Porsche unveils facelifted 2010 911 Turbo packing 500 horsepower
by Jonny Lieberman on Aug 7th 2009 at 3:51AM 
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo - Click above for a high-res image gallery
As we've discussed, the current Porsche Turbo is much too slow. Rather than let the aftermarket have all the glory, Porsche has decided to up the Turbo's performance for 2010. But not just in terms of power. Egged on no doubt by the pesky Nissan GT-R, Porsche is performing a complete character change for their newest Turbo, including less weight, RWD bias and a more sporting character.
The big news is of course the engine. Goodbye 3.6-liter six, it's been fun. Hello 3.8-liter directed injected flat-six from the Carrera S. Coupled to two variable-vane turbos, power is now 500 hp. And because it's direct injected, mileage increases from 22.1 mpg to 24.1 mpg with the manual. Should you opt for Porsche's 7-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (dual-clutch) gearbox, mileage improves from the old Tiptronic's 20.8 mpg to a very impressive 24.8 mpg. Also gone (kinda) are the silly dual-action faux-paddle shifters. Replacing them are F1 style right-is-up, left-is-down wheel-mounted paddles -- a welcome improvement, though we'd still prefer column-mounted shifters like on Ferraris and Godzilla. And you can still opt for the inferior dual-action buttons if you like.
The fun continues with a reprogrammed Porsche Traction Management system that distributes torque between the front and rear differentials via an electric multi-plate clutch. Still not convinced? The PSM (Porsche Stability Management) has been re-calibrated to provide more thrills. New RS Spyder rims are also available to decrease unsprung weight. In a word, yes please.
Pricing is listed for the coupe and cabriolet at $132,800 and $143,800 respectively, with an on-sale date of November 2009 in Germany and January 2010 here in the United States. We'll get a first glimpse of the new Turbo this September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Until then, read the full press release after the jump.
Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo
[Source: Porsche]
PRESS RELEASE:
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting a new top model at the pinnacle of its broad range of production sports cars: The new Porsche 911 Turbo combines far-reaching innovations in technology with fine tuning and supreme refinement in design. All key features of this high-performance sports car have been significantly improved, the new 911 Turbo combining a substantial improvement in fuel efficiency and lower weight with more power, even higher speed, and enhanced driving dynamics.
Particularly in terms of fuel economy and dynamic performance, the new top-of-the-range 911 from Zuffenhausen now stands out even more than before from its competitors in the market. Porsche's new top model will be presented to the public for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show from 17 - 27 September.
The heart and highlight of the seventh generation of the Turbo is the new power unit displacing 3.8 litres and delivering maximum output of 500 bhp (368 kW). The first entirely new engine in the 35-year-history of the Turbo comes with features such as Direct Fuel Injection and Porsche's exclusive turbocharger with variable turbine geometry on a gasoline power unit. And as an option, the new six-cylinder may be combined for the first time with Porsche's seven-speed PDK Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (Double-Clutch Gearbox).
Models equipped with PDK are also available with a new, optional three-spoke steering wheel with gearshift paddles as an alternative to the standard steering wheel with its proven shift buttons. Fitted firmly on the steering wheel, the right paddle is for shifting up, the left paddle for shifting down. In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo both the gearshift paddle and the PDK steering wheel with its shift buttons come with integrated displays for Launch Control and the Sport/Sport Plus mode, which are however designed differently on the two steering wheels.
The combination of PDK, Direct Fuel Injection and turbocharging ensures an unprecedented standard of efficiency, agility, responsiveness and performance, the Porsche 911 Turbo reducing CO2 emissions versus its predecessor by almost 18 per cent and therefore ranking unique in its segment also in this respect. Depending on the configuration of the car, the new top model requires just 11.4 - 11.7 ltr/100 km (equal to 24.8 - 24.1 mpg imp) under the EU5 standard. And unlike most other cars in its segment, the new Turbo remains even further below the crucial level of fuel consumption for gas guzzler tax in the USA, the special tax imposed on cars with substantial fuel consumption. All this despite acceleration to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed, in turn, is 312 km/h or 194 mph.
The Turbo driver of the future will also enjoy a further improvement in driving dynamics, detailed enhancement of PTM fully controlled all-wheel drive and PSM Porsche Stability Management being further supported by new PTV Porsche Torque Vectoring available as an option. This makes the car even more agile and precise in its steering for an even higher level of driving pleasure.
Sales of the new Porsche 911 Turbo in both Coupé and Cabriolet guise are starting in Germany on 21 November 2009. The Euro base price without value-added tax and national specifications is Euro 122,400.- for the Coupé and Euro 131,800.- for the Cabriolet. The gross retail price in Germany, therefore, is Euro 145,871.- for the Coupé and Euro 157,057.- for the Cabriolet, in each case including 19% value-added tax and national specifications.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
AkaiWRX 4:00AM (8/07/2009)
News flash 2089...Porsche unveils new 911 with flux capacitor...Guess what folks...it will still look like this car here! MUWAHHAHHAHAHAHHAHA!
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Affalterbach 4:07AM (8/07/2009)
And unlike other cars, this one will actually look like a car in 2089.
I hope those cool lines stay on the 911 and don't go anywhere else, and that includes the rest of the Porsche range.
nzo 4:30AM (8/07/2009)
Keepin it classy with the oldschool style. Lookin good!
Geeky1 4:35AM (8/07/2009)
And it'll still be as sexy 80 years from now as it was 45 years ago.
Certain designs are timeless; the 300SL "Gullwing", W111 and W126 chassis Mercedes (amongst others), the C2 and early C3 'Vettes, the 1st gen Camaro, the '67 Cadillac Eldorado, the '66 Olds Toronado, the '63-64 Buick Rivera, the Lamborghini Muira, the E-Type and SI/II/III XJ Jaguars, most Aston Martins, the 240Z and the 2000GT, to name just a few. And the 911. The day a 911 ceases to look like a 911 will be a sad day indeed.
Acefighter 7:35AM (8/07/2009)
This car has looked the same for so long, it no longer has any originality to it, or any personality. "Oh, look, it's another Porsche." "Big deal."
TKE 8:22AM (8/07/2009)
It's not that the car is boring so much as the debut of a 500-horsepower twin-turbocharged German sports car should be thrilling. But it's another variation on an old theme. Porsche ain't dying or anything, and the 911 remains incredible. But man, who cares. Whoopeeeee. Hooray for Porsche, they found more power and inserted the PDK. (http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.com/2009/08/porsche-911-turbo-for-sale-specs-price.html) The GT3 is more exciting. The GT2 is faster. The Carrera S is plenty incredible for less money.
Heimbachae 9:42AM (8/07/2009)
listen, you want a car that's looked the same FOREVER go look at a wrangler. porsche has been ahead of the curve for years and will continue to be.
Tool 6:47PM (8/07/2009)
I recently test drove a 911 Turbo back-to-back with a C4S.
I was REALLY disappointed with the Turbo. I've driven (and owned) many turbo-charged vehicles. The 911 had no punch off the ground, which was amazing.
I decided to wait to see when/if the Turbo would come out with a PDK. But with this news, I am excited to see if this is going to be my next car.
Giel 4:04AM (8/07/2009)
Wow! What a change in the front! But that wasn't needed anyway, because it was already looking awesome. Only thing i miss are the wheels, why porsche, why?
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comctrl6 4:06AM (8/07/2009)
The 911 Turbo is probably the best combination of comfort and sporty you can get in a Porsche, and this one has some impressive figures to back that up. Let's see if it can hold its own against the Godzilla in a lap of the 'ring.
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Kaveh 4:12AM (8/07/2009)
Looks good with the BBS Wheels, Let the tuners at the 3.8L.
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Sean Morris 4:33AM (8/07/2009)
They changed the front ?
http://www.2009gtr.com
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Venom 5:13AM (8/07/2009)
Ahh, they gave the Beetle more power.
I am sorry at the current price for the 911 Turbo, the V10 Audi R8 seems like a no brainer.
Same price, better looking, more power, more exclusive.
And if you buy the V8 R8 you are really getting a bargain.
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shanali05 5:38AM (8/07/2009)
You can keep your R8, I'd rather stick with the 911
Venom 5:45AM (8/07/2009)
Shanali05,
500 horsepower, engine in the rear, fun to drive and fun to die in.
In addition, you spend $150,000 for a Turbo that looks like a Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4s, Carrera, GT3 etc, etc even a lot like a Boxster and a Cayman. in addition you get the pleasure of having Porsche bend you over for $20,000 plus for options.
The R8 comes loaded and looks like well... and R8.
dan.da.trk 6:21AM (8/07/2009)
and yet the V10 R8 is slower in every other regard...... what do you think is more fulfilling, a car that is more flashy or a car that has better performance in all areas? style over substance person are we? and the rear engine design, if its so flawed then why is it still kicking the ass of front mid mount and rear mid mount offerings? actually i think that Ferry Porsche knew a lot more about car design than you ever will so i think i would trust a legend than some random in the interwebz....... and the current designing of the cars is left the the mans son which again is a legend just like his dad
and if you go down the price route, why not get a GTR or a ZR1? they are probably faster than both those cars and half the price and especially the GTR which is the best bang for your buck car..
fmwso 7:06AM (8/07/2009)
"actually i think that Ferry Porsche knew a lot more about car design than you ever will so i think i would trust a legend than some random in the interwebz......."
I don't understand why all the hate against Venom. Yes, the V10 R8 might be slower, but compared to the 911 Turbo, it comes with lots of options that are standard compared to the 911 Turbo. A 911 Turbo with the same options would probably cost a lot more. Dan.da.trk. I think that what Venom meant about the price is that both are about the same price so the V10 R8 is a better pick. Plus, the 911 Turbo with mods will never look as mean as this:
http://autostrada.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/r8gt3_front.jpg
Anyways, that's just my 2 cents.
dan.da.trk 7:19AM (8/07/2009)
@fmwso
i don't know if you know this but Audi's options list is just as long as Porsche's.... and they come with about the same level of kit. and for me the Porsche styling has always been just right, nothing too flash but just enough of a statement that every time you see that silhouette you know what type of car that is.
and that venom guy was having a go at the rear engine layout so i thought that i would set him straight. he just seemed to know nothing about any of the advantages that the layout presents.
fmwso 7:31AM (8/07/2009)
@ dan.da.trk:
I do know about Porsche's options. I don't know but I think some might go for the classy look of a 911 while others would go for an aggressive look of a R8. Anyways, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.
RSVDon 10:53AM (8/07/2009)
@ dan.da.trk
Quote - dan.da.trk
"and that venom guy was having a go at the rear engine layout so i thought that i would set him straight. he just seemed to know nothing about any of the advantages that the layout presents."
Buahahahahahahahahaha! You can't be serious! About the only advantage of the rear engine layout is having the engine's weight centerline with the wheels for traction. Other than that it's a completey inferior design that has to fight physics harder than any other engine layout so that it can go around a track.
I like Porsche, don't get me wrong, but there are barely any advantages to having a rear engine layout.
BTW, ZR1 is the best bang for your buck. Come back to me when the GTR at least offers carbon ceramic rotors...