Porsche unveils 2014 911 Turbo and Turbo S

Porsche has unveiled the 2014 911 Turbo and the Turbo S. The 911 range completes 40 this year and still follows the same four decade old formula but continues to be listed among the top ten desirable vehicles in the world of rear-wheel drive cars. The 2014 cars feature changes both inside and outside and have been fitted with a whole load of new technology.  

Let us begin with the most important bits – the engine and underpinnings. Both the cars are powered by a 3.8-litre six-cylinder mill that produces 527PS in the Turbo and 567PS in the S version. Power is transmitted to all four wheels via Porsche’s seven-speed PDK (double clutch transmission) and a four-wheel drive system.  Like the 2013 Carrera 4 that was launched last year, the new 911 is wider and consequently it sits lower to the ground allowing for better handling.  

Porsche has also fitted the 2014 911 with something called rear-wheel steer which is exactly what it sounds like; an electronically operated system replaces the conventional control links and allows the steering angles to vary up to 2.8 degrees depending on the speed of the car. Porsche says that this is an advantage during cornering as it shortens the wheelbase significantly. It works the opposite way when the car is at speeds above 90kmph and increases the wheelbase giving the driver increased control. The car also features a three-stage retractable spoiler as well as a rear wing. The front spoiler is also adjustable for increased aerodynamic efficiency.  

 Inside, apart from the usual luxuries, the new models have now been fitted with sports seats, two tone interiors, radar guided cruise control, camera based road sign recognition and optional leather seats. Porsche is for the first time offering a Burmester music system as an optional extra in place of the standard Bose system.  

The 2014 Porsche 911 has been priced at 148, 300 USD (Rs 80.22 lakh) while the Turbo S has been priced at 181, 100 USD (Rs 97 lakh) and deliveries will begin for the US market at the end of the year. Since Porsche is owned by VW that is also the parent company for a whole host of manufacturers like Audi, Seat, Skoda and Bugatti-we can expect that one way or another there will be a technology transfer to the other manufacturers soon.