This is the new Porsche 911 Turbo, and it is not as fast as 2020’s mind-bendingly capable Porsche 911 Turbo S; a car we found quite compelling indeed. No, this being the baby brother to that S, means everything’s been turned down.

You’d still be wise before you took it on, mind, because like its big brother it’s bloody quick. Total power now sits at 580hp and a healthy 750Nm of torque. Down on the Turbo S’s 650hp, but nearly 40hp more than the last-gen, 991 Turbo. Also, 580hp is quite a lot anyway.

(Click HERE to read about a 996 Turbo and a 992 C4 S)

Especially when it manifests as 0-100km/h in 2.8s (a mere tenth of a second down on the S), delivered via that frenetic 3.7-litre flat-six twin turbo engine slung proudly out back.

Flat out on an autobahn or on a really, really long circuit straight, it’ll hit 320km/h. That pesky 992 Turbo S, because it’s a know-it-all, goes 330km/h.

Still, the engine’s quite amazing. It’s fancy, naturally, featuring such hits as VTG, which adjusts the intake boost according to engine speed and load. There’s a new charge air cooling system, and “highly accurate” piezo fuel injectors to better throttle responsiveness.

To use a probably terrible cliché, think of them like little fuel snipers.

It’s four-wheel-drive because it’s a Cap T Turbo, uses an 8spd PDK gearbox, and – claims Porsche – will return between 12-12.5l/100km.

Chassis wise, it’s wider on both axles than the old Turbo – 42mm more up front, 10mm at the back – features Porsche’s traction management setup (able to transfer higher torque up front), bigger brakes, active dampers (PASM), or the option of PASM Sports suspension which rides 10mm lower and is firmer still.

More options include composite brakes and dynamic chassis control (PDCC). The option to buy a new, now-probably-thinner wallet is conspicuous by its absence. If anyone in 2020 still uses wallets.

You’d be hard pressed to tell this and a Turbo S apart, mind. Apart from the obvious lack of an ‘S’ on the boot. The rear pipes measure four in number (the S has two), there are electric cooling air flaps up front, that active rear spoiler, induction intakes on the rear side panels, and that continuous LED light bar at the back.

Still got that wallet handy? The Lightweight Design pack cuts weight by 30kg via lightweight bucket seats, a rear-seat delete and less insulation (yay!). There’s also the option of a sports exhaust system. Inside, it’s as per the 992 – that is, peerless.

STORY Vijay Pattni