The most powerful Porsche 911 ever built for the road is as quick to accelerate as a Bugatti Veyron – not that the subtle styling would let you guess it.
Hybrid technology is to thank for the most powerful Porsche 911 ever sold to the public, the 2026 Turbo S, due in Australian showrooms by mid-next year priced from $577,300.
Once mocked in its use in eco cars such as the Toyota Prius, the assistance of an electric motor allows the latest 911 Turbo S to rocket from zero to 100km/h in 2.5 seconds, as quick as a Bugatti Veyron.
It claims outputs of 523kW and 800Nm, most of which comes from Porsche's new 3.6-litre twin-turbocharged 'flat' six-cylinder to replace the outgoing 478kW/800Nm 3.8-litre non-hybrid twin-turbo unit, which powered the old model from 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds.
The engine is a twin-turbocharged version of the single-turbo 3.6-litre unit in the 911 GTS, which uses the same T-Hybrid technology to assist the six-cylinder, and help spin up the turbos under low throttle load, rather than being able to drive the wheels on electricity alone.
The 1.9kWh battery pack is recharged by the petrol engine, or under braking, and is mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Despite the new hybrid tech adding 85kg to the car, Porsche claims a zero to 200km/h time of 8.4 seconds, 0.5sec quicker than before, towards a top speed of 322km/h.
Standard are 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels with 10mm-wider rear tyres and a new rubber compound, while the carbon-ceramic brakes measure 410mm at the rear (up 20mm) and 420mm up front, both with new pads.
The lower front diffuser, and rear spoiler incorporate active aerodynamics – reducing the coupe's drag coefficient by 10 per cent in its most aero-efficient form – plus active cooling on the front air intakes.
The T-Hybrid system runs at 400 volts, allowing Porsche to install electro-hydraulically-controlled anti-roll bars intended to minimise body lean in corners, as well as a faster-to-respond front axle lift system for clearing speed bumps.
Other changes include a new standard-fi sports exhaust system which boosts noise and saves weight, all combining for a lap around Germany's Nurburgring race track that is 14 seconds quicker than its predecessor (now 7min 3.92sec).
Wider than the regular 911 Carrera range, the updated Turbo S gains unique, restyled front and rear ends, new-design centre-locking wheels, and 'Turbonite' grey badges and accents, to join the flagship variant's signature rear wheel-arch intakes.
Inside, Turbonite-coloured accents are used on the door panels, steering wheel, dashboard, centre console surrounds, Sport Chrono stopwatch, and instrument cluster, as well as the seatbelts.
Carbon-structured interior accents with neodyme-hued trim and a perforated microfibre headliner are now available.
Two seats are standard fitment in the coupe – with a four-seat layout a no-cost option, or standard in the Cabriolet – while HD matrix LED headlights, the Sport Chrono Pack with retuned suspension, and a titanium sports exhaust are standard.
Also included in all models sold globally are 18-way power-adjustable front seats seats with Turbo S headrest embossing.
Australian versions are also sold as standard with a 360-degree camera, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, lane-change assist, keyless entry, digital radio, and on the coupe, the no-cost option of a rear wiper.
Options through the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur catalogue include a carbon-fibre roof and side air intakes, clear-lens tail-lights, decorative interior stitching, personalised seat embossing and car keys, and for the first time, lightweight carbon-fibre wiper blades.
The 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S is now available to order in Australia, ahead of first deliveries due to commence in the second quarter of next year (April to June).
It is priced from $577,300 plus on-road costs for the coupe, and $598,000 for the Cabriolet – both up $38,600 over the outgoing Turbo S body styles.
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
