Skip advert
Advertisement

New Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S debut in Detroit

Has the 911 Turbo lost its status in the new all-turbo Porsche 911 range? Not a chance, the 2016 Turbo and Turbo S are quicker than ever

The Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S have made their debuts at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show, topping an all-turbo (for the time being) 911 range with outputs of 533bhp and 572bhp respectively.

Last year we discovered the entire Porsche 911 range would switch over to turbo power. The changes kicked off on the standard Carrera and Carrera S, and will follow with the Carrera 4 and Targa shortly. Then Porsche revealed the entirely unsurprising news that the 911 Turbo and Turbo S would keep their powerful forced-induction engines, while benefiting from a similar mid-life nip and tuck. We've had our first chance to take a look at the cars in the metal in Detroit.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The facelifted 911 Turbo gets a handful of changes, including a 20bhp power hike for the 3.8-litre flat six. That means the Turbo model now boasts 533bhp and the S gets 572bhp. Both versions have a new dynamic boost function, allowing drivers to get back on the power more quickly after lifting off.

Extra power means extra performance, with the new models being two-tenths-of-a-second faster from 0-62mph than the outgoing cars. The Turbo now completes the benchmark sprint in three seconds flat, while the S shaves this to 2.9 seconds. Top speed has been improved as well, to 199mph and 205mph respectively.

There are a few styling updates to keep the range looking fresh, with LED headlights and reshaped vents being the main changes at the front, while at the rear there are new exhaust pipes, a new engine cover and reworked tail-lights. New 20-inch wheels are the biggest change when looking at the car in profile, with the Turbo model getting the same size wheels as the pricier S.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Inside, the most obvious change for the driver will be the new steering wheel, derived from the one in the 918 Spyder hypercar. It comes as standard with a Mode Switch, which lets you select from Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. These change the suspension, gearbox and exhaust settings – with the driver even able to mix and match different features. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The cabin also features sports seats, a seven-inch touchscreen sat-nav and infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, Bose speakers and leather. Online navigation is standard, with real-time traffic updates and satellite images displayed on the glass screen. Drivers can also ‘write’ sat-nav destinations on to the touchscreen with their fingers, plus smartphones can be connected using a cable, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

All Turbo models come with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and the Sport Chrono Package as standard. A new button on the centre console activates PSM Sport Mode, which alters the system’s level of interference. It’s something that will appeal to owners who intend to use their Turbo on a track, allowing drivers to get closer to the car’s limits without disengaging the electronics completely.

New options include a radar-based lane-change assist feature and a lift system that raises the car by 40mm at low speeds. Fuel economy is improved in the new models, too, with the coupés claiming 31mpg and the Cabriolets 30mpg. The slight improvement on both comes as a result of small changes to the engine computer and new gear mappings.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo S will hit the road at the end of next month, after debuting at the Detroit Motor Show. Prices range from £126,925 for the Turbo coupe to £154,614 for the top-spec 911 Turbo S Cabriolet.

Now check-out our round-up of the best super cars on sale...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Hardcore Porsche 911 GT2 RS spied with wild aero and track-ready looks
Porsche 911 GT2 RS - front 3/4

Hardcore Porsche 911 GT2 RS spied with wild aero and track-ready looks

If you can believe it, Porsche’s GT2 RS will be even more extreme than the GT3 RS…
News
14 May 2025
Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records
Mercedes AMG-One at Nurburgring

Fastest Nurburgring lap times 2025: quickest cars and lap records

Check out the top 10 fastest production cars around the Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany
Best cars & vans
13 May 2025
Singer takes the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe back to the 80s
Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Reimagined by Singer - front

Singer takes the Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe back to the 80s

Restomod masters Singer has gone back to basics with its new 100-unit 911 Carrera Coupe
News
2 May 2025
Best four-seat sports cars to buy 2025
Best four-seat sports cars - header

Best four-seat sports cars to buy 2025

If you want a sports car but need the practicality of four seats, there are some great four-seat sports car options out there right now
Best cars & vans
29 Apr 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025
Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy
Best electric cars header

Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy

Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Here are the EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why…
Best cars & vans
14 May 2025