Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (997) ~ 2005-

The 997 Turbo was an impressive continuation of the line, taking performance and handling to new heights.

At the heart of the new car was essentially the same 3.6-litre flat six of the 996 Turbo, but producing 480bhp – a 60bhp increase. This was mainly thanks to a pair of turbochargers with Variable Turbine Geometry (VTG) that effectively gives you the best characteristics of both small and larger turbochargers.

 

VTG has adjustable guide blades controlling the air entering the turbo. At low engine speeds, the blades close to form small openings. The exhaust gas flowing through such a small cross-section is accelerated before it hits the turbine wheel with a high level of energy. As engine speed increases, the guide blades open to allow more exhaust gases to flow through unrestricted and thus regulate the turbocharger pressure to such an extent that no wastegate is required. The car’s Motronic engine management system controls the blades so efficiently that they can go from open to closed in about 100 milliseconds.

 

The 997 Turbo also benefited from PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) and PTM (Porsche Traction Management), the latter used for the first time on a 911.

 

Another first was the fact that the 997 Turbo accelerated faster with a Tiptronic S transmission than it did with manual. The 997 Turbo Tiptronic S, which I’m driving today, will hit 62mph (100km/h) in just 3.7 seconds, and takes 7.8 seconds to reach 100mph (160km/h). The manual-transmission is slightly slower at 3.9 seconds and 8.4 seconds, respectively.

 

• Side air intakes
• Large front intakes with LED indicator strakes
• ‘Turbo’ rear badge
• Part-fixed rear spoiler

 

Cabriolet The Turbo is available in soft-top form with a fully electrically operated hood.

 

Capacity: 3600cc

 

Compression ratio: 9.0:1

 

Maximum Power: 480bhp @ 6000rpm

 

Maximum Torque: 620Nm @ 1950-5000rpm (With Overboost: 680Nm from 2100-4000rpm)

 

Brakes: Front: 350mm discs; rear: 350mm discs; dual circuit, servo assisted with ABS

 

Suspension: Front: Lower wishbones and MacPherson struts with combined coil springs and dampers, plus anti-roll bar Rear: Multilink with combined coil springs and dampers, plus anti-roll bar PASM as standard

 

Wheels & Tyres: Front: 8.5Jx19 with 235/35/ZR19 tyres; Rear: 11Jx19 with 305/30/ZR19 tyres

 

Length: 4450mm

 

Width: 1852mm

 

Weight: >1585kg (manual coupé) 1620kg (Tiptronic coupe)

 

The ‘S’ badge first appeared on a production 911 back in 1968. Then, as with the 997, the suffix signified a more powerful than standard model.