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| July-Aug_AutoReview |
 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe
By Auto Review Man
In my opinion only two things get better with age, fine wines and the Porsche 911. Wines obviously mature and taste divine as any sommelier will tell you, while the Porsche 911 of any vintage progressively becomes more powerful, better looking inside, out and even more desirable. For model year 2010, the iconic sports car's sweet looks remain with the classic teardrop shape, but performance, handling, comfort, fuel economy, emissions and driving pleasure are all improved to ensure the newest 911 Turbo remains the world’s best all-round |
sports car.
Exterior upgrades are subtle with new titanium-colored louvers in the side air intakes, and very cool LED daytime running lights up front with swiveling headlights on the Turbo. The Turbo’s classic rear biplane spoiler reappears and new LED brake and direction lights and bigger exhaust pipes finish off the rear.
Technically the new horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine gets a displacement increase from 3.6 to 3.8 liters. It is also the first Turbo engine with direct fuel injection. The twin variable-turbine-geometry turbochargers have practically no turbo lag and horsepower goes up from 480 to an incredible 500 horsepower ponies at 6000 rpm, with peak torque of 479 lb-ft, delivered from 1900 to 5000 rpm. The new direct-injected Turbo is not only more powerful but also more fuel efficient and cleaner if that is what one cares about.
The optional Sport Chrono Package includes an overboost mode that pushes torque up to 516 lb-ft from 2100 to 4000 rpm. With the new engine's gains in power, efficiency and emissions, Porsche engineers are still pushing the limits.
 The standard gearbox is a six-speed manual, but the company's dual-automated-clutch PDK gearbox is offered as an option. Both gearboxes have been upgraded and adapted to the Turbo's greater torque and horsepower. And of course, no Porsche is complete without the brakes to match and the new Turbo can also be ordered with the pricey Porsche ceramic-composite brakes that offer 15-inch discs in front and 13.8-inch discs at the rear. In spite of the larger front discs, the ceramic brake system is about 40 pounds lighter and further adds to the braking performance. Using magnetically variable fluid viscosity, the wheel mounts stiffen in hard cornering and braking for more pert, defined linear reactions and better stability. In normal driving, the mounts are softer to improve smoothness and dampen shocks and vibrations.
The standard wheel is a forged 19-inch Turbo II alloys, while an interesting option in the US is the 19-inch RS Spyder wheels of the same diameter, fastened with a single racing-style central bolt. In addition to a new version of the Porsche Traction Management all-wheel-drive system and Porsche Stability Management system, the new Turbo is available with Porsche Torque Vectoring. This new system will lightly brake the inside rear wheel in a corner to reduce understeer.
The 911 Turbo is about performance first, and PDK-equipped Turbos are by far the quickest accelerating. With the Sport Plus button pushed, you can activate the new Launch Control mode in the most effective way by left foot on the brake, right foot flat to the floor, past the kickdown point. The engine jumps to about 5000 rpm, and once the words "launch control" light up on the steering wheel, you step off the brake and the Turbo leaps forward with the speed of a land rocket with just a hint of controlled wheel spin. Porsche says the Coupe can do a zero-to-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds
On The Road
The Porsche 911 remains as awesome looking as ever interior wise, the leather is immaculate and superbly finished, a new three spoke steering wheel arrives with the manual tranny, while the PDK model has paddle shifters. The new 911 Turbo comes with a standard hard-disc navigation system, a 6.5-inch monitor screen, a 13-speaker (12 on the Cabrio) Bose Surround Sound audio system and an optional universal audio interface for MP3 players and such. The seats and ergonomic are superb although tricky to get into if you are on the porky side.
On the road the 911 has the tremendous acceleration of a bona fide race car, everything happens lighting fast and the PDK transmission is so fast in it responses, you feel clumsy trying to use the paddle shifters. Brakes are equally good with phenomenal stopping power, time after time. The ride quality is typical Porsche, firm, so stable and tracks like it is on rails in hard corners. The steering is still exceptional with a pin sharp smooth, linear response, and great road feel. Its is simply incredible that you have 500 odd horsepower under your right foot and the acceleration is simply spine tingling. However those superb brakes and the suspension make for a composed comfortable ride unless you use the adjustable suspension settings to further tighten up the handling at the expense of a firmer ride, but more road feel.
The 911 Turbo Coupe will make even the most timid driver feel like they are an F1 driver with its visceral driving pleasure, sound, feel and the sheer knowledge that this is one of the most beautiful and most desirable cars on the planet. Point to point this is the only practical super car you can drive ever. The first car you should buy if you win the lottery or you make it big. Simply nothing to complain about. Superb in every department
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo: Priced from $165,300
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