Porsche 911 Turbo first drive

We’ve already driven, and been predictably blown away by, the new 911 Turbo in its more powerful, more expensive S form. 

But what of the standard, run-of-the-mill, regular basic new Porsche 911 Turbo, the one that costs just £118,349 and produces a mere 514bhp? It is, in simple terms, pretty much the same car – and it feels every bit as outrageously fast as a consequence.

On paper, there appear to be some notable differences. It doesn't have the S model's ceramic brakes or active anti-roll bars, and it lacks the standard-fit Sport Chrono package. There are some cosmetic differences, too. The standard Turbo manages without the S version's LED headlights.

Then, of course, there's the fact that it's down some 39bhp and at least 29lb ft, resulting in fractionally slower performance – all of which saves you £22,503, compared to opting for the full-fat S model.

I’d defy anyone to notice the difference in pure performance, however, if they were strapped into the passenger seat and forced to wear a blindfold.

Besides the aforementioned, there are some subtle alterations between this and the S model. You don’t get the hydraulic engine mounts in the standard Turbo, for instance, even though these are available if you upgrade to the optional Sports Chrono pack for an extra couple of grand.

As a result, the body control isn’t as clean as it is in the S. This will be more noticeable in the forthcoming cabrio than it is in the coupé, admit Porsche’s engineers.

Similarly, the 0-62mph time rises from 3.1sec in the S to a dismal 3.4sec in the regular 911 Turbo, so traffic light GP desperados really should find the extra £22k for the S unless they want to risk total humiliation at the next outing.

Otherwise, it does effectively feel much like the all-singing, all-dancing Turbo S model. It's devastatingly quick, ferociously capable and utterly effortless, but it lacks the sense of occasion that you might find in a Lamborghini or Ferrari.

To be perfectly honest, the standard Porsche 911 Turbo can do pretty much everything that the S model can, but for £22k less.

Sure, there are benefits to opting for the more expensive model – such as its red line being 200rpm higher than that of the 'regular' Turbo – but out on the road most would struggle to differentiate between the two blown Porsche 911s.

The extra cost of the S model consequently feels a little difficult to justify, especially when the standard model delivers so much accessible performance already.

It doesn’t have that all-important badge on the back, mind, and in certain circles, that’s everything, even if to the rest of us it means not a whole lot.

Porsche 911 Turbo

Price £118,349; 0-62mph 3.4sec; Top speed 195mph; Economy 29.1mpg; CO2 227g/km; Kerb weight 1595kg; Engine 6 cyls horizontally opposed, 3800cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol; Power 514bhp at 6000-6500rpm; Torque 487lb ft at 1950-5000rpm; Gearbox 7-spd dual-clutch auto