Porsche 911 Turbo S (2022 - 2023)

The Porsche 911 has become quite the cult model for the German carmaker with sure-footed handling and all the power and pace you could possibly wish for.
There is a wealth of choice for customers looking to own an iconic 911 with body styling including the coupe (as tested) or cabriolet for open-top fun.
The 911 Carrera and Targa models are the entry point into the line-up and will cost from £89,800 or £105,800 respectively.

At the higher end of the scale we get the Turbo badged cars which really ramp up the stakes and the pricing. And that’s just what we opted for in a spin behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 Turbo S.
 

You simply can’t take your eyes off the Porsche 911 Turbo S – it’s just magnificent. With powerful, muscular lines the two-door model oozes class thanks to its wide Turbo body and rear-positioned engine.
Eye-catching features include retractable door handles, air intakes, LED headlights with Matrix beam, a black sports exhaust system, extended spoiler, 20-inch front wheels (21-inch at the rear), plus bright yellow brake calipers. There are black high gloss mirror bases and window trims, with PORSCHE lettering integrated into the taillight strip.
Moving inside, the cabin is compact but perfectly laid out for driver convenience. The leather seats boast decorative stitching and our test car featured red upholstery throughout with red seats, door panels, carpeting, dashboard and also the GT sports steering wheel. 
Creature comforts are plentiful with a 12-speaker Bose surround sound system, Porsche Communication Management with online navigation and voice control. There is apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity (no Android Auto), a DAB radio, cruise control, two-zone climate control and lots more besides.
Our car also featured Park Assist with Surround View as a £732 option that is well worth the money.
The 10.9-inch centre display screen is neatly integrated into the dashboard while there are separate controls for all the climate functions. Behind the wheel, there is a central rev dial with two seven-inch TFT displays each side offering all manner of information. These can easily be personalised to taste although the outer edges can be difficult to view.
 

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is powered by a 3.8-litre naturally-aspirated, six-cylinder petrol engine that is rear mounted. It has an output of 650hp with 800Nm of torque resulting in a 0-62mph sprint time of just 2.7 seconds and top speed of 205mph.
With all-wheel drive this car features Porsche’s renowned seven-speed PDK transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddles for added driver engagement and fun.
The pace out of the starting blocks is blisteringly fast and will leave you pinned to the back of the seat. The grip is incredibly sure footed and the poise and balance through sharp twisting bends would be difficult to match.
The engine roar is loud and acts as the perfect soundtrack. Switch on the Enhanced Exhaust note and it’s more like feeding time in the Serengeti. 
Drive modes called Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, Wet and Individual alter all aspects of the car’s reactions from the acceleration through to the gear changes. And there is always the temptation to press the centre of the Drive Mode button on the steering wheel. This activates the Sport Response function that delivers more of everything as it counts back from 20 seconds to zero. Not for the faint-hearted though.
The electronic damping system smooths out most bumps along the way and this car is a motorway cruiser (although watch your speed as it has so much more to give). With Park Assist, the 911 Turbo S is easy to drive and park in busier town centres too.
 

The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a compact 2+2 coupe sports car that boasts beautifully crafted streamlining and muscular curves. With that in mind, the rear seats are certainly not a practical option for anyone but your worst enemy with legroom of just a few inches at best. However, these seats are ideal to throw your coat or bag on for convenience.
The cockpit is very well thought-out and Porsche designers have cleverly utilised the available space. For example there is a locking glovebox, door bins, two cup holders, along with a central cubby box to store a phone with USB-C ports to stay connected on the move.
With its rear engine set-up it does mean there is additional space beneath the bonnet where there is room for 128 litres of luggage.
It’s quick and easy to find a perfect driving position inside this Porsche thanks to powered seats and a power-adjustable steering wheel. Memory settings make it convenient to store favourite positions and, the seats can be heated to fend off the winter chill.
All controls are simple to use on the fly and the car is deceptively comfortable to drive over longer journeys.
On the downside, the outer sections of the driver-display screen are difficult to view without peering around the steering wheel. But that was my only complaint within this car.
The 911 Turbo S stretches 4,535mm in length, is 1,900mm wide (with mirrors folded in) and 1,303mm high. Those dimensions mean getting in or out can be a struggle especially if someone has rather inconveniently parked alongside you preventing the wide doors from being opened fully.
 

It will come as little surprise to learn the Porsche 911 Turbo S will set you back a bob or two. Our test car started life costing £160,610, but a raft of optional extras saw the price climb to £169,494.
These add-ons included a black sports exhaust system (£2,180), 20- and 21-inch Turbo S Exclusive Design wheels (£1,608), Porsche InnoDrive including Cruise Control (£1,818) and specialist paint (£1,725).
The day-to-day running costs will soon stack up too with WLTP-tested fuel efficiency of 23.0-23.5mpg and carbon emissions of 271-278g/km.
That CO2 emissions figure means owners will be facing the most expensive Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) charge for the first year of £2,365. This will drop down to the standard fee of £165 after 12 months.
But the costs keep on coming. As the 911 Turbo S costs more than £40,000 it is subject to a government premium car tax which costs an additional £355 for five years. 
And this Porsche also qualifies for the most expensive insurance group, rated at 50.
So, clearly the 911 Turbo S is not exactly cheap to buy or run, but in its defence, few things of this kind of beauty, power and quality ever are.
 

This powerhouse of a car is the perfect example of everything that makes Porsche so great. It boasts the aggressive design with looks guaranteed to stop onlookers dead in their tracks. If that doesn’t work, the engine’s soundtrack will definitely get their attention. Factor in the incredible handling capabilities and this is a car that simply cannot be ignored. And nor should it be.