2005 Porsche S Review

Specifications

New Turbo S Boasts 444-HP

Porsche, being one of the most respected sports car makers on the globe, probably doesnt need a performance designation such as BMWs M, Cadillacs V or Mercedes-Benz AMG to cause its top-tier cars to stand out from their lesser powered siblings, but nevertheless the “S” appliqué branded to the back of the quicker Boxster S will make its way over to the 911 this coming year.

The S is nothing new, however, having adorned the 1966 through 75 911S which featured 30 additional horsepower over the regular 911 of the era, as well as Fuchs alloy wheels that cut a total of twenty pounds (5 pounds per wheel) from the cars unsprung weight. For these reasons this particular classic Porsche is much sought after.

Will the new 2005 911S, rated at 355 horsepower, be as collectable after more than three decades as the original is now? Only time will tell, of course, but one things almost for certain, the upcoming Turbo S will be even more desirable.

Turbo S? Thats right. Porsche announced on May 20 that an S-line would be added to the 911 Turbo series, on both the Coupe and new Cabriolet. The 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged horizontally opposed six cylinder engine, the same for fixed and drop-top models, gets massaged to an even more robust 444 horsepower, up from 415 in standard Turbo trim, and 457 lb-ft of torque, available from 3,500 and 4,500 rpm, compared to 415 lb-ft of torque in the regular Turbo. Only the current X50 engine upgrade makes more power in stock trim, at 450-hp.

As expected performance is up due to the additional power, with 0.8 seconds being knocked off standing start sprints to 200 km/h (124 mph) over the regular Turbo, 13.6 seconds being the final number. Top speed is now 307 km/h (190 mph), making it the fastest stock 911 Turbo ever offered - not counting the limited edition 1989 959 that managed an interstellar 329.9 km/h (205.0 mph). Porsche didnt provide performance figures for 0 to 60 mph standing starts, but it should come close to the current 911 Turbo with the X50 performance upgrade, which managed the feat in 4.1 seconds.

The new Turbo S adds standard Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), further developed over Porsches previous generation top-tier binders. With a diameter of 13.78 inches front and rear, the internally ventilated ceramic discs are actuated via 6-piston monobloc fixed calipers up front, more powerful than the 4-piston calipers used on the standard 911 Turbo. Why ceramic composite brake discs? According to Porsche the technology provides a 50 percent weight savings compared to conventional metal discs, reducing unsprung weight while improving shock absorber response and overall handling dynamics.

The quickest way to tell a Turbo S from its more “common” siblings will be the scripted “S” on the rear decklid, but additional badging will also be added to the door moldings and center console. The Turbo S will be further differentiated by exclusive 18-inch alloy rims painted in “GT Silver” metallic with colored Porsche crests.

The Turbo S also features cruise control and a 6CD changer as standard equipment, plus a special green-tinted band at the top of the windscreen. Whats more, dark olive metallic paint will be a no-cost option on this model only.

Aluminum gauge faces and a Turbo S logo on the tachometer spice up the Turbo S interior, while a specially designed leather interior option sets the Turbo S seats, steering wheel, shift lever and hand brake lever apart from other 911s.

Unfortunately the Turbo S interior will not be updated like the regular 911 for 2005, the latter that features plastics quality and fit and finish approaching the levels set by the nicely appointed Cayenne SUV. The Turbo will continue for the time being with the current 911 interior, which just doesnt come across anywhere near as well made as the Cayenne, due to second rate interior plastics. The full leather package makes a big difference, but its a seriously expensive upgrade that buyers paying $173,400 for the base 2004 Turbo shouldnt have to put out for.

With the outgoing models base price in mind, how much will the 2005 Turbo S cost? Options aside, the 911 Turbo S Coupe will sell for a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $131,400 and $141,200 for the Cabriolet. Both models will go on sale later in the year.

And Porsche couldnt have timed its arrival any better. The German carmaker has seen a healthy 18.2 percent rise in sales to 61,496 units and 14 percent increase in revenues to $6.16 billion over the first 10 months of its business year, from August to May. In the same period production has increased by 14.9 percent to 66,454 units. But it hasnt been on the back of the brands supposed volume leading Boxster, which has experience the slowest sales of all Porsches models at 10,490 units, a 34.3 percent reduction. Porsches 911 sales are slow too, dropping off by 19.9 percent to 18,986 vehicles in the 10 month period, partly in anticipation of the upcoming 2005 model which includes the new 911 S coupe and convertible, plus the Turbo coupe and convertible in base and S modes.

Porsche needs the new 911 in all of its guises to boost sales. The automakers iconic new Carrera GTs 124 sales arent going to do much for sports car volume, at least not directly. And if the new 911 doesnt reignite car sales Porsche will go from being a sports car company to a brand that sells more SUVs than cars. Before the Cayenne, who could have ever imagined an image problem like this could be possible? The fact is, Porsche sold a staggering 31,896 SUVs over the same 10 month period, 2,296 units more than Boxster, 911 and Carrera GT sales combined - a 29,600 unit total.

The new 2005 911 should restore the natural order of Porsche, single-handedly turning it back into a sports car company while still allowing it to flourish from Cayenne profits. At the top of the 911 pecking order, the new Turbo S will no doubt take everything Turbo lovers appreciate about their favorite ride and kick it up a notch or two. Ive driven a lot of Porsches over the years, quite a few of them featuring twin-turbos. The 2005 Turbo S coupe and cabriolet versions sound especially enticing, improving on a power delivery and at the limit handling; two attributes that I never imagined could be improved upon. Now I know never to say never when speaking about Porsche.