PORSCHE 911 TURBO

Like the Volkswagen Beetle, another iconic car always looming at the back of my head is the Porsche 911. When it was announced in 2007, that Porsche are coming down to India, I thought that they would really be setting up a factory here and would be giving out all those cars at a Mercedes E-class or BMW 5 series price. I was only half right. The starting price of the only one or two car would be similar to the aforementioned cars. The rest all are stratospherically priced for their lack of utility. But then who would mention sports car and utility in the same breath. These cars are meant to be enjoyed and not used as work horses. Cut to the chase, the bottom line is that I wanted to have a go at at the Porsche 911 Turbo in India and my boss was all the more happy to provide that to me.



Looks

The iconic shape of some of the cars is best left untouched and the Porsche 911 Turbo in India is no different. In all these years, it has got a more streamlined body. Those circular head lamps remind one of the Volkswagen Beetle. More or so, over the years, this car hasn’t changed much. Its long smooth bonnet coupled with the short overhangs from the windscreen and those big air dams make this car look like nirvana. The outline of the bonnet looks like someone has plastered this car. The 19 inch Pzero wheels ensure that the car looks very much sinister when viewed from the sides. The aerodynamic wing mirrors are also a thoughtful feature since they help reduce aerodynamic drag. The shark fin like slits at the end of the door shows the rear engined nature of the car. The rear in the meanwhile is a lot compact than one would believe. Unlike a Lambo, one cannot see the engine nestled in its bay. It has got a big diffuser spoiler. The tail lamps are claw shaped and there are two fat tail pipes.

Interiors

Strictly a two seater, this car can only seat two individuals and carry some of their luggage in the bonnet, may  be a suitcase or two(mind you, they have to be small ones, didn’t I tell you that utility and sports cars don’t go hand in hand?). The 3 spoke steering wheel is devoid of any audio or Bluetooth controls because this car is a true sports car and wants its driver to concentrate on driving duties rather than fidget with audio controls. The big white faced dials are standard across the board for all Porsche models. You get auto climate control, good bolstered seats and high quality materials all around. Two golf bags can be fitted at the small rear space and other than that, there aren’t too many cubby holes.

Handling and ride quality

The reason why the Porsche 911 Turbo is a legend is due to its handling and its Indian counterpart isn’t different. The tyre size is 30 for the rear and 35 for the front ones. The suspension setup, as expected is more on the stiffer side but then for everyday driving conditions, it isn’t as uncomfortable say as a Lambo. The handling is first class and few sports car can touch the handling finesse of a Porsche 911 Turbo in India. Be it in a straight road or around twisties, this car wouldn’t disappoint you. You cannot expect a supple ride quality from a sports car but then it isn’t disappointing either with only the bigger of the bumps upsetting its composure somewhat. The steering is the best part. It actually lets you know what  it is doing and at all times.

Engine, performance and fuel efficiency

The engine for the Porsche 911 Turbo in India is the 3.6 liter boxer with 6 cylinders. This engine makes 487 Ps @ 6,000 rpm whereas the torque figure reads as 63.22 kgm @ 5,000 rpm. It is mated with a 7 speed robotized automatic transmission. In launch mode, one has to press the brake pedal fully and when the on screen display shows launch control activated, then release the brake pedal. This would propel the car from 0-100 kmph in only 3.6 seconds. The top speed estimated is 240 kmph.Looking at the way, the engine makes power, this figure seems very realistic. In city speeds, the gearbox, when left in D mode, allows the driver to take over the car’s transmission and fight the turbo lag generated. That is the flip side of this supercar that it isn’t as easy to drive in town as compared to say a Audi R8.

Braking is achieved via carbon ceramic disc brakes at the front and rear. They are aided by a Limited Slip Differential system, Porsche Stability Management (PSM), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) safety system and the usual, ABS, EBD and traction control. Safety is also well tended for adaptive Bi-xenon head lamps, 4 air bags, seat belts with pretensioners and crumple zones.

Fuel efficiency is to be least expected in a sportscar however the Porsche still manages to impress with its 6 kmpl in the city whereas the highway figure of 9.6 kmpl is also good for such a performance.

Verdict

The Porsche 911 Turbo price in India is Rs 1,24,64,000 (ex-show room, Delhi). This would be enough to put off most of the prospective buyers since they can get far more comfortable and every day cars for this price. But then, that steals the charm away from a Porsche. It is meant to be used as a sports car and behaves like one. If you want exclusivity and all those looks in a car, then the Porsche 911 Turbo is the car for you.