Porsche 911 Cabriolet Turbo S review: Top shelf supercar is something special

Hundreds of new models arrived on our shores this year, but there was one that stood out for its raw power and unbelievable poise.

The price alone means it’s unlikely to win any Car of the Year awards, especially when more than $100,000 of that money goes to the government in import duties and luxury car tax, but Porsche 911 Turbo S is a supreme supercar.

Here are five things you need to know about the Porsche 911 Cabriolet Turbo S.

THIS IS THE FASTEST PORSCHE YOU CAN BUY

The 911 is Porsche’s halo sports car, and the 911 Turbo S crowns the range as the most potent model today. When the cheapest 911 is a turbocharged weapon capable of a 4.2 second dash to 100km/h and a 293km/h top speed, the “capital T” 911 Turbo S has to bring something special.

The Porsche 911 Turbo S Cabriolet can go from zero to 100km/h in just 2.8 seconds.

In this case, the new Turbo S has a whopping 478kW of power and 800Nm of torque, enough for the convertible to reach 100km/h in 2.8 seconds before meeting its 330km/h top speed. A lighter, track-focused 911 GT3 is just around the corner, but it won’t catch the Turbo in a drag race.

THE NUMBERS DON’T DO IT JUSTICE

Sophisticated all-wheel-drive traction, a snappy eight-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox and carefully honed launch control systems ensure the Turbo S launches like nothing else. It smacks your head against the seat, squeezes air from your chest and pulls scenery forward in genuinely shocking fashion. While our drive in the Cabriolet took place on the road, we had a chance to sample its coupe cousin on the far side of 300km/h at Sydney Airport in October, where Porsche proved the potential of its top model in unforgettable fashion.

The Cabriolet drop-top can open and close in 12 seconds.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The topless Turbo is a little heavier than the coupe which blunts performance a little. The trade-off is that you’re more exposed to its theatre, taking in the heavily boosted engine’s whistles, flutters and crackles on a brisk drive. The canvas top folds in 12 seconds and can operate at speeds up to 50km/h, meaning you’re unlikely to be caught out by a storm.

Despite its driver focus the 911 still has all the mod-cons you’d want.

YOU CAN USE IT EVERY DAY

This isn’t the loudest, lightest or most track-oriented Porsche, but it is the quickest in a straight line and far more usable on a daily basis than limited models with roll cages and racing harnesses. The Turbo is luxurious and beautifully built, featuring seats with 18-way electric adjustment, a Bose surround sound stereo, 10.9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring and more. Outward vision is far superior to similarly speedy supercars, and the Turbo’s firm ride is comfortable enough around town. Four-wheel-drive traction lends confidence in the wet, where the car can sense moisture from the road and adjust its torque, stability control and driveline responses to suit. You can even option it with a clever system to lift the nose clear of low driveways, active cruise control with automatic stop-and-start to handle traffic jams, and a thermal camera to spot pedestrians or wildlife.

Only a lucky few can afford it.

PORSCHES DON’T COME CHEAP

Here’s the catch. The 911 Turbo S Cabriolet costs $494,500 plus on-road costs (about $530,000 drive-away) before you factor in optional extras – almost $30,000 worth on our test car. The cabriolet costs $21,000 more than the Turbo S coupe, and more than double the price of a standard 911. It’s arguably the most complete supercar on sale, but it’s not twice as impressive as a regular 911 Carrera.

Originally published as Porsche 911 Cabriolet Turbo S review: Top shelf supercar is something special