2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S

Exterior

Just like its predecessor, the 911 Turbo is a slightly more aggressive version of the Carrera on the outside. And with the 992-generation Carrera being an evolutionary design of the old 991.2-gen sports car, the 992 911 Turbo S isn’t all that different from the old model. But that’s exactly how Porsche wanted it to be. The 911 isn’t like other iconic nameplates that changed dramatically over the years.

The 911's design is still deeply rooted into the original coupe that Porsche introduced in the early 1960s and that's exactly what makes it special and, even though it might sound weird, it's what makes it unique.

So if you’ve seen the 911 Carrera, you’ve seen most of the 911 Turbo S. It sports the same four-point headlamps on each side of the nose, thin LED daytime running lights in the upper bumper, and a three-piece intake that stretches over the entire width of the front fascia. Around back, we can see the same changes that Porsche designed for the 992-generation 911, including the lightbar with "Porsche" lettering, the thin taillights, and the sportier rear bumper. Of course, since the 911 Carrera is wider than its predecessor, the Turbo S also features a wider footprint.

Does the Porsche 911 Turbo S Look Different From 911 Carrera?

While it’s heavily based on the Carrera, the 911 Turbo S has plenty of extra design features to brag about. For starters, the front bumper sports wider intakes. It also includes a front splitter that extends away from the body when extra downforce is needed. It also comes with standard Matrix LED headlamps with dark surrounds, both optional on the 911 Carrera. Although it’s not exactly noticeable, the front section of the Turbo S is a tad wide than the Carrera.

In order to improve dynamics, but also to make room for the wider track, Porsche widened the Turbo S' front fenders by 1.8 inches.

The profile remains highly familiar, but the Turbo S boasts two unique features. First, the rear fenders feature big outlets that help cool down the engine and the brakes. Then there are the wheels, which now feature a center-lock design, a first for the 911. The standard rims also feature an airy double-spoke layout and measure 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear. The profile also looks a bit hotter thanks to the small rear wing mounted atop the engine lid.

Around back is where both the flat wing and the wider, muscular rear fenders come into play. While the fenders are only 0.8 inches wider, their beefed-up shape also help the Turbo S seem wider. The rear bumper was revised to include larger vents onto the sides, while the familiar round exhaust pipes were replaced with rectangular outlets. These are actually specific to Turbo models, but you can get oval tailpipes with the optional Sport Exhaust system. Standard pipes are finished in high-gloss black, but you can opt for silver if you get the oval ones.

But the Turbo S isn’t wider and more aggressive for looks only. The splitter and the wing also help deliver 15 percent more downforce than the old Turbo S model. What’s more, the coupe is now fitted with adaptive cooling air flaps at the front.

Interior

The interior of the 992-generation 911 is a significant departure from the outgoing model, and you’re getting the same massive upgrade in the 911 Turbo S. The layout remains slightly familiar thanks to a two-tier layout for the dashboard, but the horizontal separation now extends across the entire width of the panel, so the big picture is quite different. Porsche also redesigned the center console so that the lower dash flows uninterrupted toward the instrument cluster, a throwback to the first-generation 911.

The new infotainment display sits higher in the dashboard now, placed just above the separation area between the two levels. The display is notably wider at 10.9 inches, which puts the 911 Turbo S on par with other modern sports cars.

The A/C vents were lowered as well, now positioned just above the center console. The thin control panel below features five buttons shaped like toggle switches for a vintage look, also inspired by the original 911.

The instrument cluster retains the sporty design of the old 911 Turbo, thanks to a central rev counter flanked by a pair of clocks on each side. Naturally, they’re all digital now and the entire instrument cluster section is wider. The steering wheel is once again based on the 918 Spyder supercar, but the spokes are thinner and include new controls on each side.

Is The Interior of the Porsche 911 Turbo S Different from the 911 Carrera?

Just like the exterior of the Turbo model is a bit more aggressive than the Carrera, the interior boasts a handful of extra features.

First and foremost, the Turbo S comes with a more luxurious interior. Nearly all surfaces are wrapped in leather, while carbon-fiber trim is included as standard. The light silver trim on the dashboard, door panels, and center console add a bit of contrast.

The already sporty seats of the 911 Carrera were replaced with the Sport Seats Plus, which is Porsche talk for race-inspired seats with enhanced side bolstering. But despite being more aggressive by design, they won’t break your back, as they’re 18-way adjustable, so you can find a comfortable position easily at the push of a button. The stitching pattern on the seating surfaces reminds of the 930-generation 911 Turbo, the first coupe with a force-fed drivetrain.

The list of standard features goes beyond those listed above as the 911 Turbo S also comes with a GT Sport steering wheel. This isn’t radically different, but it stands out thanks the black inserts on the upper spokes and the extra button beneath the right-side spoke. The Sport Chrono package with the new Track Precision app is also included as standard, as is a Bose Surround Sound system.

Drivetrain

Just like its predecessor, the 2021 911 Turbo S hides a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter flat-six engine under the rear lid.

However, this engine is completely new and based on the design of the unit offered in the 911 Carrera. Because the entry-level Carrera is also turbocharged now, it’s easier for Porsche to use the same engine design for the entire lineup.

Of course, the unit in the 911 Turbo S boasts significant upgrades over the one in the Carrera. It features a redesigned charge air cooling system, larger turbochargers with variable turbine geometry (VTG) in a symmetrical layout, electrically adjustable wastegate flaps, and piezo injectors. All these new features increase power and torque, but also improve responsiveness and the flat-six’s free-revving nature.

The engine cranks out a massive 640 horsepower, more than any other 911 Turbo to date.

When it comes to torque, the 3.8-liter generates 590 pound-feet.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S more powerful than the previous model?

It’s actually notably more powerful. The old 911 Turbo S entered the history books with 580 horsepower and 516 pound-feet on tap, so the new-gen coupe benefits from an extra 60 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of twist. Compared to the old 911 Turbo, the 2021 Turbo S cranks out an extra 100 horsepower and 103 pound-feet. Needless to say, it’s almost significantly more potent than the current 911 S, rated at 443 horses and 391 pound-feet of twist. That’s an extra 197 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque!

All told, the 2021 911 Turbo S is the most powerful 911 built to date, not including the GT2 RS. It packs more punch than the limited-edition Turbo S Exclusive Series, which came with 607 horsepower and 553 pound-feet on tap. Impressively enough, it’s only 60 horses below the outgoing 911 GT2 RS, but it benefits from an extra 37 pound-feet of torque.

How Fast is the Porsche 911 Turbo S?

With a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 2.6 seconds, the new 911 Turbo S is two tenths quicker than its predecessor. But the really big news is that the 2021 Turbo S is a tenth-second quicker than the GT2 RS, which makes it the quickest road-legal 911 built as of 2020. The sprint to 124 mph takes only 8.9 seconds, a full second quicker than its predecessor. The quarter-mile sprint is also quite impressive at only 10.5 seconds.

When it comes to top speed, the 2021 Turbo S hits 205 mph, which is identical to the old Turbo S model. This means the Turbo S remains the second fastest 911 ever behind only the old GT2 RS, rated at 211 mph.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S more powerful than the AMG GT R or Jaguar F-Type R?

Because its output almost goes into supercar territory, the 911 Turbo S raises above the competition when it comes to oomph.

And by competition, I mean front-engined sports cars, because no other carmaker produces a rear-engined coupe at this point. The Jaguar F-Type R, for instance, comes with a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8, but output doesn’t go beyond the 575-horsepower and 516-pound-foot marks. Likewise, the V-8-powered Mercedes-AMG GT R hits the road with 577 horses and 516 pound-feet. The Aston Martin Vantage also features a V-8, but output is restricted to 503 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of twist. All told, the 911 Turbo S cranks between 63 and 137 horsepower more than its main rivals.

The competitors above are also slower than the 911 Turbo S, as no car is able to hit 60 mph in less than three seconds. No matter the choice, you have to settle mostly for mid-three-second sprints.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S available with a Manual Transmission?

Sadly, Porsche only offers a PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission on the 911 Turbo S, but this makes sense when it comes to performance. The gearbox was retuned specifically for the increase power of the turbo engine and sends all that oomph to all four wheels through an all-wheel-drive system. The latest Traction Management system was also revised and the transfer case can now distribute more torque. For instance, it can send up to 368 pound-feet of twist to the front wheels when necessary.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management system, fitted as standard, was also retuned to offer better handling. It lowers the car by 0.4 inches compared to the standard suspension and provides enhanced roll stability, road holding, and cornering speeds thanks to faster and more precisely controlled dampers. The wider tracks (1.65 inches in the front and 0.4 inches in the rear) and the wider tires also help improve sportiness and agility on both the road and the track.

Like the previous 911 Turbo S, the new coupe features Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, rear-axle steering, and ceramic-composite brakes, now with 10-piston front calipers, but all this gear has been retuned to handle the extra power. The front brake rotors are now a bit larger at 16.53 inches (versus the previous 16.14-inch rotors).

How much does the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S cost?

The latest Turbo-spec 911 starts from $203,500, a sticker than excludes the delivery and handling fee of $1,350. This is significantly more than the non-Turbo 911 and the first time when the Turbo S fetches more than $200,000 before options. The old Turbo S starts from $190,700, so the redesign added at $12,800 premium.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S more expensive than the GT R or F-Type?

Yes, the 911 Turbo S costs notably more than the Jaguar F-Type, which comes in at $103,200. It also costs more than the AMG GT R, priced from $162,900. Finally, the Turbo S fetches some $50,000 more than the Aston Martin Vantage, priced from $149,995.

When Does the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Go On Sale?

The latest Turbo S coupe will be available to order soon, according to Porsche, and will reach U.S. dealers in late 2020.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S better than the Jaguar F-Type R?

The vehicle that helped Jaguar get back into the sports car market after many years, the F-Type is already seven years old as of 2020 so it comes at a disadvantage from the very beginning. I’m not saying it’s dated, but it doesn’t have as much technology as the 911 and despite having received a facelift on the outside, it’s not a design we can describe as new. The F-Type is available with a variety of engines, but only the 5.0-liter V-8 is powerful enough for the Turbo S. Actually, the supercharged mill needs a bit more oomph to tackle the Porsche, as the 575 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the R model aren’t enough. Performance-wise, the 911 Turbo S is definitely better than the F-Type R, but the British coupe has pricing on its side with a sticker of "only" $103,200.

Read our full review of the Jaguar F-Type R.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Better than the Mercedes-AMG GT R?

Introduced as s replacement for the SLS AMG, the AMG GT is a bit more compact and it was developed with the specific purpose to go after the Porsche 911 (despite not having a rear- or mid-engined layout). This German sports car has what it takes to tackle the lower-priced variants of the 911, but the range-topping AMG GT R is nowhere near as powerful as the Turbo S. Although it comes with a bigger, 4.0-liter V-8 under the hood, the GT R boasts 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That’s a 63-horsepower and 74-pound-foot deficit. However, the AMG GT R is fitted with loads of state-of-the-art tech, enough to match the 911 Turbo S, and it’s a bit more comfortable than the Jaguar F-Type. The AMG GT R is the most expensive competitor listed here, but it’s still notably more affordable than the 911 Turbo S with pricing starting from $162,900.

Read our full story on the Mercedes-AMG GT R.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S Better than the Aston Martin Vantage?

Also a front-engined grand tourer and also powered by a V-8 engine, the Aston Martin Vantage is, at least in theory, the most luxurious alternative to the 911 Turbo S. Unlike other cars listed here, the Vantage is loaded with premium features and it can be fitted with a wide selection of fine materials and bespoke features. But at the same time, it’s the least powerful option, as the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine is rated at 503 horsepower and 505 pound-feet of torque. Luckily enough though, the Vantage is a relatively new design, having been introduced in 2018, so it’s definitely a better option than the Jaguar F-Type. Priced from $149,995, the Vantage is also more affordable than the 911 Turbo S.

Read our full review of the 2020 Aston Martin Vantage.

Conclusion

The 911 Turbo S has been a tremendous sports car since the day it was first introduced. Things became even more extreme in recent years when Porsche gave the Turbo S enough power to compete with many non-hybrid supercars. The 992-generation takes things to a brand-new level with power in excess of 600 horses, a smart AWD system with rear-wheel steering, and enough tech to turn the Turbo S into a full-fledged race car on the track. It’s obviously more powerful than its rivals and it could very well give coupes from Ferrari and McLaren a run for their money. After all, its 0-to-60 mph sprint of only 2.6 seconds is superior to even a handful of hypercars, many with outputs that exceed 700 horses. It’s also on par with hypercars that have close to 1,000 horsepower, which is amazing to say the least. Sure, it costs more than $200,000 and notably more than its direct competitors, but you get a lot of supercar and tremendous performance for the buck.

• Love it
  • * Updated design
  • * New technology
  • * Revised engine with impressive performance
• Leave it
  • * A bit expensive compared to its rivals

References

Read our full review on the current generation 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo.

Read our full review on the next generation 2019 Porsche 911.

Read more Porsche news.

Update History

Updated 04/17/2018: The next generation Porsche 911 Turbo was caught testing once again around the famous Nurburgring race track.

Updated 06/20/2017: Our spy photographers caught the upcoming Porsche 911 Turbo out for a new testing session around Nürburgring.

Spy Shots

September 21, 2019 – Porsche 911 Turbo, Production Ready and Looking Good

As has been the case for a while, the 911 Turbo was spotted without camo yet again – the last time we saw it was a year and a half ago, by the way – so at this point, we’re pretty sure that engineers are either performing and testing minor tweaks to the suspension and aerodynamics or they are just wasting time waiting for the car to make its debut. What a better way than to put it through the paces on the Nurburgring, right? Anyway, expect the Porsche 911 turbo to debut within the next couple of months for the 2020 model year.

April 17, 2018 - Porsche 992 Turbo caught testing on the Nurburgring

June 20, 2017 - Porsche 992 Turbo caught testing at Nuburgring