km : Automotive News

Tradition drives some pretty ridiculous decisions over at Porsche. For a few generations now, every model of 911, save the GT2 and GT3, have come in regular and "S" versions. The Turbo hasn't been the exception. Yet now, Porsche's engineers have tweaked the normal Turbo to a stunning 500 hp from a flat six. Is there really room for more? Apparently there is, because again, a Turbo S model has debuted for the facelifted range of 997 cars. Its two variable vane turbochargers help crank out a healthy 530 hp--30 more than the base Turbo--and 516 lb-ft of torque. The power bump comes with no change at all in fuel economy.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Turbo S comes only with PDK, Porsche's automated dual-clutch transmission. That's right, no manual transmission for the wildest of Porsche Turbos. All-wheel drive is, of course, part of the equation, and the Turbo S uses a mechanical rear limited-slip differential with torque vectoring technology. Dynamic engine mounts push the car's handling performance even further toward the limits of what's possible in a rear-engine sports car. The race from 0-60 mph comes in just 3.3 seconds, while the run to 124 mph (200 km/h) takes just 10.8 seconds.Top speed is 195 mph, and when this jet comes in for a landing, standard ceramic composite brakes do the grabbing.



Porsche hasn't announced pricing for the US market yet, but the car will start at 173,241 Euros for the coupe and 184,546 Euros for the cabriolet when sales start in Germany in May of this year.Those prices include a 19 percent value added tax (145,400 Euros and 154,900 Euros without VAT, respectively.) Exclusive colors will be offered for the Turbo S interior, and many features like adaptive sport seats and 19-inch RS Spyder wheels will be standard.

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