Porsche 911 Turbo S vs rivals: Power struggle

With a few shopping days left to go before Christmas, there’s still time to add something special to your festive wish list.

To give you a few ideas, we’ve gathered three of the most exciting and desirable supercars currently on sale. But which one would you like to find in your Christmas stocking?

• Porsche 911 review

• Audi R8 review

• Nissan GT-R review

The 911 Turbo has been setting high-performance benchmarks since 1974, and the latest car promises to be the fastest ever – particularly this range-topping S version.

Based on the 991 generation 911, the newcomer features active aerodynamics, hi-tech suspension and four-wheel drive, while its twin-turboflat-six engine boasts an incredible 700Nm of torque.

However, if you’re after a four-wheel-drive supercar with more than 500bhp, the 911 isn’t the only option. Audi’s R8 has evolved and improved, and the new V10 plus has the power to rival the Porsche.

The 911 Turbo’s biggest nemesis for the past few years, though, has been the Nissan GT-R. It’s good value, too, offering the ultimate in performance per pound, and this hi-tech coupé promises scintillating driving thrills.

Head-to-head

Layout

Variety is the spice of life with this trio. With mid, rear and front-engined layouts, our contenders couldn’t be more different.

And that’s not all, because the flat-six, V6 and V10 engines all have their unique characters. Plus, the cars are set even further apart by their differences in style, image and heritage. Yet for all this, they’re very closely matched for performance, desirability and driver thrills.

Braking

With its standard ceramic brakes, the 911 stopped from 70mph in only 35.9 metres. Given the performance on tap, that’s just as well. The Nissan also impressed in our braking tests, coming to a halt in 41.8 metres. 

Acceleration

Headline-grabbing acceleration figures count for a lot in this class. We use GPS equipment to measure the acceleration and braking of every car we test, but with this trio there was extra interest in the results.

The Porsche left us open-mouthed by posting a staggering 0-60mph sprint time of 2.8 seconds – that’s the fastest we’ve ever recorded. Helped by launch control, it rocketed off the line with little fuss and consistently returned sub-three-second runs.

Verdict

1st place: Porsche 911 Turbo S

The Turbo S takes the 911 into new realms of performance. With amazing grip, steering feel and agility, it’s more engaging than rivals, and acceleration is staggering. The only things counting against it are the price and the fact the standard 911 is so good. But this is the world’s finest everyday supercar. 

2nd place: Audi R8 V10 Plus

There's still plenty of life left in the R8. With a dual-clutch gearbox and revised styling, it’s better than ever. The V10 plus has a great engine and is packed with character. And while it lacks the Porsche’s razor-sharp edge – and the cabin feels dated – it’s still a very special and desirable sports car.  

3rd place: Nissan GT-R

It's easy to see why the GT-R has so many loyal fans. Nothing else offers the performance for the money, and it’s great to drive on the limit. But, unlike its rivals, there are big refinement compromises and it’s not as enjoyable at low speed. The low-rent cabin and boxy look won’t be to all tastes, either.