Porsche 997 911 Turbo Facelift Revealed

Porsche 997 911 Turbo Facelift

New 3.8 liter, 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with direct-injection comes with 500 bhp

By Alex Ricciuti
August 7, 2009 11:55 AM
Filed Under: Facelifts, German, Porsche

The new Porsche 911 Turbo is here.

Or, at least, the press release for the upcoming 911 Turbo is out to tell us what's in store for the next version of Porsche's top performing model. The new 911 Turbo itself will premiere at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Porsche claims to have upgrade most key features of the car, not the least of which is the new 3.8 liter, six-banger powerplant with direct-injection and Porsche's proprietary turbocharger with "variable turbine geometry". Now coupled with Porsche's 7-speed double-clutch PDK transmission (optional), the 911 Turbo sports significant improvements in performance and fuel economy. The engine's final horsepower tally comes in at 500 bhp (368 kW).

What are those performance numbers? 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 312 km/h or 194 mph.

Fuel economy: 11.4 liters/ 100 km.

Do a quick ' for and against' calculus and that fuel efficiency number is satisfying given the performance to be had here.

Models equipped with the PDK will also be available with a 3-spoke steering wheel with gearshift paddles, instead of the standard wheel with shift buttons.

The luxury sportscar-maker has also improved handling and agility with tweaks to the all-wheel drive and Porsche Stability Management systems. A new PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) is also available as an option.

The new Porsche 911 Turbo, in both coupe and cabriolet variants, goes on sale in Germany on November 21st. Prices in Germany for both are 145,871 and 157,057 euros (for the coupe and cabrio), respectively.

Source: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

Press Release (Click to expand)

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.

Tags: 911 Turbo, PDK

Comments

Bristol411S3
August 7, 2009 11:59 AM
Steering wheel paddles! At last! Makes much more sense for tthe PDK. I assume that those opting for Spastronic will still be stuck with rocker switches though.

tom43
August 7, 2009 12:18 PM
The king is back... Some further information: 911 Turbo S will arrive in March 2010. 530 hp.


Edited by user on August 7, 2009 at 12:21 PM
AG4
August 7, 2009 12:57 PM
That would be like having a heavier AWD GT2.

scratchy996
August 7, 2009 2:42 PM
a new Turbo S will be cool, where did you get that info from , tom43 ?

dbehmoaras
August 7, 2009 12:34 PM
Very subtle visual changes, but 20bhp increase. 500 is a really big number. Good job Porsche.

scratchy996
August 7, 2009 2:41 PM
i'm curios about the torque. and the GT2 with direct injection

MTC
August 7, 2009 12:42 PM
I now can say the 911 Turbo is a(potential) "GTR BEATER!!!"

then some fanboy will say Porsche will never beat it, blah blah blah.

Hardboy997
August 7, 2009 12:49 PM
997 Turbo, ooooh yeahh!!

James2911
August 7, 2009 12:54 PM
Makes the exact same power as the 4.8L twin-turbo V8 in the Cayenne/Panamera Turbo (S), from two cylinders and a litre less. Go figure...

alexander
August 7, 2009 12:57 PM
Very nice! I love how Porsche keeps on increasing performance yet lowering emissions!

chris25
August 7, 2009 1:20 PM
If porsche could make this 997 turbo beautiful, why couldn't do the panamera & make it ugly. Anyways, the turbo cabrio wheels looks superb & so is the car.

tom43
August 7, 2009 1:50 PM
One further information: the new engine is not just an update. According to the german Porsche website this is the first overall redesign of the turbo-engine in the 35-year history of this car!

scratchy996
August 7, 2009 2:43 PM
yes, all direct injection engines are new, the 3.8l GT3 engine is the last of the old school Porsche engines.

hypersonic
August 7, 2009 2:07 PM
Spectacular. The cabrio is particularly beautiful.

theoldman
August 7, 2009 2:42 PM
Nice!!!!!!

looking good

Prince_Ash
August 7, 2009 3:08 PM
I dont notice any visual changes at all.

N20_Purge
August 7, 2009 3:17 PM
Very cool, those new wheels are fab! Now I can't tell which one I like more, the GT-R or this!

somchai
August 7, 2009 4:41 PM
3.8 L DFI / 500 hp/ PDK/ PTM

awesome

isaacu
August 7, 2009 6:11 PM
The Porsche 997 911 Turbo.

Phew! At last!!

Grey hairs were almost beginning to appear!!!

isaacu

jslcarfan
August 7, 2009 7:23 PM
FANTASTIC!!!! and i wouldn't be surprised if the true performance numbers are faster then claimed just as they always are with the 911

911fnatic
August 7, 2009 7:34 PM
Nice! Liking the Coupe's BBS-style wheels.

harshreality
August 7, 2009 7:58 PM
No wonder Porsche is having financial troubles.. it looks like the SAME car that theyve had over the last 25 years. Porsche needs to realize that the new customer base isnt the "old school" purist, but a younger generation that demands style along with performance, especially for the price they are asking.

scratchy996
August 7, 2009 8:39 PM
you're missinformed.

EDavis
August 7, 2009 10:06 PM
scratchy996 is right. A number of years back Porsche did indeed attempt to distance itself stylistically from the 911 by introducing new models in an attempt to appeal to a new audience. Porsche built 928s, 944s, 924s, etc. Some were OK, come were crap. Porsches' core audience, lovers of the ever-beautiful 911, ignored these new models. If my memory is correct the combined sales of those models equaled the number of condoms sold in India from 1970 to 2000, i.e., 36.


Edited by user on August 8, 2009 at 5:24 AM
harshreality
August 8, 2009 1:37 AM
944s sold quite well actually but you are missing the point. The future market for cars like this(ie a younger generation) are going to need more style than just minor tweak of the same old hum drum modified VW Beetle design.. just watch

Sourek
August 8, 2009 4:18 AM
Ahh come on guys, take it easy on him, Harshreality is just angered by the fact that Porsche chose not to showcase their cars in the next Gran Turismo

scratchy996
August 8, 2009 11:24 AM
@ harshreality, what younger generation ? the average 911 buyer is 47 years old and college educated. at that age you don't buy a fast and furious car with green stickers and pink lights underneath. at that age you want something mature, something with heritage, something classy , something like the 911.

ShinyG
August 10, 2009 7:00 PM
"a younger generation that demands style along with performance" You're kidding right!? The younger generation has style?! The rich youth (the demographic you would have Porsche steer their 911 to) has no idea what that is! They're stuck to pink popped up collar shirts, white pants, giant sunglasses, golden mobile phones and buckets of perfume. I say let Nissan and Chevrolet deliver car for the fashion aficionado and let Porsche do their thing: cars that are fast but don't look like they're trying to poke your eyes out with "edgy" design or don't scream "Look at me, I have a small pecker but my 500hp car that I can't really drive to it's full potential makes it look huuuuuuuge!"

Dr.Mabuse
August 7, 2009 8:37 PM
Porsche had financial problems due to their financial speculations (i.e. attempted takeover of VW), not their styling or performance. They don't need to be following every gimmick in the market place - they march to the beat of their own drummer.


Edited by user on August 7, 2009 at 8:39 PM
harshreality
August 7, 2009 9:45 PM
Style is not a gimmick, its what attracts buyers. March to the beat of their own drummer? Not hardly, they are in the auto business to make money, Do you think they made the Cayanne and Panamera because they were "marching to the beat of their own drummer"? No, they made those models(that the "purists" hate)to sell to "non purists".

scratchy996
August 8, 2009 1:25 AM
@ harshreality , where is your design diploma to comment about style ?

harshreality
August 8, 2009 1:33 AM
Style is subjective therefore it doesnt "require" a design diploma. If Ferrari or Lamborghini repriced their cars to match Porsches prices do you really think very many people would buy a Porsche?

pismeov
August 8, 2009 5:16 AM
yes, they would. porsche has a lot of competitors such as the gtr and r8. and their competition is increasing, yet people still buy porsches. and isn't the ferrari california a 911 turbo (cabriolet) competitor?

scratchy996
August 8, 2009 11:20 AM
Aston Martin DB9, Gallardo, F430, Ferrari California, Bentley Continental GT, etc , all at about the same price as the 911 turbo, yet the turbo outsells them all. just because you don't like how they look doesn't mean they have no style. at least come with a valid artistic reason if you want to comment about style.


Edited by user on August 8, 2009 at 11:30 AM
benz_man
August 10, 2009 6:51 PM
Hey harsh, few buy Porsche's for their looks. A 911 is not stereotypically "good looking". People buy 911s for just the name, "Porsche", or because they know what an intricate machine it is and what a blast they are to drive (and how they hold value).

harshreality
August 11, 2009 1:01 AM
The 911 Turbo is the same price as the F430, California, and Gallardo? I dont know what planet you are from, but after doing some quick research Ive found the base 430 is at least $50K more than a 911 Turbo. The California and Gallardo even more. THATS the only reason it would outsell the Italian cars(I dont really care about the British cars) Im not knocking Porsches quality or engineering but if the prices were equal it wouldnt stand a chance.

Dr.Mabuse
August 11, 2009 9:05 AM
"Harsh reality" - the truth is, not everyone with money wants to stand out like a peacock. So for a car, they want something that looks classy but still relatively subtle. The Italians do not to subtle!

BemWee
August 11, 2009 9:30 PM
harshreality is right. I don´t know any under 30 year old who wants to buy Porsche these days. Porsche is so yesterday..


Edited by user on August 11, 2009 at 9:34 PM
MadMaTTer
August 7, 2009 9:42 PM
great power and performance figures although i really dont like the foglights mounted there. hopefully it will be an option.

catchmyshadow
August 8, 2009 1:32 AM
nice figures and the Turbo-S with ~520BHP is comin soon as well. literally the TT design hasn`t changed. only the taillights, headlights and tailpipes have a different look. but that´s okay, it is just a facelift.

q8lambo
August 8, 2009 3:22 AM
i have a ques , why is the top spead of the facelift turbo is less than the older one ????!!!!

Sourek
August 8, 2009 4:20 AM
Gen. I 997tt was Gear Limited to 193mph


Edited by user on August 8, 2009 at 4:20 AM
scratchy996
August 8, 2009 11:27 AM
Porsche always underestimates the performance numbers. the current 911 turbo reaches 200 mph. Jeremy Clarkson drove a 911 turbo to 200 mph on German Autobahn in his "Thriller" DVD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G6HXmDiVtQ

Sourek
August 8, 2009 4:27 AM
Will Launch Control become an option on the Manual Turbo?

catchmyshadow
August 8, 2009 4:46 AM
nah, launch control is only available with automatic transmissions.

S N K
August 9, 2009 3:35 PM
where is the wide backtail light from the 995 model! why porsche? WHY!!

Sultan91
August 9, 2009 5:36 PM
Ive already seen the turbo model with that LED tail light and the new front bumper... did the ones i see in Dubai where only the old model and were modified to look like the new one? or where they really the one in the photograph?

q8lambo
August 10, 2009 6:02 AM
scartchy996 , the top speed in the speedo is diffirent than the top speed in gps so jeremy did 200 mph but in reality he was doin around 193 or less + how can you say that the price of the turbo is the same as the gallardo or f430

scratchy996
August 10, 2009 1:20 PM
Porsche does underestimate the car's speed and acceleration, i've seen official tests with laser equipment in Ehra-Lessien that are more accurate than GPS, also Clarkson's car could have had the limiter removed. in Europe the 911 turbo costs around the same as the F430 and the normal Gallardo. the LP 560 is more expensive.


Edited by user on August 10, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Targa_Florio
August 10, 2009 11:22 AM
Ahh, they've finally ditched the ugly "tuning / drugdealer's touch" 5-spoke wheels

ShinyG
August 10, 2009 7:02 PM
I couldn't agree more, those rims were terrible!

fattychrisbmw
August 11, 2009 12:35 PM
997 turb and the panamera turbo truly my ultimate dream car... love this much more than ferrari and lambo which are not daily usable...

andrewB
August 13, 2009 9:18 AM
The next GT2 is meant to get a RS treatment, that would be so much better looking and more power with this turbo running quicker then the current GT2 with the PDK, current GT2 has 530hp, could be looking at roughly 550 or more, hell yeah, could be sub 3.5 secs from 0 - 100

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