History of Porsche 911 Turbo S
The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a high-performance sports car that has been in production since 1989. Here's a brief history of the Porsche 911 Turbo S.
930 Turbo S 1989
The original Turbo was produced as an S model in its final 1989 production year via Porsche’s Sonderwunsch programme. Exact build numbers are near impossible to ascertain, with 21 thought to have been built. Lift that tea-tray and you’ll find a different intercooler and larger K27 turbocharger, along with some revisions to the intake system that boosted power to 330hp. The Turbo S also gained a larger oil cooler, a lower sports suspension, a limited-slip differential, and interior tweaks including 959 tri-colour sports seats.
964 Turbo S 1992
The 964 Turbo S gained power, achieving 381hp from the 3.3-litre flat six thanks to greater boost, improved fuel injection, differing cam profiles (compared to the Carrera 3.6) and machined intake ports. Weight was cut by 180kg, the 40mm ride-height dropped on sports suspension, to which three-piece lightweight alloys were fitted. The rear wheel arches gained intakes as did the front bumper, with RS-style intakes where the driving lights should go, while the rear spoiler was slightly lower in profile. Just 86 would be built.
993 Turbo S 1998
That 964 Turbo S Le Mans GT outlined the route Porsche would take with the 993 Turbo: twin-turbocharging. The 993 Turbo also gained four-wheel drive, while the arrival of the S in 1997 would see the standard car’s 408hp increased to 450hp. Visually, it followed the now-familiar visual Turbo S changes of punctured rear wheel arches, a differing profile front splitter and additional intakes in both a modified rear wing on top of the engine lid as well as the front bumper. Some 345 would be built.
996 Turbo S 2005
Like so many before it, the 996 Turbo S was a late blow-out from Porsche, with the company throwing power (450hp), poise and equipment into the mix, including standard PCCB brakes, and Turbo S visual cues such as intaked rear wheel arches to create a special run-out model based on the Turbo. In excess of 1,500 would find homes, with it offered in both Coupe and Cabriolet guises as well as an automatic version for the first time.
997 Turbo S 2011
The Gen2 997 would gain the S badge in 2011, with the model becoming more of a series production machine than a genuinely low-number special model. Power increased by 30hp for 530hp from its 3.8-litre, twin-turbo engine, with the S badge bringing greater equipment including centre-lock alloy wheels fitted with PCCB brakes as standard. Again, an automatic would be offered optionally, although with the 997 it would be the PDK dualclutch transmission. A 918 Edition Turbo S special, built exclusively for 918 customers, would receive some visual tweaks inside and out, but little else.
991 Turbo S 2013-2018
Now as a recognised series model, the 991 Turbo S was introduced at the same time as the standard Turbo. It gained 40hp from its 3.8-litre flat six for a total output of 560hp. The S badge brought, again, centre lock wheels and PCCB, with the Gen2 car gaining even more power in 2016, for a 580hp output, and a 2.9 second 0-62mph time. All 991 Turbo S would be PDK only, including the limited, 500-run, 911 Turbo S Exclusive Edition, which is more in the tradition of the early Turbo S models. This boosted to 607hp and gained some exclusive carbon fibre body parts and unique paint finishes.
992 Turbo S 2020
Launched in advance of the regular Turbo, the 992 Turbo S cemented the car’s place among the standard production cars, as opposed to a special model. With 640hp, the 992 Turbo S is the top dog in the current line-up in relation to both power and standard equipment.