DETROIT – Porsche is doing less with more.
More, as in a 20-hp boost to both engines powering the new 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S, to 540 hp and 580 hp, respectively. Less, as in the 0.2 seconds trimmed from the 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) launch speed of the 911 Turbo to 3.0 seconds and 2.9 seconds by the 911 Turbo S.
Still more, as in top speeds of 199 mph (320 km/h) by the 911 Turbo, up from 196 mph (315 km/h), and 205 mph (330 km/h), up from 198 mph (318 km/h). Still less, as in fuel efficiency of 25.8 mpg (9.1 L/100 km) by the coupe and 25.3 mpg (9.3 L/100 km) by the convertible. That’s an improvement of 0.3 mpg (0.6 L/100 km) by each twin-turbocharged engine.
Both were introduced Monday at the North American International Auto Show here.
Porsche attributes the improved performance by the 3.8L 6-cyl. in the 911 Turbo to modified inlet ports in the cylinder head, new injection nozzles and higher fuel pressure. The 911 Turbo S features new turbochargers with larger compressors. Both utilize dynamic boost function, which preserves charge pressure during load changing by interrupting fuel injection and partially leaving the throttle open, resulting in improved responsiveness.
In the cockpit is a new-generation Porsche Communication Management system with online navigation, a state-of-the-art touchscreen and new connectivity features including traffic information in real time, Google Earth and Google Street View. Mobile phones and smartphones can now be integrated more quickly and easily via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or cable.
On-sale dates and pricing are not revealed.
Also displayed Monday is the Mission E all-electric concept car that premiered in September at the Frankfurt auto show and launches by the end of the decade.
The 4-door 4-seater’s lithium-ion batteries generate 600 hp and it reaches 60 mph (97 km/h) in less than 3.5 seconds with a range of more than 300 miles (480 km). Fifteen minutes of charging restores 80% of the Mission E’s range, while a full charge requires 50 minutes.
Porsche is working on a solution to a characteristic of EVs that potentially could turn off sports car enthusiasts: an engine note. The concept as built is silent but at least a semblance of conventional Porsche engines’ rumble will be engineered into the production version, a spokesman pledges.
