The Final Countdown for the 992 Turbo Begins

As is the way with 911 unveilings, we are first introduced to the base Carrera models-i.e the 911 Carrera, 911 Carrera S, and their all wheel drive counterparts. Porsche lets the hype build for these models for about a year and then proceeds to unveil higher end models like the 911 Turbo and the 911 GT3. Later comes the more hardcore 911 GT3RS and then the 911 GT2/RS model. This is how it’s been for quite some time now and if there’s one thing Porsche doesn’t do well with, it’s change, so I figure that they’ll follow suit with the 992 generation as well.

Well, it’s almost been a year since the 992 Carrera models were revealed, meaning the mighty 911 Turbo is on the horizon. A few months ago, a leaked image of the new 992 Turbo surfaced on the internet giving us a mere glimpse of Porsche’s new supercar. More recently, a shockingly accurate rendering surfaced as well confirming everything we believed about the new Turbo. As with it’s predecessors, the 992 Turbo sports a familiar widebody shape, fixed rear wing, massive side intakes, and all those little cosmetic tweaks you see with the 911 Turbo. It’s looking to be a very beautiful car.

Past features like rear wheel steering will continue with this new generation along with updated suspension tuning, and a brand new, faster shifting 8 speed PDK gearbox. And just to put it out there, Porsche’s new 8 speed PDK does have a hole for an electric motor so maybe the new 911 Turbo range will have a hybrid range flagship like the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid. Unfortunately, a manual will likely not be offered but one can dream.

Although no official details have been revealed about the new engine, we can expect a familiar twin turbo flat 6, with a displacement of 3.8 liters powering all 4 wheels. As for how much power this new engine will make, your guess is as good as mine. Usually, Porsche only ups power by about 20 hp compared to the outgoing models. If this is true, that would send the new 992 Turbo S into the 600 hp club, but if you ask me, this isn’t what’s going to happen…let me explain.

Back in 2004, the 996 Porsche 911 Turbo produced an astonishing 450 hp with the X50 package, placing it on par with other supercars like the Ferrari 360 (400 hp) and the Lamborghini Gallardo (500 hp). In 2007, the 480 hp 997.1 911 Turbo was still able to compete with its mid engined rivals, the Ferrari F430 (490 hp) and the Lamborghini Gallardo (520 hp), but it was starting to lose the edge that it had back with the 996 generation. In 2012, this was more noticeable with the new 530 hp 911 Turbo S since its rivals now made 570 hp (Ferrari 458) and 560 hp (Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4); the mighty Turbo was starting to fall behind the pack. Fast forward to today and the range topping 580 hp 911 Turbo S is 30 hp short of the Lamborghini Huracan, 80 hp short of the Ferrari 488, and 130 hp short of the McLaren 720S!

The 911 Turbo has become a clumsy GT car rather than a daily drivable supercar killer. So unless Porsche wants the 911 Turbo to take on this role as a comfy GT, Porsche needs to step up their power outputs because the new Ferrari F8 Tributo now makes 710 hp like the McLaren 720S. But then again, there is the possibility, and I hope this is the case, that Porsche is tuning down the 911 Turbo to make room for a new supercar fighter sporting a 911 GT2 badge.

Despite me being a little harsh on the 911 Turbo, it’s still a fantastic car to drive and has more power than you’d ever need. Whatever happens with the new 992, I’m sure it will be the same but will it be able to keep up with the next generation of supercars? Only time will tell for Porsche’s signature flagship.