With the reveal of the 911 Turbo S during what would have been the Geneva motor show, Porsche revealed the high-tech flagship for 992-generation 911.
Almost 50 years on from the launch of the first Turbo, the 992 is the fastest, most powerful, and most capable example of the breed yet.
Power in the 911 Turbo S comes from a 3.8-litre turbocharged flat-six engine pumping out 478kW and 800Nm, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Historians will note that’s 281kW and 457Nm more than the original Turbo, a car known for being a bit snappy on boost.
Along with that engine, the Turbo S packs every piece of technology in the Porsche parts bin. Active engine mounts, adaptive suspension, and a fancy active aerodynamics system are all on hand to keep the fastest 992 911 on the road when all 800Nm is deployed in anger.
The bodywork of the Turbo S is always moving. There are continuously-variable flaps for the air intakes keeping the engine cool, while the front spoiler deploys in three different segments depending on the situation.
At low speeds it sits out of the way, making steep driveways less likely to catch the splitter out, before deploying as speeds rise.
Down back, the active rear wing can toggle through Eco, Wet, Speed, Performance, and Performance II modes to match the driver’s intentions. It also functions as an airbrake, something McLaren has been doing since the MP4-12C.
There’s still much more to come for the 992 911, though. Here’s what has been released, and what we’re expecting to roll out over the coming weeks, months, and years.
What’s already been revealed?
The regular 911 Carrera S was the first model revealed. It lobbed at the 2018 Los Angeles motor show, with power from a turbocharged flat-six engine making 331kW and 530Nm.
It’s mated with an eight-speed PDK for now, although a manual option was revealed in November last year.
Following the Carrera S and 4S was a convertible variant, while the base 911 lobbed in June 2019 with 283kW and 450Nm.
The 911 Turbo and Turbo S were unveiled in March 2020. Although they would have been shown off at the Geneva motor show, the cars were instead revealed online.
What’s to come?
First up, the manual. We don’t know exactly when, but the three-pedal Carrera will arrive in Australia later this year.
Where it will be offered hasn’t been confirmed, but wager on both the base Carrera and more expensive S variants getting it as an option – in the USA it’s reserved for only the Carrera S.
The three notable exceptions from the current 911 range are the Targa, the GTS, and GT3 variants.
Not quite a convertible, expect the Targa to be offered with the option of Carrera and Carrera S powertrains, and with a choice of rear- or all-wheel drive.
The previous-generation model debuted an intricate new mechanism for removing the roof panel. Porsche hasn’t confirmed whether it will carry over to the new model, but spy photos have suggested it’s likely.
Check out how it operates in the video below.
A more expensive GTS is likely to follow the Carrera S.
A better-specced, slightly more powerful Carrera, the previous GTS had 22kW and 50Nm more power than the S on which it was based, and featured a raft of chassis upgrades as standard.
Porsche is likely to take a similar approach with the new model.
Finally, the GT3/GT3 RS. Most of the 911 range has gone turbo, but we’re hoping the GT range will maintain the naturally-aspirated engine and its 9000rpm redline.
If the Cayman GT4 is a guide, chances are good.
Fingers also remain crossed the three-pedal GT3 sticks around. It was axed for the 991-generation GT3, before being brought back as part of a mid-life refresh due to rampant demand for the 911 R special edition.
Regardless of what engine is lurking within, the GT3 and RS will be the most track-focused members of the 911 line-up.
Big wheels, big brakes, big wings, and a big diet are all staples of GT cars. Expect the engineers in Weissach to stick with the formula here.
Porsche is yet to confirm the rollout of the wider 911 range, but the metronomic precision with which the brand has unveiled its line-up in the past gives us a few hints.
Expect to see the Targa later this year, while the GT3 and GTS are likely to launch in 2021.
Which 911 variant are you most excited for?
