Maximum downforce for sporty driving and minimum drag for max speed and fuel economy. Saving a few drops of fuel may not seem like the most important aspect of a car with 640 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque, but Porsche has always tried to push the edges of what may seem possible in its sports cars.
Rear wing
The new rear wing weighs about a pound less than the previous active wing through the use of lightweight materials, but it also has an 8% larger effective area. Its coolest new feature is its ability to act as an airbrake. If you hit the brakes hard at speed, the wing quickly moves into the “Performance position.” Porsche says this results in shorter braking distances and greater stability under heavy braking.
The rear wing and all other active aero are set to their maximum stability positions to keep the rear end glued to the wet surface as best as it can. Driving at high speeds is done in the “Performance II” position, which reduces the angle of attack when speeds exceed 162 mph. This reduces drag and also reduces the load on the rear tires, allowing Porsche to optimize tire pressures for high-speed maneuvers and everyday comfort to a greater extent than before. An “Eco” position with minimal wing is also available over a greater range of speeds
Front spoiler
An active front spoiler is less common in sports cars these days, but it’s an extremely useful feature. Porsche has enhanced the front spoiler from the previous 911 Turbo, because of course it has. Extension and retraction is quicker than before — the three segments are inflated via an air compressor. The module that runs the system is smaller than before, allowing for the tiniest bit more room in the front trunk (0.1 cu-ft).
When the extra downforce isn’t needed, the spoiler disappears and gives you greater clearance for parking and steep driveways. Ask for more downforce by swapping it into sportier modes, and the spoiler extends for maximum front downforce. High speed driving will only extend the outer areas of the lip so as to direct air around the car and reduce front lift.
Cooling air flaps
This feature is entirely new for the 911 Turbo S. The flaps in the front bumper pictured above are continuously adjustable, allowing the car to decide how much air it wants through the radiators. A computer decides what the best balance is between cooling, aero and the power it takes to run the radiator fan. Porsche says that results in the flaps being closed at speeds below 44 mph, while the flaps are 100 percent open above 93 mph. The flaps are also open when the driver manually puts the car in Sport, Sport Plus and Wet modes. It’ll also open up when stability control is turned off or the spoiler button is depressed.
0 Comments