More grunt, more kit for 911 Turbos

The 2016 Detroit motor will see the debut of 2016 Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S coupe and cabriolet models, highlighted by engine tweaks lifting power outputs by 15kW and lowering fuel consumption by 0.6L/100km along with extensive dynamic tech upgrades and styling revisions.

The new models will come with significant $10,000-plus price jumps reaching as high as $18,800 for the Turbo coupe, offset to a degree by technical upgrades and the addition of new equipment.

Now with 397kW on hand, the 911 Turbo is outshadowed only by the Turbo S model that produces a hulking 427kW from its 3.8-litre twin-turbo boxer engine. The extra power is achieved in both cases via modified inlet ports, new injector nozzles and a higher fuel pressure. In addition, the Turbo S uses larger, variable-geometry turbos to achieve its power gains.

Further changes have been made to the electronic management of the engine and gearshift, the latter benefitting from revised gear-change mapping.

Also new is a dynamic boost function that maintains charge pressure during load changes to deliver virtually delay-free responses when the accelerator pedal is released, then depressed, particularly when Sport and Sport Plus models are activated.

Porsche quotes a dizzying zero to 100km/h acceleration of 2.9 seconds for the Turbo S Coupe and 3.0 seconds for the Turbo, with respective top speeds of 330km/h and 320km/h. Fuel consumption for both Turbo and Turbo S is now quoted at 9.1L/100km for coupe and 9.3L/100km for cabriolet versions.

CO2 emissions range from 212g/km for coupe versions to 216g/km for cabriolets.

Porsche’s standard-equipment Sport Chrono package also gets a new Sport Response button that sets the car up for optimal engine and gearbox response for up to 20 seconds, while the Porsche Stability management system incorporates a new PSM Sport function that unleashes a “super sporty” mode operating independently of the selected driving program and bringing a more-aggressive PSM intervention threshold.

A new GT sport steering wheel, adopted from the 918 Spyder, contains a rotary-dial mode switch controlling selection of Normal, Sport, Sport Plus or Individual modes – the latter of which allows personal driver configuration.
The cream of the crop Turbo S comes with a full grab-bag of dynamic control functions including standard PASM, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll compensation and

Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), while the options include radar-based lane change assist, plus a lift system for the front axle that can be used to increase low-speed ground clearance by 40mm at the front spoiler lip.

Visually, the changes are subtle: The front end gets new side “airblades” and LED daytime running light strips, while the back end has redesigned  dual tailpipes and a new, three-art rear lid grill with a separate cover tor optimise engine air induction. The tail lights are different too, similar in design to Carrera models, while the door handles no longer have “shell” inserts,  also mimicking Carrera models.

There are new wheels too: seven-spoke 20-inchers on the Turbo S and, for the Turbo, half-inch wider 20-inch alloys (9Jx20 at the front and 11.5Jx20 at the rear), that now match the Turbo S.

Inside, there’s Porsche’s latest infotainment system including a multi-touch, glass-surface monitor with new connectivity functions available via the standard Connect Plus module and Apple CarPlay. Porsche says mobile phones can be connected more easily too.

The revised 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S will go on sale in Australia in May 2016.

Porsche 911 Turbo pricing (pre ORCs):
911 Turbo - $384,900
911 Turbo Cabriolet  -  $406,400
911 Turbo S - $456,500
911 Turbo S Cabriolet - $478,000