Facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo expected to overtake the GT-R

Porsche is updating the 911 Turbo for the 2009 model-year in line with the sport carmaker’s usual practice of changing its models roughly every three to four years. It will be hard to spot the difference between the new and the old as these latest spy images show because most of the changes will be under the sheet-metal.

The facelifted model is expected to get an extra 20hp (15kW) to give it an edge over the new Nissan GT-R and return its supremacy at the Nurburgring. The bump in power is courtesy of a new direct-injection system, which is also expected to improve fuel economy.
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S4cabriofoxone - 12/5/2007 5:39:41 PM

+5 Boost

I had already read about this--20hp more + DSG = dramatically improved acceleration. Very excited. I just hope it's not much more expensive.

yrralis1 - 12/5/2007 11:22:02 PM

+3 Boost

I hear you . I currently have a 2007 997 Turbo and have spent a great deal of time and money to modify it .
I like the new lights and I would never complain about an extra 20HP on top of taking my mods off my current car into the new one .
I would not opt for the DSG though . Not only do I enjoy rowing my own gears but I feel that this new technology might have a few snags and face rapid evolution .
The key question is how much will the car cost ? The current Turbo faced enormous demand at its launch and even still is less seen on the road than other Porsches .

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 12:31:07 AM

+2 Boost

I would be surprised if it costed more than $135K.

I'm not sure if there's any way I can get a Turbo in my garage, because it would necessitate my having only one car instead of my current two, but there are far more practical choices out there for me (Audi S8, BMW M5, etc).

It would make more sense for me to get some kind of AWD sedan next year and a C2S Cabriolet the year after. But I would still really want a Turbo. Simply amazing.

BTW I have DSG on my Audi A3, and it's an awesome technology. Definitely worth buying. It has little room for improvement, actually.

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/6/2007 5:10:51 PM

+1 Boost

Porsche has been working on that DSG for quite some time now. It should have 7 gears.

+ 20 hp and a DSG gearbox with L/C should give it marginal better performance to 60. And 7 gears is too much on a high-torque engine. 5 gears are enough.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/5/2007 8:45:19 PM

+2 Boost

It doesn't "NEED" more power at all. The Turbo would be a scary fast car to drive every day. The horsepower war is getting old.

Which is why I want one, almost as much as I want an Audi R8.

yrralis1 - 12/6/2007 12:18:13 AM

+2 Boost

The 997 Turbo has 480HP yet has an overboost "sport chrono" option which tends to make its way into most of the vehicles. (link below)

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo/featuresandspecs/?gtabindex=1

On top of the current HP the car can be modified quite easily and there are a few which have as much as 700HP as well as reduced weight (lighter exhaust, lighter wheels) , aftermarket suspension, and a variety of parts making the car not only a track star but a luxury power car which has daily driving comfort .

SevorbeupstryIsBack - 12/6/2007 5:12:18 PM

+1 Boost

I don't believe that Nurburgring time until I see/hear it. I visit the Ring many many times and not one person can confirm your story.

GT3RennSport - 12/5/2007 6:30:02 PM

+2 Boost

I find it strange for Porsche to change the power of this model so quickly. Couldn't this really be the new version of the 911 Turbo S?

rybo - 12/6/2007 1:55:43 AM

+2 Boost

The S models usually come right at the end of the car's life cycle. There is still a facelift planned before the next-gen model arrives.

GT3RennSport - 12/7/2007 10:55:16 AM

+1 Boost

You're right. And for what I can see in the picture, this car doesn't have ceramic brakes, which are a characteristic of Turbo S models.

mini22 - 12/5/2007 7:11:01 PM

+1 Boost

No-DI has been in development for a while to improve emmissions and fuel economy. The extra power is an added benefit. DI is already available on the Cayenne and will trickle down to the base Boxster.That said 20 HP will not make that much of a difference in performance. Most likely the new DSG gearbox will help acceleration and should make the Turbo a bit quicker around the ring. I'm guessing the the DSG in the GTR is probably one of the reasons for it's better performance around the ring.

Lexus - 12/5/2007 7:42:17 PM

+2 Boost

Don't get your hope to high because Nissan will bring out the Nissan GT-R spec a year after the base model. The GT-R spec is a lighte version of the GT-r and will have 100+ hp over the base model.

Don't belief me? Do a search on this website there was an article confirming a Nissan GT-R will soon follow the base model.

Heyhuub - 12/6/2007 2:50:07 AM

+2 Boost

Just like there is a 997 GT3 and GT2 already?

KZ258 - 12/6/2007 3:50:23 PM

+2 Boost

the SPEC-V GTR is gonna be the one to beat...carbon fiber body, more horses, etc... Porsches are great cars but the GTR is just insane in terms of speed/handling

weaponX - 12/5/2007 8:17:54 PM

+3 Boost

I need this car in my life!

ThierryHenry14 - 12/5/2007 8:22:54 PM

+2 Boost

Its not a facelifted Turbo, its the Turbo S.

rybo - 12/6/2007 1:56:17 AM

+2 Boost

The S models usually come right at the end of the car's life cycle. There is still a facelift planned before the next-gen model arrives.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/6/2007 1:42:15 PM

+2 Boost

not always true... but that could very well be...

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 12:32:08 AM

+2 Boost

0-60 in 3.6 sec is conservative. Many sources have gotten enthusiastx's time of 3.2.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/6/2007 12:32:27 AM

+1 Boost

Sorry, this reply should be down one.

enthusiastx11 - 12/5/2007 9:25:18 PM

-2 Boost

lol.

the 911 turbo is going to overtake the GT-R?

the not-yet-available GT-R hasn't even overtaken the 2007 911 turbo which produce 480hp, 505lb-ft and hits 60 in 3.2 seconds.

enthusiastx11 - 12/6/2007 11:31:51 AM

-1 Boost

CORRECTION:

http://www.porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-turbo/

480 ande 505. and though the manufacturer claims 3.7 to sixty (conservative as always) it has been independently tested at 3.2.

MunichRob - 12/6/2007 1:05:14 AM

+2 Boost

Looks like Porsche is feeling the heat from a car likely to be almost half as expensive as it, but of course I'm happy they're doing it, can't have a Nissan outperforming you’re most popular supercar!

Matthew1 - 12/6/2007 1:58:21 AM

+2 Boost

Feeling the heat or following the industry standard?

Porsche adding DI should not be confused with Porsche trying to out-do the GT-R.

ThierryHenry14 - 12/6/2007 1:44:33 PM

+3 Boost

feeling the heat? I think Matthew hit it right on the mark. Its Autospies that are comparing these two constantly. I challenge you to go on Porsche's website and find the words GT-R. You will not find it, because they are not concerned. Different demographics, different buyers.

LE34 - 12/6/2007 4:29:20 AM

+3 Boost

Porsches are fantastic cars. They've lot of cards in their hand.

EL34 - 12/6/2007 6:54:22 PM

+2 Boost

This new Porsche 911 Turbo will destroy the GT-R in every depatment and I'm just stating a fact of life ;)