Porsche 911 Turbo S launched in Malaysia
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of the original Porsche 911, a model that has grown to become one of the motoring world’s most recognizable performance icons. Launched to replace the 356, the original 911 was a vehicle of considerable endurance, remaining in production for 26 years before being ultimately replaced by the second-generation 964 series in 1989.
The 911 Turbo derivative debuted at the 1974 Frankfurt Motor Show, and it has taken an important place in the 911 model hierarchy ever since. Today, the 911 Turbo S variant makes its Malaysian debut, joining the ever-growing ranks of the latest generation 991 series 911 that currently includes the Carrera, Carrera S, and Carrera 4S.
Powered by a 3.8-litre flat-six with twin variable geometry turbochargers, the new 911 Turbo S is, for the moment, the pinnacle of the 911 range with 560hp and 660Nm on tap. Equipped with auto start/stop and thermal management, the Turbo S is rated to sip fuel at 9.7 l/100km, a 16% reduction over the previous generation model. Vital performance statistics are a mere 3.1 seconds for the century sprint and a top speed of 318kph.
Mated to the engine is Porsche’s 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission, a standard fit for the Turbo S across the globe. The transmission has what Porsche engineers dub as virtual intermediate gears used to be used in instances cruising at low speed when the next higher gear would reduce engine speed too much. In this situation, both clutches of the transmission engage in managed slip allowing the car to cruise at a lower rpm. Porsche claims that because the PDK is a wet clutch transmission, this function does not contribute additional wear.
From the PDK, power goes to all fours via an electro-hydraulically controlled PTM all-wheel drive system which is equipped with a dedicated water cooling system for its transfer case. Porsche claims that the new system not only routes more torque to the front wheels if so needed, but is able to do so with more precise control to the benefit of traction and dynamics.
All turbo models of the 911, including the Turbo S here, come equipped with rear wheel steering. At speeds below 50kph, the rear wheels turn opposite direction to the front wheels up to a maximum of 2.8 degrees to give the effect of a wheelbase ‘shortened’ by 250mm – significantly improving low speed maneuverability around tight corners. Above 80kph, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels to a maximum of 1.5 degrees contributing to greater high speed composure.
For improved stability, the new 911 Turbo S sits on a bigger footprint than before – the axles are spaced 100mm further apart from each other, and both front and rear tracks have been widened by 49mm and 42mm respectively. The widened stance is complemented by sophisticated electronic driving aids such as active torque vectoring (PTV Plus) and adaptive suspension (PDCC).
So how much does it cost? Well, we don’t really know, with local distributors Sime Darby Auto Performance only stating that the ‘base price of the new 911 Turbo S in Malaysia will be announced at a later date’. Currently, the most expensive member of the 911 range, the Carrera 4S, retails at RM970k, whilst the previous 997 generation 911 Turbo S went for RM1.2 million.
