New Porsche 911 Turbo S to pack 478kW punch

The all-new 992-series Porsche 911 Turbo S has been officially revealed at a private event live-streamed to the world, bringing outrageous firepower to the 911 range.

Arriving in Australia in the second half of 2020, the next Porsche 911 Turbo S will be priced at $473,900 for the coupe and $494,900 for the cabriolet (not including on-road costs), representing price rises of around $12,000.

But the latest Porsche 911 flagship -- until the racy new GT2 and GT3 RS models arrive -- is so fast it will singe your consciousness.

The 2020 Turbo S models pack stratospherically powerful 3.8-litre six-cylinder boxer engines that are all-new, according to Porsche. The beefed-up Turbo S Coupe will launch to 100km/h in just 2.7 seconds -- two-tenths of a second quicker than their predecessors.

Given that Porsche is notorious for under-quoting its acceleration claims, the car's actual 0-100km/h time is probably closer to 2.5 seconds, making the twin-turbo Porker one of the fastest series production cars ever made.

The power war doesn't look like ending any time soon either, as Porsche seeks to electrify up to half its model range in the next five years.

"Around 50 per cent of all Porsche vehicles could be sold with an electric or hybrid drive by 2025," said Porsche CEO Oliver Blume. But purists need not worry, as he also said pure combustion engines will always be offered with the 911.

Peak power from the rear-mounted twin-turbo boxer six is 478kW (650hp), an increase of 51kW (70hp) over its predecessor. Peak torque rises to 800Nm, which is a 50Nm boost.

Top speed remains at 330km/h but it’s the way the extra herbs are transferred to the ground, through the car's new driveline, that helps improve straight-line performance.

Taking advantage of a specially-developed eight-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission that pumps through an updated all-wheel-drive system, the new Turbo S utilises the latest Porsche traction management (PTM) system.

This allows the 911 Turbo S to transfer up to 500Nm to the front axle when required, but the default torque split always favours the rear axle.

Together with a wider stance and improved active aerodynamics, the 992-series Porsche 911 Turbo S will sprint to 200km/h in a claimed 8.9 seconds -- one second faster than the previous model.

Porsche's new Turbo S engine features larger turbocharges, electrically adjustable wastegate valves (via stepper motors), upgraded intercoolers and piezo injectors, all of which have "significantly improved the vehicle’s characteristics with regard to responsiveness, power, torque, emissions and revving ability," says Porsche.

Despite claiming improved fuel efficiency at cruising velocities, the new engine's bigger muscles require more oxygen (and cooling) at full throttle, so a couple of extra air intakes have been added in the rear lid grille, which work in tandem with the traditional side intakes behind the doors.

Generating ludicrous amounts of power isn't unique in the sports car world, but being able to predictably control it most certainly is, and Porsche is proud of its latest achievements.

Active aerodynamics comprise the rear wing, cooling air flaps at the front and a reworked, pneumatically adjustable front spoiler which, combined, can improve downforce by up 15 per cent.

Along with new aerodynamics, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is super chunky, measuring 1840mm wide at the front axle and 1900mm wide at the rear axle. That means it's 45mm wider at the front and 10mm thicker at the rear than before, which along with wider tracks allows for the fitment of wider, staggered wheels.

According to Porsche, it's the first time the 911 Turbo S has been fitted with 20-inch front (255/35) and 21-inch rear (315/30) tyres.

Fitted with PASM, or Porsche active suspension management, the Turbo S's adaptive suspension hunkers the Porsche's body 10mm lower to the ground than its siblings.

Together with "faster and more precisely controlled dampers", the new 911 Turbo S delivers significant improvements in terms of drive dynamics "with respect to roll stability, road holding, steering behaviour and cornering speeds", claims Porsche.

In terms of aesthetics, the 992-series Porsche 911 Turbo S has a wider front-end with larger lateral air intakes and 'Turbo-look' LED matrix headlights. The rear-end is dominated by the ultra-wide hips, that adjustable rear wing and full-length horizontal LED tail-light bar.

Quad rectanbgular exhaust outlets with a glossy black finish and an adjustable exhaust note also denote the supercar's flagship status.

Drivers will be treated to a luxurious cabin too, with full leather upholstery and carbon-fibre accents throughout, not to mention 18-way adjustable sports seats whose exposed stitching is a tip of the hat to the 930-series 911 Turbo from the mid-1970s.

The touchscreen infotainment system has grown to 10.9-inches wide, while other standard features include a Bose Surround Sound system, seat heaters, lane change assist, digital radio, GT sports steering wheel, Sport Chrono performance package and Porsche Track Precision App functionality.

While the Turbo S will arrive later in the 2020, the 992-series Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S are available now. New 911 GT2 RS and GT3 RS will arrive in 2021, along with the GTS models.

Rivals for the Porsche 911 include the Mercedes-AMG GT, Audi R8, Aston Martin Vantage, Nissan GT-R and Honda NSX.

How much does the 2020 Porsche 911 cost?

Coupe
3.0 Carrera – $229,500
3.0 Carrera 4 – $245,600
3.0 Carrera S – $264,600
3.0 Carrera 4S – $280,700
3.8 Turbo S – $473,900

Cabriolet
3.0 Carrera – $251,000
3.0 Carrera 4 – $267,100
3.0 Carrera S – $286,100
3.0 Carrera 4S – $302,200
3.8 Turbo S – $494,900
4.0 Speedster – $604,800

* Prices listed are for automatic transmissions and exclude on-road costs