PERFORMANCE AND DRIVING DYNAMICS

Power comes from its 3.6-liter, horizontally opposed, six-cylinder “boxer” engine,

which uses the boost of twin turbochargers to provide 415 horsepower (SAE)

and 415 pound-feet of torque. Control comes from all-wheel drive, the Porsche

Stability Management system (PSM) and 18-inch wheels with Z-rated tires that

make the latest Porsche Turbo the best-handling version in the model’s history.

“Power is more meaningful when the driver is in complete control,” says Frederick

J. Schwab, president and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “That’s the beauty

of the 911 Turbo. It provides awesome power and amazing dynamic control.”

And for a driver who wants even more power, an optional factory installed X50

engine enhancement performance package ups the turbochargers’ boost to

produce 444 horsepower (SAE).

However, there’s more to the 911 Turbo than brutal power. Porsche designed the

911 Turbo not only for high performance, but to provide long-distance comfort

system and other additional luxury features.

While the new-generation 911 Turbo inspired the front-end redesign of the 911

and design elements only available on the 911 Turbo. Three large intake grills

dominate the lower front fascia and provide cooling air to the car’s three radiators.

Compared to the 911 Carrera models, the 911 Turbo has a wider stance,

particularly at the rear, where the 911 Turbo is 2.6 inches (65 mm) wider to

accommodate the standard 18-inch alloy wheels and massive 295/30 ZR18 tires.

Air scoops integrated into the leading edges of the rear fenders channel air to

the turbocharger intercoolers, while louvers in the sides of the lower rear cover

exit air from the intercoolers. The engine compartment lid carries a two-piece

rear stabilizer wing, the upper part of which automatically rises at speeds above

75 mph (120 km/h) and lowers at 50 mph (80 km/h).

Porsche began using turbochargers in the 917 racecar in the early 1970s and

introduced its first 911 Turbo model in 1974. The 911 Turbo arrived in the United

States for model-year 1976, and with its 234-horsepower engine (U.S.-spec) could

achieve 0-62 miles per hour (0-100 km/h) in 5.5 seconds. Porsche introduced

innovations that increased the reliability of turbocharging, including the exhaust

wastegate to regulate boost pressure and intercoolers to reduce the temperature

of the compressed intake air. From the beginning, Porsche designed the 911

Turbo as a fully equipped grand touring car with a high level of standard luxury features.

Porsche pioneered the all-wheel drive supercar with the limited production 959

of the mid-1980s. Although not imported to North America, the turbocharged 959

became a Porsche legend and paved the way for the first standard-production

all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Turbo, which arrived in the U.S. for 1996.

A racecar-derived 3.6-liter, twin-turbo six-cylinder engine gives the 911 Turbo

staggering performance capabilities. The engine produces 415 horsepower (SAE)

@ 6,000 rpm and sustains 415 lb.-ft. of peak torque from 2,700-4,600 rpm.

Power drives through a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the advanced

Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission as an option.

With power characteristics of a far larger engine, the 911 Turbo can accelerate

from zero-to-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 4.2 seconds. On the test track, the 911

Turbo will sprint from a standstill to 100 mph (160 km/h) in only 9.2 seconds

and can achieve a top speed of 189 mph (305 km/h).

The 911 Turbo engine is based directly on the 3.6-liter engine from the GT1

racecar that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998. (The engine is not a turbocharged

version of the new 3.6-liter unit used in the 2003 911 Carrera models.)

To accommodate the high boost pressure produced by its dual turbochargers,

the engine features a 9.4-to-1-compression ratio, compared to 11.3-to-1 for the

911 Carrera models.

Intake air enters through louvers in the engine lid, flows into a joint air filter housing

and then into the turbochargers. The turbos compress the air to a maximum of

11.76 psi (0.8 bar over atmosphere). From the turbos, the intake air flows

through dual intercoolers (one mounted in each rear fender) and then into the

induction system.

Like all current Porsche engines, the 911 Turbo features double overhead camshafts

and four valves per cylinder. The new-generation 911 Turbo introduced a new

the new system provides continuously adjustable valve timing by using two camshaft

profiles and two sets of tappets to vary both valve lift and duration. The system

helps boost low-end and mid-range torque. Dual valve springs ensure reliable,

high-performance operation.

Sequential multi-port fuel injection features separate fuel mixture control for each

cylinder bank and a coil-on-plug (“distributorless”) ignition system provides quick

response and reliable operation. The ME 7.8 engine control module incorporates

the E-Gas electronic throttle. In place of a conventional throttle cable setup, E-Gas

electronically transmits pedal position to the engine control unit. The new system

provides even sharper throttle response and ensures low emissions.

The 911 Turbo adds an optional X50 engine enhancement performance package

that increases horsepower to 444 (SAE) @ 5,700 rpm and sustains 457 lb.-ft of

peak torque from 3,500 – 4,500 rpm. The new package includes modifications

to the turbo charger, air intake cooler, electronic control unit, exhaust system,

as well as a strengthened transmission. The X50 package is only available as

an option from factory.

The 911 Turbo offers a choice between a precise-shifting standard six-speed manual

transmission or the optional Tiptronic S five-speed automatic transmission. The

six-speed manual features a dual-mass flywheel for low vibration and a hydraulic

clutch for consistent performance.

With the advanced Tiptronic S, the driver can place the shift lever into “D” and let

the transmission do the shifting, or shift into “M” and control gearshifts with

steering wheel-mounted thumb switches.

the driving circumstances and the driving style. During leisurely driving, Tiptronic S

will upshift early to provide a quiet ride and the best fuel efficiency. With quicker

gas pedal action, the transmission responds by raising shift points to hold each

gear longer for crisp response and power. The Tiptronic S transmission draws

from among 250 different shift maps to provide optimal performance at all times.

Even while in automatic mode, the computer-controlled Tiptronic S responds like

a driver working a manual transmission, downshifting or holding lower gears when

cornering and driving on hills. Tiptronic S allows the driver to select manual mode

by pressing an up- or downshift button, even with the shift lever in the “D” position.

The current-generation 911 Turbo uses an all-wheel drive system based on a

viscous multi-plate clutch located directly behind the front differential. Weighing

only 120 pounds (54 kg), the all-wheel drive system in the 911 Turbo qualifies as

one of the lightest such systems in the industry.

The all-wheel drive system directs torque to the front wheels at a rate of five-to-40

percent, depending on available traction and power applied. The viscous unit

compensates for differing wheel speeds during cornering. The 911 Turbo exhibits

outstanding traction on all road surfaces. However, Porsche did not intend the

all-wheel drive system as an all-weather traction assistant.

The four-wheel independent suspension features a Porsche-optimized

MacPherson-strut design in front and a multilink setup in the rear, both with aluminum

suspension components to reduce unsprung weight. Front and rear stabilizer bars

and gas-charged shock absorbers provide flatter cornering. Standard power

rack-and pinion steering yields a quick 2.98 turns lock-to-lock and a tight 34.8-ft.

(10.6-meter) turning circle.

A “staggered” wheel/tire array (wider wheels and wider, lower-profile tires in the

rear) contributes to neutral handling. The standard aluminum hollow-spoke alloy

wheels measure 18 x 8 inches in front and mount 225/40 ZR18 tires; the 18 x

11-inch rear wheels mount 295/30 ZR18 tires.

The 2003 911 Turbo employs the four-wheel vented disc brakes derived from

the Porsche GT1 racecar. One-piece (“monoblock”), four-piston brake calipers

reduce unsprung weight and improve heat dissipation. The front and rear discs

measure 13.0 inches in diameter (330 mm), but differ in thickness – 1.34-inch

(34 mm) in front and 1.1-inch (28 mm) in the rear. The cross-drilled discs dissipate

heat to maintain braking performance and brake feel even under hard usage.

Porsche equips the 2003 911 Turbo with the Porsche Stability Management system

(PSM), an innovation the automaker first introduced on the 1999 911 Carrera 4.

Using data from several sensor inputs, PSM can detect a loss of grip at the front

or rear and reduce instability by applying braking to individual wheels and, if

necessary, altering engine power. PSM can help keep the 911 Turbo going in the

direction the driver steers, especially on slippery roads.

The PSM system operates so quickly that most drivers likely will not feel it making

corrections, and, if activated, the system operates whether or not the driver is

using the brakes. The driver can disengage PSM with a dashboard switch, but,

for safety, PSM will engage under braking and then disengage when the driver lifts

off the brake. While the system provides dynamic handling assistance, Porsche

cautions drivers that PSM cannot counteract the laws of physics.

With the high performance potential of the 911 Turbo comes a high level of occupant

protection. A patented crumple zone body structure protects a reinforced

passenger compartment. Supplementing the three-point inertia-reel seatbelts, the

911 Turbo has seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. All Porsche 2003 models

include dual front airbags plus the Porsche Side Impact Protection System that

includes boron-steel door reinforcement beams, energy-absorbing door panels, and

door-mounted side airbags. The 30-liter capacity sidebags provide additional

protection for the chest, head, and pelvis.

At a customer’s request, a U.S. Porsche dealer can install a system that deactivates

the passenger airbags when a U.S. Porsche-approved child seat is used. The

system features a cross brace with belt lock in front of the passenger seat.

Buckling the special child seat into this brace deactivates the airbags. To install the

system, the dealer also must reprogram the airbag control module.

The 911 Turbo comes equipped with a full slate of standard luxury and security features:

• Anti-theft system with engine immobilizer and alarm

• Automatic climate control with dust/pollen and

  activated charcoal odor filters

• Bi-Xenon headlights (xenon high-intensity discharge

  lights for the low and high beams)

• Heated power sideview mirrors

• Heated windshield washer nozzles

• Leather-covered telescoping three-spoke steering wheel

  with Porsche Crest

• Metallic paint

• Power opening for the luggage and engine compartment

  lids

• Power sunroof

• Power-adjustable full leather seats with driver’s seat

  memory

• Programmable remote locking system

• Trip computer

The remote entry system allows the driver to open the luggage compartment lid

and operate the seat memory function.

Porsche’s new Communication Management system (PCM) comprises tuners, CD

player, navigation system, and trip computer, all linked through Media-Oriented

Systems Transport (MOST) digital databus. The MOST system incorporates light-wave

conductors that exchange data between the individual components without loss

of quality and at ultra-high speeds.

PCM includes a 5.8-inch color screen with its 16:9 aspect ratio and 12-position

keyboard for easily and efficiently entering radio frequencies. The system assures

excellent audio quality.

The navigation module provides such features as road junction zoom-in, dynamic

navigation to avoid congestion, map scrolling so you can see beyond your current

position, tour planning with the ability to memorize as many as eight destinations in a

row and a CD-ROM system that can be used for the navigation system or for music.

The 911 Turbo features the Bose system as standard equipment, while other

Porsche models offer a Bose system as an option. Each Bose audio system has

been custom-engineered for a particular Porsche model.

The Bose automotive music systems combine balanced stereo, a panoramic

soundstage, deep bass and smooth frequency response to produce lifelike music

reproduction even in the challenging environment of a car. Digital amplifiers provide

clean, uncolored sound at any listening level. In the 911 Turbo, 12 advanced

loudspeakers and a subwoofer blend seamlessly into cabin trim, raising and

widening the sound stage and ensuring balanced stereo.

Porsche Cars North America offers customers in the United States and Canada

the opportunity to personalize their cars through two option-selection channels.

Together with the choice of limited-availability special paint colors, the special

options allow a customer to make a Porsche into a truly one-of-a-kind car. The

Porsche Exclusive program offers a wide array of optional features installed at the

factory. Options include custom interior trim packages and individual trim items.

The Porsche four-year/50,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty covers all Exclusive

options, and Porsche dealers can include the cost of the options in the lease or

finance contract.

only from authorized Porsche dealers. Tequipment options include such items as

special wheels, an aerobody kit, instrument panel trim kits, CD changers, and

custom floormats. Customers can order Tequipment options at the time of purchase

or return to the dealership for installation later. While installation of Tequipment

may require some modifications to the car, such modifications do not affect the

standard limited warranty. Tequipment items come with a two-year warranty when

installed by a certified technician at an authorized Porsche dealership.

In addition to the limited-availability special paint colors, Porsche will even paint a

911 Turbo to match a sample from the customer. The Porsche 26-step corrosion

protection and paint process ensures that the custom paintwork meets the same

quality standards as a regular production paint color. The Porsche three-year/unlimited

mileage paint finish and 10-year/unlimited mileage corrosion perforation

warranties apply to any custom color.

Every new model-year 2003 Porsche car sold in the United States and Canada is

covered by a four-year/50,000-mile (80,000 kilometer), bumper-to-bumper limited

warranty, which includes Porsche’s roadside assistance program. The galvanized

body and 26-step paint and anti-corrosion process enable Porsche to warrant each

car against rust perforation for 10 years and unlimited mileage. In addition, Porsche

guarantees the paint finish for three years – also without a mileage limitation.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc., (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its subsidiary,

Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche vehicles for

the United States and Canada. A wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h. c.

F. Porsche AG, PCNA employs some 200 people who provide Porsche vehicles,

parts, marketing and training for its 203 dealers in the United States and Canada.

They, in turn, provide Porsche owners with best-in-class service.

     • Stamped steel unit body

     • Rear engine

     • 2+2 seating

     • Bi-Xenon headlights with integral washer nozzles

     • Two-piece speed-dependent retractable rear spoiler

     • Power sunroof

     • Six-cylinders, horizontally opposed

     • Liquid cooled

     • Modular aluminum crankcase and cylinder heads

     • Forged steel crankshaft and connecting rods

     • Dual overhead camshafts per side

      • Four valves per cylinder

      • VarioCam® Plus system features continuously variable valve

        timing, plus dual camshaft profiles (low-lift and high-lift)

     • Dual turbochargers operating in parallel

      • Dual air-to-air intercoolers

      • Sequential fuel injection with separate fuel mixture for each

        cylinder bank

    • 6-speed manual (Tiptronic® S 5-speed automatic optional)

    • All-wheel drive with viscous multi-plate clutch mounted behind

      front differential

     • Power-assisted, dual circuit 4-wheel disc

      • Vented and cross drilled discs

      • One-piece (“monoblock”) four-piston fixed aluminum calipers

      • Anti-lock control (ABS 5.3)

Front: discs 13.0 in. diameter x 1.34 in. thickness (330 mm x 34 mm)