Porsche 997 911 Turbo Facelift Revealed

 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

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

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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 Bristol411S3 Bristol411S3
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.
August 7, 2009 7:59 am
 tom43 tom43
The king is back... Some further information: 911 Turbo S will arrive in March 2010. 530 hp.
August 7, 2009 8:18 am
 AG4 AG4
That would be like having a heavier AWD GT2.
August 7, 2009 8:57 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
a new Turbo S will be cool, where did you get that info from , tom43 ?
August 7, 2009 10:42 am
 dbehmoaras dbehmoaras
Very subtle visual changes, but 20bhp increase. 500 is a really big number. Good job Porsche.
August 7, 2009 8:34 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
i'm curios about the torque. and the GT2 with direct injection
August 7, 2009 10:41 am
 MTC MTC
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.
August 7, 2009 8:42 am
 Hardboy997 Hardboy997
997 Turbo, ooooh yeahh!!
August 7, 2009 8:49 am
 James2911 James2911
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...
August 7, 2009 8:54 am
 alexander alexander
Very nice! I love how Porsche keeps on increasing performance yet lowering emissions!
August 7, 2009 8:57 am
 chris25 chris25
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.
August 7, 2009 9:20 am
 Iconic Iconic
Perfect..
August 7, 2009 9:31 am
 tom43 tom43
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!
August 7, 2009 9:50 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
yes, all direct injection engines are new, the 3.8l GT3 engine is the last of the old school Porsche engines.
August 7, 2009 10:43 am
 hypersonic hypersonic
Spectacular. The cabrio is particularly beautiful.
August 7, 2009 10:07 am
 theoldman theoldman
Nice!!!!!! looking good
August 7, 2009 10:42 am
 Prince_Ash Prince_Ash
I dont notice any visual changes at all.
August 7, 2009 11:08 am
 N20_Purge N20_Purge
Very cool, those new wheels are fab! Now I can't tell which one I like more, the GT-R or this!
August 7, 2009 11:17 am
 somchai somchai
3.8 L DFI / 500 hp/ PDK/ PTM awesome
August 7, 2009 12:41 pm
 isaacu isaacu
The Porsche 997 911 Turbo. Phew! At last!! Grey hairs were almost beginning to appear!!! isaacu
August 7, 2009 2:11 pm
 jslcarfan jslcarfan
FANTASTIC!!!! and i wouldn't be surprised if the true performance numbers are faster then claimed just as they always are with the 911
August 7, 2009 3:23 pm
 911fnatic 911fnatic
Nice! Liking the Coupe's BBS-style wheels.
August 7, 2009 3:34 pm
 harshreality harshreality
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.
August 7, 2009 3:58 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
you're missinformed.
August 7, 2009 4:39 pm
 EDavis EDavis
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.
August 7, 2009 6:06 pm
 harshreality harshreality
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
August 7, 2009 9:37 pm
 Sourek Sourek
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
August 8, 2009 12:18 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
@ 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.
August 8, 2009 7:24 am
 ShinyG ShinyG
"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!"
August 10, 2009 3:00 pm
 Dr.Mabuse Dr.Mabuse
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.
August 7, 2009 4:37 pm
 harshreality harshreality
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".
August 7, 2009 5:45 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
@ harshreality , where is your design diploma to comment about style ?
August 7, 2009 9:25 pm
 harshreality harshreality
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?
August 7, 2009 9:33 pm
 pismeov pismeov
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?
August 8, 2009 1:16 am
 scratchy996 scratchy996
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.
August 8, 2009 7:20 am
 benz_man benz_man
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).
August 10, 2009 2:51 pm
 harshreality harshreality
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.
August 10, 2009 9:01 pm
 Dr.Mabuse Dr.Mabuse
"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!
August 11, 2009 5:05 am
 BemWee BemWee
harshreality is right. I don´t know any under 30 year old who wants to buy Porsche these days. Porsche is so yesterday..
August 11, 2009 5:30 pm
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