Porsche 997.2 Turbo S

BACKGROUND
911 Turbo! It fully deserves the exclamation mark as the pinnacle of Porsche’s iconic, rear-engined masterpiece. Launched in 1974, the 911 Turbo rewrote the supercar script, introducing a never before seen blend of massive performance, and usability. The Italian stallion and charging bull became were revealed as stroppy prima donnas, in the wake of the Turbo’s Teutonic talent.

The air-cooled 911 Turbo peaked with the 4WD twin turbo 993, as sophisticated a weapon as there was on the road in the 90s. The all new, water-cooled 996 Turbo followed in 2000, setting a whole new benchmark for the all-weather supercar, with a useable 420bhp from its Mezger derived, 3.6-litre, flat-6 and 4WD. It was as happy trundling to the shops as it was at near on 200mph.

The 996 was a largely successful modern reboot of the 911 concept, but it took the arrival of the 997 in 2004, to finish the job. For many the 997 is the sweet-spot of the modern/water-cooled 911 era. Just the right balance of size and performance, and as surely as night follows day, the 997 Turbo arrived in 2006, to build on the 996 Turbo’s formula.

Once again, the engine was the bullet-proof 3.6 Mezger unit, but this time with a host of revisions, most notably Variable Turbo Technology (VTG) – effectively two compressors, within a single housing, for improved turbo response. Power was boosted to 473bhp; torque a massive 457lbs/ft @ 1950-5000rpm, with 0-60 arriving in 3.6 secs and top speed of 193mph.

The 997 Turbo was of course 4WD equipped, but now with an electronically activated centre diff and Porsche’s new active suspension management (PASM), plus stability management (PSM). Transmission options remained 6-speed manual and 5-speed Tiptronic.

In 997.2 Turbo form, the beast with two turbos, received yet more power – up to 530bhp and 516lbs/ft torque @ 2100-4250 – from an all new 3.8-litre, direct fuel injected, engine (thus saying goodbye to the legendary Mezger unit), plus the all-new, seven-speed PDK transmission, a big step up from the outgoing Tiptronic. In manual mode, however, you’d be hard pushed to tell the difference, both versions the ultimate evolution of the 911 Turbo’s thundering power and performance, technical sophistication and genuine everyday practicality.

SILVER MACHINE
Which brings us to this GT Silver stunner: A 2010 997.2 Turbo S, with just 21.000-miles on the clock. As such it’s as time-warp a 997 Turbo as you’re ever going to find and pretty much showroom fresh.

Offsetting the almost jewel like silver exterior is a full black extended leather interior, plus carbon trim kit, which is a great visual touch. Alcantara headlining adds more luxury. The sound system is Bose and the hard-backed Sports seats are heated and six-way adjustable.

In terms of mechanical spec, being a 997.2 Turbo S means the full 530bhp option, plus PDK 7-speed transmission. For once, we’re not going make any reference to the manual option, because there wasn’t one. The gen 2 Turbo S was PDK only. Frankly it’s no hardship, and it suits the Turbo well and you can always manually shift via the paddles. Completing the tech spec are Porsche’s mighty PCCB (Porsche Carbon Composite Brakes). Porsches PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) suspension completes the package.

Predictably this Turbo has wanted for nothing. The history documents all service and work carried out from Porsche, showing regular maintenance at Porsche Centres throughout its life. As per the low mileage, this has been entirely routine, save for some paint on the front for stone chips.

ON THE ROAD
Wide-bodied the 997 Turbo might have been in 2010, but by contemporary 911 Turbo standards, its positively snake-hipped. And while 530bhp is almost real world road useable, unlike the crazy world of 600+bhp contemporary 911 Turbos. Want to make your passengers squeal, then hit them with PDK launch control, which will deliver repeatable sub 3.5 sec 0-60mph runs until you get bored, or they beg you to stop.

Gimmicks aside. The 997 chassis is still on the right side of analogue, likewise the steering. And if you want to feel what real grip, acceleration and actual G-force feels like, just unleash this Turbo out of a corner… The fastest point-to-point 911 ever? Could be.

IN SUMMARY
What can we add? The all round, every day, all-weather supercar, often sounds like damming with faint praise, but actually it’s the 911 Turbo’s towering achievement. As such, and in this ultimate Turbo S spec, plus super low miles, we’re not expecting this 997 Turbo to be with us for long.