Porsche 911 Turbo

With a heritage that stretches back more than 40 years, the 911 shape is instantly familiar. But the top-spec car isn’t as discreet as lesser models, thanks to its wide body, gaping air intakes ahead of the rear wheels and Turbo badge.

Park it alongside the jaw-dropping R8, though, and the Porsche looks much less dramatic. Without the concept car lines of the Audi, the 911 doesn’t turn as many heads – which will appeal to some buyers.

It’s a similar story inside. While the cabin isn’t as groundbreaking or glitzy as its rival’s, it’s beautifully built and sensibly laid out. A near-perfect driving position, combined with the classic triple-pod instrument binnacle, makes it a comfortable and reassuring place in which to spend time.

Updates to the styling and interior are subtle, but under the skin, the 911 has benefited from a serious transformation. The 3.8-litre powerplant is the first entirely new engine in the Turbo’s 35-year history.

It features direct-injection technology and twin turbos with variable turbine geometry, and while you don’t get to enjoy the kind of gorgeous soundtrack emitted by the V10 Audi, the unique flat-six still has plenty of character.

More importantly, it serves up some impressive figures – 500bhp and, with the optional Sport Chrono overboost (see Head-to-Head, Page 40), a massive 700Nm of torque. Incredibly, these statistics still don’t prepare you for the assault on the senses that the 911 Turbo provides. Put simply, it’s one of the fastest road cars we have ever tested. The turbo spools up from only 2,000rpm, and the resulting wave of power is enough to pin you to the seat in almost any gear.

Moving up through the box at the track, the Porsche covered 30 to 70mph in a staggering 2.7 seconds. Indeed, it was quicker than the R8 in all our in-gear assessments. And even though the tarmac at our test facility was soaking wet, the launch control system helped the Turbo record a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds –
the fastest we’ve ever registered.

As we’ve come to expect from Porsche, the chassis matches the performance. Four-wheel drive and the company’s new Torque Vectoring technology mean you can feel the power shifting between and across the axles to deliver superb traction. And flawless body control makes for amazing cornering speeds. Turn the wheel, and the 911 responds instantly, and with the stability system switched off, you can alter the balance of the car through bends using the throttle. However, it demands concentration and quick reactions.

The £271 optional sports steering wheel is essential, as it features conventional shift paddles in place of the confusing buttons that come as standard. Yet while the shifts themselves are faster and smoother than those in the R8, it kicks down too readily – frustrating given the torque on offer. Amazingly strong brakes, incredible stability at speed and a surprisingly smooth ride ensure the new Turbo is the ultimate blend of race car dynamics, supercar performance and everyday usability.

In detail:

* Price: £116,964

* Power: 500bhp

* 0-60mph: 3.2s

* Top speed: 194mph