tommallett

When Porsche finally unveil the new 991 Turbo it will, without doubt, be a technical tour-de-force that moves the goal posts yet again. However, for now the fastest point to point 911 money can buy is the 997 Turbo S, replete with a PDK gearbox and ceramic brake discs as standard. The question is: can it still compete with newer machinery, including the much cheaper Nissan GT-R?

Interior:

A few minor improvements aside, the Turbo S has the same interior architecture as an early 997, which came out in 2004. Fundamentally the Turbo S is still a very nice place to spend a few hours, in general it feels like it has been hewn from granite and the familiar controls operate with precision, as one would wish from the most famous German sports car manufacturer.

However, familiarity covers up some of the failures, to anyone who has not spent much time in current Porsche models the interior of this 911 might not be so deftly navigated. There is a multitude of switchgear to be operated and not all of it is intuitive, a particular failure when much of it is not easy to get at. Nowadays, it is de-rigueur for manufactures to place important buttons within easy reach and for information to be close to, if not in the driver’s eye line, this is not the case with the Turbo S. The Porsche Cockpit Management (PCM) also feels in need of refreshment, a clearer screen and better controls will be high on the list for business users of the new 991.

Like all 911’s the Turbo S has rear seats, which are virtually unusable for anyone still in possession of two legs, on this basis it is preferable to view the rear seats as storage, when viewed in conjunction with the boot there is plenty of space for most people. The driver should also be comfortable, as the seats provide a decent amount of support and reasonable adjustment as does the steering wheel, which is tactile and well sized.

Performance

The Turbo S is the fastest point-to-point 911 currently on sale, so it is easy to enthuse about its outright power. 700 Nm and 530 bhp launch it to 60 mph is 3.0 sec and pushes it on to 198 mph, which should be plenty for most people. The performance is made more accessible by the PDK gearbox, which is fast and intuitive when left in ‘D’.

Despite the impressive statistics it is now evident that Porsche has pushed the 3.6 litre engine to its limit in this guise. The power delivery feels crude when compared to the competition, with lumps of torque being delivered from slightly higher in the rev range than would be ideal.

However, it is difficult to fault the brakes which provide devastating stopping power and easy modulation, even when cold. Porsche has also been busy refining the PDK gearbox, which has a small amount of ‘creep’ built in at manoeuvring speed, when these elements are combined with the prodigious power the Porsche remains a devastating weapon on English ‘A’ and ‘B’ roads.

Ride and Handling:

911’s have always been unique in terms of their handling characteristics, with a light front end and plenty of weight over the wide rear tyres requiring a smooth and patient driving style. Over the years Porsche has refined the chassis and made the performance safer and more accessible for the enthusiastic amateur.

Porsche has refined the four-wheel-drive system for the Turbo S to match the slightly louder exhaust note and it has done a good job. The Turbo S is more neutral than its less powerful sibling and will even provide an element of power oversteer if required.

One area that the 911 triumphs over Nissan’s GT-R is ride quality which surprises in its compliance. There is a standard setting that will be used by most people most of the time which is stiff enough to provide plenty of body control without providing a bone shaking ride, the ‘sport’ setting will be the preserve of those with access to very smooth roads or access to track facilities.

Verdict:

The Turbo S is the fastest accelerating 911 to date, it does many things very well, but it now feels slightly past its sell by date. The interior is in need of a refresh and its power delivery does not hold up to scrutiny when compared to the big Nissan. There is also too much road noise if one is being ultra-critical.

That said, the Turbo S is still supremely effective and the refinement of its key characteristics is quite evident. It is a very good car, but it feels like the final edition of an old model, rather than the arrival of the next game-changer.