Porsche goes for gold with 446kW 911 Turbo

IF YOU want the most powerful, fastest and most expensive Porsche 911 production coupe built yet, you had better get in fast.

Just 500 of the limited-edition 446kW 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series coupes will be hand-built in Germany for global consumption, with “extremely limited” numbers available for Australian buyers at an eye-watering $590,700 plus on-road costs.

The price – $128,800 more than the “standard” $461,900 911 Turbo S coupe – is no barrier to certain Australian buyers who have already placed orders sight unseen for the new variant that is shown in the publicity photographs in a metallic gold finish but can be had in different colours.

According to Porsche Cars Australia communications director Paul Ellis, two orders had been placed by Australian customers before the car was officially announced today, and others could be expected now that the vehicle has gone public.

“Customers for this car are known for wanting the best of the best,” he said.

Mr Ellis said he did not know how many of the cars would be allocated to Australian buyers, but the company would simply take the orders, place them with the factory and see how many it can fulfil.

Based on past experience, Australia’s allocation will probably end up in single figures.

Made by Porsche’s newly renamed Exclusive Manufaktur bespoke manufacturing operation in Zuffenhausen, the new variant gains the most powerful road-going version of the 911’s 3.8-litre bi-turbo flat six, producing a supercar-like 446kW of power – 19kW more than the flagship 911 Turbo S engine’s 427kW – thanks to what Porsche describes as an “exclusive power kit”.

Peak torque of 750Nm – the same as the Turbo S – is achieved between 2250rpm and 4000rpm.

Like the Turbo S, the Exclusive Series matches the engine with Porsche’s acclaimed seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission.

Sadly, the latest variant is no faster to 100km/h that the Turbo S, perhaps because of tyre grip limitations. Mind you, that sprint time is 2.9 seconds. 200km/h comes up in 9.6 seconds, and it tops out at 330km/h, which most buyers should find sufficient.

Fortunately, stopping power is provided by ceramic brake discs gripped by callipers uniquely (in the Porsche world) painted black and emblazoned with the Porsche name in gold behind black-painted 20-inch alloy wheels with race-style central locking nuts.

Those wheels, incidentally, have gold-painted highlights applied with the help of a laser.

Porsche throws in its active suspension system and Sport Chrono package as standard equipment, along with rear-axle steering and dynamic chassis control.

No matter the body colour, each Exclusive Series 911 is adorned in carbon-weave finishes, including dual stripes over the bonnet and roof, exterior mirrors, rear spoiler and front splitter, among other things.

The rear engine air scoop – again in a carbon finish – is new, as is the rear apron with twin exhaust pipe tips in a black-finished stainless steel.

Inside, 18-way adjustable sports seats are cloaked in not one but two layers of perforated leather. The idea is that the inside layer’s two gold stripes are revealed through the out layer via the perforations.

Seat stitching is in the same gold, as it the Turbo S lettering stitched on the headrests.

For a little extra bling, a fine copper thread is integrated into the carbon interior trim. While the Alcantara roof lining gets gold pinstripes.

Each car gets Exclusive Series badging and the obligatory limited edition number on a plate.

If that is not enough, buyers can order up the matching Exclusive Series watch and luggage set.