2007 Porsche 911 Turbo Preview

Introduction

Porsche debuted at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show what it says is the most powerful Porsche to date: the all-wheel-drive 2007 911 Turbo. With 480 horses on tap and up to 501 lb.-ft. of torque, drivers can reach 62 mph in as little as 3.7 seconds. That’s comparable to Ferrari’s new, and likely higher priced, 620-horsepower 599 GTB, though it’s also in line with the $70,000, 505-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06. But this is a Porsche, one loaded with an advanced traction management system and timeless styling, which may be enough to justify the $122,900 sticker. The 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo debuts in the U.S. on July 8, 2006.

Why It Matters

Performance and Porsche are two words that have long been synonymous in the world of automotive enthusiasts, and the 911 ranks among the brand’s most respected models. Therefore, when the exotic and super car market is bursting with sub-four second cars pushing anywhere from 400 to 600 horsepower, a Porsche 911 simply has to be in the mix. Filling that void is the 2007 911 Turbo, matching the best out there in sprint times, yet adding an advanced traction system to a car with classic Porsche styling.

What's Under the Hood

Motivation for the rear-engine 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo comes from a 3.6-liter boxer engine that cranks out 480 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 457 lb.-ft. of torque at only 1,950 rpm. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or an optional Tiptronic S automatic, with the stick-shift pushing the all-wheel-drive Porsche to 62 mph in a brisk 3.9 seconds; the Tiptronic cuts that time to 3.7 seconds. An optional Sport Chrono Package Turbo allows for an extra short burst of power, pushing torque up to 501 lb.-ft. Top speed registers 193 mph on the speedometer. Porsche Traction Management works with the all-wheel-drive system to provide optimal handling, and standard vented discs do the braking, though optional ceramic brakes promise even better stopping power.