New 911 Turbo S: Zero to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds

Porsche’s new-generation 911 Turbo S supercar will have the ability to sprint to 100km/h in an eye-watering 3.1 seconds when it goes on sale in Australia late this year or early next.

The range-topping 911 Turbo S was revealed alongside the all-new 991-series 911 Turbo, which will arrive here at the same time but ‘only’ sprints to Australia’s national highway speed limit in 3.2 seconds with optional launch control.

That makes it a full half-second quicker to 100km/h than its predecessor, one-tenth quicker than the previous Turbo S – which can max out at 318km/h -- and one of the quickest production cars on the planet.

Key to the extra performance is the 991-series 911’s lighter bodyshell and a fresh twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat six, which now delivers 383kWof power (and a BMW M5-matching 412kW in Turbo S trim) and transmits its induction note to the cabin via a speaker.

Porsche says it continues to be the only car-maker to produce a twin-turbo petrol engine with variable turbo technology, and the direct-injection Turbo engine -- matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission -- is now also fitted with a fuel-saving idle-stop system.

Despite its epic performance, the result is a 16 per cent reduction in NEDC fuel consumption to just 9.7L/100km for both models – thanks in part to a new thermal management system.

Powering all four wheels via a new all-wheel drive system based on the latest 911 Carrera4’s, Porsche says the new 911 Turbo S can lap the North Loop of the Nürburgring in “well under” 7:30 minutes – on standard production tyres.

Launched in the 50th anniversary year of the 911, the Turbo twins bring a host of other new technologies, including active rear axle steering and adaptive aerodynamics.

Both 911 flag-bearers ride on the 991’s 100mm-longer wheelbase and larger 20-inch alloy wheels (two-tone forged and, for the Turbo S, a central wheel hub lock), while a host of other new performance-enhancing features are optional in the Turbo and standard in the S.

They include Porsche’s PDCC active anti-roll system, PCCB ceramic brakes and Sport Chrono Package Plus including launch control and dynamic engine mounts.

Exclusive to the Turbo S are new full-LED headlights featuring four-point daytime running lights and dynamic, camera-based main beam control, which will be optional on the Turbo.

All this is wrapped in a new body that is 28mm wider than even the new wide-body Carrera4 models, with rear wheel-arches that now protrude about the width of a hand, says Porsche.

Inside, there’s a redesigned cabin with a black/carrera red colour combination and sport seats plus with 18-way adjustment and memory for the Turbo S, while a Burmester sound system can be had instead of the standard Bode unit.

In Europe, other new options across the range include automatic radar cruise control, camera-based road sign recognition and speed limit recognition.

Porsche’s new rear-wheel steering system consists of two electro-mechanical actuators instead of conventional control arms either side of the rear axle, via which the steering angle of the rear wheels can be varied by up to 2.8 degrees.

At speeds of up to 50km/h, when the front wheels are turned the system steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction, corresponding to a virtual shortening of the wheelbase by 250mm and giving the 911 Turbo “unrivalled performance in bends”.

At speeds above 80km/h, the system steers the rear wheels parallel to the turned front wheels, which is equivalent to a virtual lengthening of the wheelbase by some 500mm.

Porsche says that increases stability, especially at high speeds, and that “the steering input by the driver leads to significantly faster build-up of lateral force at the rear axle, which initiates the change in direction more spontaneous and harmoniously”.

Rounding out the upgrades for the latest Turbo is the 911’s first active aero system, comprising a retractable three-stage front spoiler and three-position rear wing.

In ‘performance position’ all segments of the front and rear spoilers are fully extended to generate maximum downforce, which Porsche says lowers the car’s Nurburgring lap time by two seconds alone.

Porsche is yet to announce pricing for its top-shelf 911s, but given 911 prices will reduce by between $5500 and $36,300 from June 1, both models will be cheaper than before ($363,700 for the MY12 Turbo and $423,300 for the MY12 Turbo S).