Since the launch in 1975 of the 911 Turbo Type 930 in its first 3-litre version, turbocharging has become inextricably linked to this iconic 2+2 sports car. As it evolved throughout the different 911 iterations, the 911 Turbo dynasty has always represented the best in terms of performance for this iconic German vehicle. The 911 GT2 was the only one to slightly surpass it, from the 996 generation onwards. However, contrary to the GT2 which has been first and foremost design to perform on racetracks, the Turbo has always boasted stratospheric capacities while remaining very driveable in everyday life. This became especially true with the introduction of the 993 version, which featured for the first time an all-wheel-drive system on a 911 Turbo. With time, the Turbo line expanded with, amongst others, the “Turbo S” variation, which proved to be even more powerful than the “Turbo-only” models. Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealership in Laval, reviews for you the latest model of this version, the 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S coupe, after taking it out for a test drive on the North-Shore of Montreal.
Body style and design: the absolute best of the 911 Turbo family!
Firstly, let’s talk about the exterior of this very special 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo, awaiting us patiently in the Porsche Lauzon parking lot. Needless to say, the minute we laid eyes on our model, we instantly fell head over heels!
Oval headlights located at the end of the front fenders, aggressive front bumper, very large air intake ducts lodged in the oversized rear fenders and prominent spoiler above the superb taillight strip, which covers the entire width of the rear; our 911 Turbo S amplified all of the already athletic traits of the 992 generation on which it is based on. Moreover, it added all the “Turbo” attributes to this, but with a modern twist.
The combination of the body color, a very exotic Gentian Blue Metallic, and the Satin Aurum 911 Turbo S Exclusive Design wheels, was simply to die for. The result just made our model even more intimidating, charismatic, and elegant. Long before we even left for our test drive, we were already under our Porsche 911 Turbo S’s spell!
Theoretical technical specifications: the most impressive numbers for a 911 to date!
To be worthy of its name, a Porsche 911, especially a “Turbo”, must display outstanding performance. The idea is simple: GT2 excluded, all turbocharged 911s (descendants of the iconic 930) must represent the highest possible levels of power and capacities! However, no need to worry here: once we saw the theoretical technical data given by Porsche Canada, we knew that our 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S was worthy of the brand’s emblem!
In fact, engine-wise, our Turbo S was. powered by nothing less than à turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-6 unit located behind the rear axle, in our high-performance Porsche coupe. It boasts 641 horsepower and a daunting maximum torque of 590 lb-ft., coupled with (in our case) an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission with a dual-mass flywheel. It is also coupled with Porsche’s AWD system which seems to give this super sporty coupe some sort of superpower: 0-100 km/h is performed in 2.7 seconds thanks to the Sport Chrono package on our model, all for a total of a 330 km/h top speed (given by the manufacturer). We expected no less than this incredible performance level from our “Turbo”!
However, if you have read some other test-drives we performed, you know this: no matter how good these numbers look on paper, we never take them as a guarantee for performance. Nothing is better than taking the wheel to find out if they are accurate!
A sporty interior, yet with luxury and onboard technologies that can easily compete with the best limousines!
After taking the time to admire the exterior and examine the technical specifications, we got inside the cockpit. Within a few minutes, it was easy to conclude that it is a true masterpiece! The first thing to pleasantly surprise us was ergonomics: each possible function of our 911 was at our fingertips and so easy to find that it made us feel like we were one with the car!
We were also mesmerized by the interior design. Just like the exterior, the cabin’s classic and streamlined lines make sure that it will remain forever timeless. Moreover, only materials of the highest quality were used like, for example, the superb Exclusive Manufaktur Graphite Blue Leather upholstery found throughout the inside of the car. All the components were precisely adjusted and built to last, just as we would expect from Porsche.
However, it was the onboard technologies that really seduced us: electric seats with 18 settings and with memory function, electric sunroof, night vision assist, lane change assist, adaptive cruise control and a premium Burmester sound system. In short, we had everything we could ever hope for and more, to take our 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S out for the best possible test drive!
On the road: mind-blowing performance that remains easy to use with the highest levels of comfort.
Finally, the time has come to perform our test-drive! After starting the noble turbocharged flat-six engine to ear its metallic growl, we leave the Porsche Laval dealership and head straight to the closest highway.
We did not have to wait for high speeds to be impressed by the incredible levels of comfort this powerful beast had to offer. Even with the unevenness of the road, we never felt any movement in the cockpit, even with such a firm suspension. Rough patches were expertly absorbed and the ride was fluid and seamless. This was mind boggling, especially for a vehicle of this pedigree! As for steering, it was incredibly communicative, and we knew exactly what the front axle was doing at all times.
Then, when accessing the ramp leading to the highway, we had the perfect occasion to test the accelerations of this high-performance Porsche coupe. After barely touching the right pedal, our 2022 911 Turbo S sprung into action with a level of power that simply took our breath away! We quickly decided to confirm these first impressions with a first overtaking manoeuvre, then a second. Each time, our 911 accelerated forward with incredible force, making it seem like it teleported us in front of each car that we left behind. This experience has left us feeling like the 0-100 km/hr stated by Porsche is rather conservative!
After our overtaking test, we arrived at the entry of two consecutive turns which, together, were forming an ““S” shape. We took advantage of this opportunity to review our missile’s capacity to stick to the road at higher speeds, and to see if handling was as impressive as the accelerations! We were not disappointed: barely into the first turn, the front wheels were exactly where we wanted them to be, confirming the surgical precision of the front axle, while the rear axle literally remained glued to the road. Moreover, with the incredible behavior from the suspension, the bends seemed seamless, as we could also tell when we were changing directions for the second turn. Our incredible German car was one with the road. The frame was also so rigid it could only be compared to that of a real race car. Even so, all these manoeuvres remained incredibly fluid, and the comfort felt aboard was superior to the one delivered by the best sports sedans available on the market today. What an incredible experience!
Regretfully, the time had already come to head back. However, the minute following our direction change, an abundant autumn downpour fell from the sky. We figured it would be the perfect time to test out the new Porsche 911 Turbo S’s all-wheel-drive system on the Greater Montreal roads. As expected, it lived up to its amazing reputation, literally gluing the vehicle to the pavement!
Hence, the 911 turbo S is THE ONLY reference in terms of huge horsepower numbers suitable for daily use. Period!
This is exactly how we would sum up our opinion at the end of this incredible 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S test drive: a larger-than-life physique which manages to remain understated and elegant, unparalleled performance that can be accessed safely and easily even in the worst road conditions, as well as a level of comfort and cutting-edge technologies that can be compared to the best limousines out there today. This high-performance Porsche coupe can do just about anything and manages to do it while creating the most exhilarating driving experience!
However, no matter how exhaustive our review is, nothing beats testing out this 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo yourself. Call us today to book your own test drive with one of our specialists at Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealership for the Metropolitan area, including Laval, on the North-Shore! We can guarantee that you will not want to live without it! Once here, we will tell you everything about its prices as well as lease/financing Porsche programs and offers that will allow you to leave at the wheel of YOUR VERY OWN 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo S. Looking forward to seeing you soon at our dealership!