Geneva 2010: Porsche 911 Turbo S

Another day, another special-edition Porsche 911. But, let's put it this way: if your house was overrun with Playboy Bunnies, would you be complaining about too much of a good thing?  I didn't think so.  Porsche's just released details on their latest special edition 911, and while it seems like just another 911, if you want to be technical, it is the fastest-accelerating 911 ever. It's called the 911 Turbo S, and it's quick.

Based on the revised 3.8L 911 Turbo, the  new Turbo S boasts more of everything, but mostly it's more power.  Output jumps from 500bhp to 530bhp (same as the 2-wheel-drive 911 GT2), with torque rising to 516 lb-ft of torque thanks to revised engine management software.  The power is channeled through Porsche's 7-speed PDK twin-clutch gearbox to all four wheels and a torque-vectoring rear axle, which leads to fairly explosive acceleration numbers.  With the new lightweight 19" center-locking alloys shod with semi-track rubber, the Turbo S will rocket from a standstill to sixty miles an hour in a faintly believable 3.3 seconds, and on to a top speed of 196mph.

Sure, it's just a minor revision of the 911 Turbo, but Porsche has always been more about evolution than revolution - that's how we've got a 50+ year old design that's still one of the fastest cars on the road.  Then again, the same thing can be said about the Cateram 7, and it hasn't doubled it's weight and complexity since it's inception.

Chapman-esque whining aside, the 911 Turbo S will be just about the fastest thing with four wheels and a license plate.  It's only a matter of time until Nissan responds with a slightly more powerful GT-R, or Ferrari gets a few more ponies out of the 458 Italia.  When it comes to this horsepower war, the manufacturers compete and we win. How much is an admission ticket to this land-based missile?  Pricing starts at €145,400 (+VAT) for the coupe, and if you want to rip off your toupee it'll be a rather steep €154,900 for the Turbo S Cabriolet.  Expect to see more pictures (and get an annoyingly long press release) at the Geneva show next month, as well as some US pricing details.  But here's a hint: if you have to ask, you can't afford it.  As usual.