What just happened?!! 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S driven.

Nothing prepares you for it. All the sports cars, all the launch controls, all the speed – nothing prepares you for it. The 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S accelerates to 100km/h in 2.7 seconds. If the law and the road permit, this bullet disguised as a Porsche will reach 200km/h in 8.9 seconds, topping out at 330km/h. Unfortunately, in South Africa, the law nor the road permits these speeds, so I cannot attest for the vehicles top speed figures. What I can tell you is that you never doubt that this vehicle can reach those speeds with ease. It’s funny when you realise that a fully electric Porsche Taycan Turbo S with an instant torque figure of 1050N.m, gets to 100Km/h in 0,1 of a second slower than the new 911 Turbo S.

What has Porsche done to achieve thesefigures? At the heart of this weapon is a 3.8 horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine,with two VTG turbochargers producing 478kW and 800N.m. These numbers are then translatedto all four wheels via Porsche’s Torque Vectoring Plus (P.T.V Plus) system. Thismeans that no matter what the condition, the vehicle will make sure that thoseinsane kW’s and N.m’s are distributed to the wheels that need it most. Thissystem is rear wheel biased, allowing for a confidence inspiring front axlethat doesn’t feel encumbered like other 4WD setups. Given the responsibility ofgearing this whole operation is an 8-speed PDK with a dual mass fly wheel. Thisis the only gearbox I’ve experienced that mimics the feeling of an 8-speedautomatic in terms of smoothness.

When driven hard the changes are razorsharp too, but not neck snapping as is the case with other double clutch gearboxes.For those seeking repeated warp speed experiences, the Turbo S will happilylaunch control off the lights over and over, without putting a foot wrong. Onthe other end of the spectrum, it’s very happy to be in Comfort mode, potteringaround town quietly without drawing too much attention to yourself. This iswhere you see the brilliance in Porsche’s gearbox engineering as the changescan barely be felt in Comfort, making the Turbo S a true everyday sports car.

To complete the everyday appeal, the 911Porsche Turbo S needs to provide high levels of interior comfort. Thankfullythis is the case as the fascia is modern and chic, well-built and it follows thedesign cues of its tamer 992 siblings. Most notable is the 10.9-inch infotainmentscreen which is equipped with Apple CarPlay, intuitive feedback and an easy-to-uselayout. The information displayed on the screen can be mirrored to the driver’sdigital display, keeping the driver focused on the road ahead. The flow of theinterior creates an ergonomically friendly environment, with nothing being toofar or out of sight. Seating comfort is also very good, and the rear can actuallybe used, albeit for humans of the kindergarten and Montessori variety.

So, what’s its actually like to drive? Atfirst the numbers do intimidate, causing you to fire up the engine with sometrepidation. Once you get going you begin by nursing the pressure on the accelerator,as this is one pedal that requires your attention and respect.  Once you start exploring and seeing what andhow much throttle to use, it becomes easier and you settle into a rhythm. It’sgenuinely astounding how civil a vehicle with this level of performance can be.Once you get over the pleasantries you then muster up the courage to see if theclaims are true.

The initial launch control will either leave you wanting more, or you’ll happily admit that this amount of performance is not for you. Either way you’ll ask yourself “what just happened?” If you’re part of the former group, the more you use the torque on offer appropriately, the more you’ll begin trusting the front axle, which as previously mentioned is very communicative. Each drive then becomes a well-orchestrated dance, you as the conductor at the wheel with your right foot controlling the tempo. Topping the experience off, is a chassis and aerodynamics that will have you questioning the little you know about physics.

It’s one thing to be able to accelerate rapidlybut stopping is another difficult task that engineers need to perfect beforeunleashing a car like this to the masses. Again, thankfully the Porsche Turbo Sstops as if it has seen your sibling warming up the leftovers you had savedwhile holding your charging cord that was stolen from your desk! No seriously, itactually gets to a point where nausea is on the horizon. You simply don’t expectthe bite from the brakes to be as vicious as it is. This is due to the Turbo Sbeing equipped with a 10-piston caliper setup up front. So, it’s good to knowthat you have massive performance on both ends of the scale, acceleration andbraking.

So, what will all this cost you? It’s difficultto guess when you have near hyper-car like performance meant for everyday use.Without any extras, the vehicle will set you back a cool R3.7 million. Yes,this is not pocket change but let’s consider what that price tag gets you. Ifmoney is no object, most wealthy drivers would seek a daily driver that offerscomfort and frills, making traffic better than what it is. Thereafter on theweekends, a secondary high-performance vehicle would be opted for, one thatreminds you why you work as hard as you do. Porsche has remedied the need for this,giving you everything in one. A car that does both brilliantly. So, is R3.7million still a lot of money, or is it a bargain? It depends on how you look atit.

Those who share the same viewpoint as mewill agree that this 992 Porsche 911 Turbo S is worth it. It’s an experiencelike no other. This vehicle reminds you why Porsche has such a cult following.It’s also a reminder to the competition that this Porsche’s game. The 911 Turbohas always ruled this segment and continues to do so with the 992.