It’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it. Six years ago, I stepped out of the then brand-new Porsche 992 Turbo S with sweaty palms. My conclusion back then? This is the ultimate, brutal all-rounder. A car that effortlessly rewrites the laws of physics. Fast forward six years, and the engineers in Stuttgart have made something that was already great even better. After spending a few days behind the wheel of the Turbo S MkII, you’d think this has to be the absolute pinnacle. Nothing could be further from the truth, though; the next-generation 911 Turbo S is likely already under development.
At first glance, the MkII has been subtly sharpened. Porsche is an absolute master in the evolution of design, and this facelift is no exception. After all, they’ve been doing it for over 50 years! The front bumper features sharper fins and active aerodynamics that look even more aggressive. At the rear, we find a redesigned, continuous LED light bar and a bumper that tightly encloses the restyled exhaust tips. It’s cleaner, more modern, and looks even wider. It’s as if a magician sat at the drawing board. Porsche has managed to outdo itself once again with this design.
The real revolution lies beneath the surface. The legendary 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six remains, but its forced induction has been significantly overhauled. Porsche has equipped the MkII with an electric turbocharger. What does that mean in practice? Forget everything you know about turbo lag. While the old Turbo S already reacted insanely fast, the throttle response of the MkII is downright otherworldly. An electric motor, powered by a sophisticated 48V system, spools up the turbine wheel before the exhaust gases even get the chance. The result is instantaneous acceleration, which is something you really have to brace yourself for when driving more spiritedly. The previous-generation Turbo had to wait a brief moment for turbo pressure to build. Now, it’s there instantly, which becomes very noticeable when accelerating out of a corner. The rear end might step out just a fraction to manage all 711 horsepower. Where the MkI occasionally gave you that split-second breathing room while the turbos spooled up, the MkII is a relentless, linear punch to your spine. It might not always be pleasant for your passengers—though they can’t really complain when riding along in an all-rounder like this. At the same time, it remains that familiar, trusted Turbo S: you can drive it to the supermarket or straight through the Alps with the exact same ease. In Comfort mode, the damping is firm at most, but never uncomfortable. That completely changes once you switch to Sport Plus mode. The Turbo S transforms into a sharp, focused sports car that still inspires total confidence.
Once inside, one major change catches your eye immediately. If you, like me, are used to the pre-facelift model, the biggest difference is visible the moment you wrap your hands around the steering wheel: the analog tachometer, for decades the sacred centerpiece of the 911 cockpit, is gone. In its place, I was looking at a fully digital curved display. Truth be told, as a car reviewer with a weak spot for mechanical gauges, it took a moment to swallow. But as soon as you start driving, functionality triumphs over nostalgia. The screen is razor-sharp, reflects absolutely zero glare in bright sunlight, and allows you to completely customize the layout. Whether you want to expand the navigation map across the entire screen or opt for the classic five-gauge setup with a virtual tachometer in the middle, it works flawlessly and intuitively.
Six years ago, I thought it couldn't get much faster or more usable than the 992 Turbo S. The MkII proves me wrong. By adding the electric turbo, Porsche has not only preserved the car's handling and brutal power but has elevated its responsiveness to a whole new level. It remains the king of daily hypercars. Six years ago, I concluded my review with a grounded look at the price tag. The model I drove back then came in at a then-astronomical €312,873 with options. A lot of money, I concluded, but still a bargain compared to the Italian exotics operating in the same league. The MkII stands gleaming in front of me, and I take a look at the spec sheet of this particular test car. Brace yourselves: €397,133 including VAT and BPM. Nearly four hundred grand for a 911 Turbo S. That is an increase of almost 85,000 euros compared to that 'old' MkI. But let’s be honest. The world has changed, and so has the technology in this car. That massive jump is partly due to inevitable inflation and the Dutch tax climate, but certainly also down to the immense development poured into this MkII platform. The addition of the 48V system and those electric turbos is no simple facelift update. Of course, a fair share of options has been added as well, such as the carbon fiber wheels (€4,300) and the 911 Turbo Carbon SportDesign package (€9,569). And let’s not forget the carbon fiber wiper arms at €1,339.
Photography by Christian Kalse