NAIAS: Porsche unveils facelifted 911 Turbo and Turbo S

The facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo S will be the fastest-accelerating 911 production model when it is launched in the UK at the end of this month, with a 0-100 kph time of just 2.9sec – around 0.2 sec faster than its predecessor.

The new 911 Turbo S is also among a select group of road going 911 models to boast a top speed in excess of 320 kph, with official performance claims pointing to a potential maximum of 330 kph – the same top speed achieved by the frenzied 611bhp 911 GT2 RS produced in 2010.  

The new 2016 model year 911 Turbo S, which will be sold in both coupé and cabriolet body styles, retains the same twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre horizontally opposed six-cylinder direct injection petrol engine as its predecessor.

However, detailed changes to the inlet ports within the cylinder head, among other minor modifications to the variable vane turbocharger, have liberated an extra 20bhp, providing the new 911 Turbo S with a stout 572bhp – or more than 150bhp per litre.

No official torque figures for the new car have been revealed, although Porsche sources suggest it retains the same 553lb ft as the old 911 Turbo S owing to loading limitations with its standard seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and four-wheel-drive system.

In line with the facelifted 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the new 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S receive a series of subtle exterior styling upgrades.

Included is an altered front bumper with reshaped cooling ducts, a revised splitter element and twinned LED indicator units either side helping to emphasis the new car’s visual width.

Farther back, there are new look 20-inch centre lock wheels, those on the 911 Turbo now mirroring the size of those used by the 911 Turbo S at 9 inches in width up front and 11.5 inches at the rear. The door handles are also modified to provide them with a more integrated appearance without the plastic shell door inserts of old.

At the rear, there are newly styled tail lamps with added structure to the lenses and altered LED graphics, a redesigned engine lid featuring a new look grille for improved cooling properties as well as re-profiled bumper with new trapezoidal shaped tailpipes. 

Inside, the 2016 model year 911 Turbo and 911 Turbo S receive a new 360mm-diameter steering wheel featuring a rotary driving mode controller. There’s also a new Sport Response feature that allows the driver to call up maximum accelerative potential for up to 20sec in any of the four driving modes – Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, Individual – at the press of a button.

Further changes are focused on the Porsche Communication Management infotainment system, which receives a new touchscreen and improved connectivity functions, including wi-fi. New options include a radar lane change system and a lift function that increases the ground clearance at the front spoiler lip by up to 40mm at low speeds at the press of a button.

More from Detroit Motor Show:

- Ford unveils lightweight EcoBoost engine concept

- Kia unveils Telluride concept SUV featuring 3D printed parts

- BMW launches X4 M40i SUV

- Mercedes reveals new E-Class; to be showcased at NAIAS

- Ford unveils all-wheel drive and hybrid versions of Fusion

- Lexus reveals LC 500 coupe

- Infiniti Q60 coupe revealed