The iconic "Turbo" emblem is expected to finally appear on the sixth generation 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo in the months ahead. Once terrifyingly regarded as the "Widowmaker," the rear-engine turbocharged animal has since steadily evolved into a tamed supercar thanks to generations of improvement.
Porsche promises the new "991" generation Turbo will be better than ever. Here are the ten things you should know about the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo:
1.) The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo boasts 520 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to boost rated at 17.4 psi. According to Road & Track, an "overboost function" will give the Porsche Turbo an extra 37 lb.-ft. of torque for up to 10 seconds.
2.) Road & Track has already unveiled the performance specs of the Porsche 911 Turbo S, which will feature an additional 40 hp over the standard Turbo to offer 560 hp and 516 lb.-ft. of torque. The overboost function is available in both Turbo and Turbo S models. 0-to-60 mph should dip well under 3 seconds for the Turbo S. The top speed is governed to 196 mph. Unlimited, the Turbo S is capable of 207 mph.
3.) The "997" Turbo and Turbo S completed the Nordschleife at a staggering 7:39 and 7:37, respectively. Expect the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo to lap under 7:30.
4.) Despite the emphasis in more power and faster lap times, Porsche has managed to improve fuel efficiency as well. The German automaker claims the 911 Turbo will be up to 13 percent more efficient than the previous generation. The virtual-gear programming in the PDK accounts for less power loss while a computer enables revs to tick fewer than 1000 rpm in low-speed, low-load conditions. Start/stop technology is also standard.
5.) The only thing the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo does better than going is stopping. Available ginormous (equal parts gigantic and enormous) ceramic brakes measure 16.1 inches in the front and 15.4 inches in the rear.
6.) An extremely controversial decision, Porsche will not offer the manual transmission for its Turbo models, opting for the PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox only. What's more, the center differential is electronically controlled. A water-cooled Haldex unit can send up to 13 percent more power to the front wheels.
7.) The 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo features a clever active front spoiler. A rubber tube similar to a bicycle tire is located at the underside of the 911 Turbo's front end. the tube acts as an air bladder that adds downforce as it is inflated.
8.) Beyond a dual clutch gearbox, all-wheel-drive, and active downforce, the 911 Turbo will also feature active rear steering to enhance low speed agility and high speed stability. Sound familiar? The active rear steering system was first introduced in the track-focused Porsche 911 GT3 model earlier this year.
9.) Porsche will not abandon reliable mechanical grip just because the 911 Turbo features computer-controlled gearboxes and intelligent active aerodynamics. For 2014, the 911 Turbo will not only be wider than the Carrera 2, it will be even wider than the Carrera 4. The all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 C4 is 1.7 inches wider than the standard 911. Add another 1.1 inch for the Turbo.
10.) A leader in performance and personalization, Porsche will offer a choice of roofs for the 911 Turbo, including a standard metal roof, an airy and luxurious glass roof, and finally a carbon fiber roof for a lower center of gravity and an added cosmetic aggression.
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