991 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S review (2012-2019) – performance and 0-60
The Porsche 911 Turbo still leads the way as a usable supercar
The headline figures are as follows: 0-62 mph is delt with in 3.0 seconds dead in the Turbo and 2.9 seconds in the Turbo S. Cabriolet models each add 0.1 of a second to each respective time, but the complexity here is that Porsche is famously conservative with its performance figures.
We have seen times as low as 2.6 seconds in the Turbo S if the conditions are right, so the question is how? Porsche’s quoted performance figures from the engine are impressive, but don't explain why the Turbo consistently out perform rivals against the stopwatch.
Well firstly, the inherent traction afforded by the 911’s rear-engined layout means that the Porsche already has fantastic traction off the line. Next up is the all-wheel drive system, which constantly varies torque between the front and rear axles depending on how much grip each of the tyres has to give, meanwhile the engine's flat and broad torque curve alleviates turbo lag off the line. The rest is down to the PDK gearbox and launch control function which help make every launch consistently fast by relaxing the traction control system and softening the rear suspension to maximise traction.
But the numbers hardly tell the whole story, as the 911 Turbo’s un-impeachable torque spread and relatively lithe kerb weight make it feel so much faster on the road than its power figures suggest. In-gear acceleration is just as impressive as those 0-62 numbers, with the Turbo S sprinting from 50-75mph in just 1.8 seconds.
Top speed is identical in coupe and cabriolet versions, with the Turbo reaching 198mph, while the Turbo S’ extra power right at the top of the rev range helps it hit an impressive 205mph.
