch wheels are standard on Turbo and Turbo S, with the latter getting a new seven-spoke design with central locks.

At the back, the Turbo variants have similar three-dimensional tail-lights to those on the Carrera, along with redesigned dual exhaust pipe outlets.

The grille in the rear lid also has been reshaped into three separate ports, with the middle one providing improved air intake.

Engine-wise, the new Turbos keep the same 3.8-litre boxer six but with a number of improvements for extra power and greater fuel economy.

On the Turbo, the 14kW power gain is achieved by modified inlet ports in the cylinder head, new injection nozzles and higher fuel pressure.

The Turbo S gets new turbochargers with larger variable compressors.

As before, Porsche’s acclaimed PDK dual-clutch transmission is standard equipment. No manual will be offered.

New for 2016 is what Porsche calls a “dynamic boost function” for improved engine response by maintaining full boost even when the accelerator pedal is released briefly.

“This is achieved by just interrupting fuel injection, whereas the throttle valve remains open,” Porsche says. “As a result, the engine reacts with practically no delay to another press of the accelerator pedal.”

Fuel economy has been improved by 0.6 litres per 100km on all Turbo variants, with the coupes using a claimed 9.1L/100km and the cabriolets 9.3L/100km on the European combined test cycle.

These improvements are said to have been made courtesy of advanced electronic engine and transmission management with revised gear change mappings.

Turbo variants get Porsche’s Sport Chrono package as standard, along with what it calls Sport Response.

The driver can use a button on the steering wheel to select from four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual – with the latter allowing the driver to configure his or her own driving set-up.

The Sport Response button is said to be inspired by motor racing, with Porsche saying it “preconditions the engine and gearbox” for the best possible response at the push of a button.

“In this mode, the Turbo and Turbo S can produce optimal acceleration for up to 20 seconds, such as when overtaking,” the company says.

An upgraded Porsche Stability Management (PSM) system now allows driving closer to the edge on, for example, a racetrack, but still retains an element of stability control in the background unless the driver presses the PSM button twice, which deactivates all PSM control.

The Turbo S gets variable ride selection, with a greater spread between performance and comfort, along with a chassis control system that includes roll compensation as standard.

While steel brake discs are standard on the Turbo, the Turbo S gets ceramic brake discs.

Options include radar-operated lane change assist, and a lift system that raises the front axle 40mm for greater clearance under the front spoiler at low speeds.

A new infotainment system with satellite navigation has improved connectivity, including Apple CarPlay and the ability to read handwritten notes.

A Bose sound system is standard, while an even higher Burmester system is optional.

2016 Porsche 911 pricing*

911 Turbo (a)	$384,900
911 Turbo Cabriolet (a)	$406,400
911 Turbo S (a)	$456,500
911 Turbo S Cabriolet (a)	$478,000

*Excludes on-road costs