Even the standard Turbo was a powerhouse in the truest sense of the word.
It didn’t set out to impress its driver—it wanted to know if it had earned the driver’s trust. Modern high-performance sports cars display their capabilities with the politeness of a well-trained head waiter. The Turbo never did that. It waited. It tested the waters. And when it finally persuaded its turbocharger to cooperate with full force, something happened that today is known almost exclusively from stories:
The driver had to pitch in.
Then came the little “S.”
A single letter.
In our imagination, the meeting back then in Weissach went something like this.
“The Turbo now has 360 PS.”
“Is that enough?”
“Actually, yes.”
“Actually?”
“Well, yeah…”
“Then let’s just build the engine we actually wanted to build.”
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That’s pretty much how revolutions have to start.
Because officially, the Turbo S subsequently had 385 PS.
Officially.
At Porsche, that word occasionally has the same entertainment value as the fuel economy figures for Italian twelve-cylinder engines. You politely take note of them. But that’s about it.
Anyone who’s ever had the good fortune to experience one of these hand-selected engines on a dynamometer will still marvel today at the remarkable modesty of that factory specification. Four hundred twenty. Sometimes even four hundred thirty horsepower. Not through subsequent tricks. But just as they left the factory.
But the astonishing thing about it isn’t the power.
Power can be measured.
Character cannot.
This engine possesses a quality that has all but disappeared today. It doesn’t care whether its driver has courage.
The driver must settle this question of courage for himself. The turbo simply delivers and doesn’t care whether the driver might be overreaching. He’ll find out.
Those who hit the gas pedal too soon learn humility. Those who are patient experience moments when the word “acceleration” suddenly sounds like an inappropriate understatement.
The Turbo S builds not only speed but also a sense of awe.
We’ll soon reveal everything you need to know about the vehicle presented here, so please bear with us.
With our highest recommendations for one of the most exhilarating machines we’ve had the privilege of experiencing in our company’s history spanning over four decades.
Your dls team
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