If you were wondering whether Porsche's premiere 911 Turbo S model was going to make a return in 997 guise, you can now sleep easy. Porsche has announced that it will bring back its popular 'Turbo S' variant for the 2010 911 range and the car will make its debut at the Geneva motor show.
Mechanically, the Turbo S is largely identical to the "lesser" 911 Turbo, but the twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six receives a modest bump in power. Output has been boosted to 530 horsepower, a 30-horsepower gain over the Turbo. Porsche says the engine cranks out a maximum 516 pound-feet of torque between 2100-4000 rpm -- identical to a 911 Turbo equipped with the Sport Chrono package.
That package -- an option on the Turbo -- is one of several performance-tuned options made standard on the Turbo S. Each S model comes equipped with carbon ceramic brakes, dynamic engine mounts, a torque-vectoring rear differential, and Porsche's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission ("PDK"). S models also receive 19-inch "RS Spyder" aluminum wheels, dynamic cornering lights, two-tone leather seating, and a six-disc CD/DVD changer as standard equipment.
Porsche says pricing for the Turbo S coupe and cabriolet will start at $159,100 and $170,200, respectively -- roughly $2000 more than a similarly equipped 911 Turbo. If that's justifiable for the extra power and a slightly quicker sprint to 62 mph (3.3 seconds, versus 3.4) -- then look for cars to arrive at U.S. dealers in May.