The Porsche 997 range will be arriving in South Africa in October, but the current 996’s swansong will be a coupé and cabriolet versions of a 331 kW Turbo S – and they’re coming here.
The Porsche 997 range will be arriving in South Africa in October, but the current 996’s swansong will be a coupé and cabriolet versions of a 331 kW Turbo S – and they’re coming here.
Porsche AG recently announced that it will extend its product range to include the 911 Turbo S, derivatives of which will be available at dealers around the globe from August.
Porsche SA spokesman Jessica Baker told CARtoday.com on Tuesday that as had been the case with the 993 series, the Turbo S models would be the final incarnations of the 996. "Very limited numbers of both coupé and cabriolet will the sold in South Africa and at a slight premium over current Turbo models," she said.
The Turbo S produces its maximum output (22 kW higher than that of the 911 Turbo) at 5 700 r/min thanks to the use of larger turbochargers, a further improved intercooler and revised engine electronics. Maximum torque is 620 N.m (60 N.m up on the Turbo) available between 3 500 and 4 500 r/min.
According to the Zuffenhausen-based firm, the Turbo S will reach a maximum speed of 307 km/h and the manual transmission coupé will sprint from zero to 200 km/h in 13,6 seconds (about 0,8 seconds faster than the 911 Turbo).
The Turbo S is equipped with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake system – sports punched and internally-ventilated ceramic brake discs with a diameter of 350 mm front and back. In addition to the Turbo S logos on the boot, door mouldings and centre console, the models have been fitted with 18-inch wheels in "GT silver metallic" trim.
Baker told CARtoday.com that apart from having a shorter-throw gear action than its Turbo sibling, the Turbo S has a plusher interior… leather features prominently on the middle strips of the seats, steering wheel rim, shift lever and the hand brake lever.
The extended standard features include cruise control, a six CD changer system and the green tinted band at the top of the windscreen. For this new model the special colour, dark olive metallic, can be ordered at no extra charge, the firm says.
