2021 Porsche 911 Turbo

Exterior

Just like Turbo S, the 911 Turbo is a slightly more aggressive version of the Carrera design-wise.

It’s also an evolution of the previous 911 Turbo, and it’s not very different when compared to the more expensive Turbo S.

Many of its design features are very familiar, starting with the four-point headlamps on each side of the nose, thin LED daytime running lights in the upper bumper, and a three-piece intake that stretches over the entire width of the front fascia. The changes that Porsche designed for the 992-generation 911, including the lightbar with "Porsche" lettering, the thin taillights, and the sportier rear bumper are all visible around back.

Compared to the Turbo S, the 2021 911 Turbo is just about the same. It comes with wider intakes in the front bumper, as well as a front splitter that extends away from the body when extra downforce is needed. The front fenders are 1.8 inches wider than the previous model, an upgrade that improves aerodynamics and makes room for the 911’s wider track.

Onto the sides, you’ll notice two features that set the Turbo apart from the Carrera. First, the rear fenders feature big outlets that help cool down the engine and the brakes, while the wheel features a race-inspired, center-lock design, a first for the 911. The standard rims measure 20 inches in the front and 21 inches in the rear.

Around back, the Turbo model stands out thanks to its wider, more muscular fenders and the flat wing atop the engine lid. The Turbo-spec rear bumper includes larger vents onto the sides, while the familiar round exhaust pipes were replaced with rectangular outlets. Go with the optional Sport Exhaust system, and the outlets will become oval.

Interior

The interior of the 992-generation 911 is a notable departure from the outgoing model, but the layout remains familiar thanks to a two-tier layout for the dashboard.

Porsche redesigned the center console so that the lower dash flows uninterrupted toward the instrument cluster, a throwback to the first-generation 911. The new infotainment display sits higher in the dashboard now, placed just above the separation area between the two levels. The display measures 10.9 inches, and it’s among the biggest you can get in a modern sports car. The A/C vents were lowered and sit just above the center console. The thin control panel below features five buttons shaped like toggle switches for a vintage look, also inspired by the original 911.

The instrument cluster retains the sporty design of the old 911 Turbo with a similar central rev counter flanked by a pair of clocks on each side. Of course, these clocks are digital now, and the entire instrument cluster section is wider. The steering wheel based on the 918 Spyder supercar, a design that Porsche has been using in the 911 for a couple of years now.

Is The Interior Of The 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo Different From The 911 Carrera?

The interior of the 911 Turbo slots between the 911 Carrera and the Turbo S. The appearance is largely the same, but the Turbo model comes with a few extras. These include the 14-way adjustable Sport seats (the Turbo S comes with Sport Plus seats), the GT Sport steering wheel with shift paddles, and the Sport Chrono package, which now features a new Track Precision app. The premium Bose Surround Sound system also comes standard.

The 911 Turbo’s cabin is as premium as they get with every surface covered in soft materials, including fine leather. You’ll also find contrast stitching, aluminum trim, and high-quality plastic. You can opt for carbon-fiber inserts and two-tone layouts with contrasting colors.

Drivetrain

The 911 Turbo shares its engine with the Turbo S model, so it’s powered by a twin-turbo, 3.7-liter flat-six. This powerplant is brand-new, and it’s based on the design of the engine offered in the current 911 Carrera. Because the Carrera is also turbocharged now, Porsche is simply streamlining engine technology. But this flat-six isn’t as powerful as the one in the Turbo S.

Rated at 572 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque; the Turbo falls behind the Turbo S by a significant 68 horses and 37 pound-feet.

But despite lacking some power and torque, the Turbo’s flat-six boasts the same upgrades as the Turbo S. It features a redesigned charge air cooling system, larger turbochargers with variable turbine geometry (VTG) in a symmetrical layout, electrically adjustable wastegate flaps, and piezo injectors. All these new features increase power and torque, but also improve responsiveness and the flat-six’s free-revving nature.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo more powerful than the previous model?

The old 911 Turbo came with a 3.8-liter flat-six rated at 533 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. This means that the 992-generation model benefits from an extra 39 horses and 66 pound-feet of twist. The new Turbo is actually just as powerful as the old Turbo S at 572 horsepower, but it adds an extra 37 pound-feet of torque.

But how fast is the 2021 911 Turbo? The coupe needs a scant 2.7 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start and will continue to accelerate to a top speed of 199 mph. This means the Turbo model is a tenth-second slower than the Turbo S to 60 mph, while its top speed is six mph below that of the range-topping model.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo faster than the old model?

The outgoing 911 Turbo needs 2.9 seconds to hit 60 mph, so the new 911 Turbo is two tenths quicker. At 2.7 seconds, the new 911 Turbo is also a tenth-second quicker than the previous Turbo S and just as quick as the old GT2 RS model. Quite impressive! When it comes to top speed, it’s just as quick as the old Turbo at 199 mph, so there’s no improvement here.

There is some bad news to consider if you’re a fan of manual transmissions. While the Carrera models are available with a seven-speed manual, the Turbo is stuck with Porsche’s PDK dual-clutch. But this is actually good news as far as performance goes because a manual gearbox would make the 911 Turbo much slower.

Power travels to all four wheels via a Porsche Traction Management (PTM) AWD system shared with the Turbo S. Traction at the rear axle is better than the old model thanks to the wider track, while the standard rear-axle steering system improves cornering ability. Stopping power comes from cast-iron rotors front and rear. They’re diameter is larger than on the old 911 Turbo. The carbon-ceramic brakes with 10-piston calipers that are standard on the Turbo S are available as an option on this model.

How much does the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo cost?

Pricing for the 911 Turbo starts from $170,800 in the United States. For this sticker, you can take home the coupe version. If you want the drop-top variant, pricing jumps to $183,600 before options.

The 911 Turbo is notably more affordable than the Turbo S, with both the coupe and convertible models fetching a $32,700 premium for a final sticker that exceeds $200,000.

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo better than the Mercedes-AMG GT R?

The current AMG GT is on the market for quite a few years, but it’s still a potent coupe in R trim. This front-engined two-door features a twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine rated at 577 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This isn’t enough to compete against the Turbo S, but it has what it takes to go against the Turbo. That’s an extra five horses, but a 37-pound-foot deficit. However, the GT R is nowhere near as quick from a standing start, needing 3.5 seconds to hit 60 mph, 0.8 seconds slower than the 911 Turbo. It’s top speed, on the other hand, is similar at 198 mph. The Mercedes-AMG GT R starts from $162,900, so it’s slightly more affordable than the Porsche 911 Turbo.

Read our full review of the Mercedes-AMG GT R

Is the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo better than the Jaguar F-Type R?

The Jaguar F-Type is another front-engined competitor for the Porsche 911 Turbo. But unlike the German coupe, it features a bigger 5.0-liter V-8 and a supercharger. It comes with 575 horsepower on tap, three more than the 911 Turbo, but just like the AMG GT R, it’s much slower from 0 to 60, needing 3.5 seconds to hit the benchmark. Its top speed is also slightly inferior at 186 mph. But this AWD machine is notably more affordable than the 911 Turbo, coming in at $103,200 before options.

Read our full story on the Jaguar F-Type R.

Conclusion

The 911 Turbo has been one of Porsche’s finest models ever since it was introduced in the 1970s. The Turbo has become increasingly more powerful with each generation, and the 992 version is solid proof that Porsche isn’t slowing down. Sure, the Turbo S is the ultimate 911 right now, but the regular Turbo is plenty powerful and comes with almost as many features inside and out. If you’re looking to save around $30,000, the Turbo is a solid option against the Turbo S. What’s more, it’s quicker than any sports car in its niche, and it holds its own against much more powerful and expensive supercars.

• Love it
  • New design inside and out
  • New technology
  • Powerful turbo engine
  • Amazing 0-60 mph sprint
• Leave it
  • Far from affordable