2001 Porsche 911 Turbo

Cockpit of the Turbo is identical in design to its 911 Carrera kin but adds upline standards like leather upholstery, power seats, a killer sound system and a moonroof.

Make no mistake, this is the quickest and best-behaved 911 Turbo the Porsche factory has ever released for civilian use. The rare amalgam of blistering speed with politically correct manners has been achieved by astutely blending tradition and technology. Continuity with past Porsches comes from an instantly recognizable exterior profile—albeit one that boasts uniquely aggressive front and rear fascias—an ignition switch respectfully stuck to the left of the steering wheel, and a clutch pedal that's agonizingly difficult to coordinate with an indulgent throttle foot. Inside, the basic Carrera 4 look predominates, although the Turbo's roster of standards has been expanded to include items like leather upholstery, dual power seats, sunroof, a premium sound system and a trip computer.

Twin-turbochargers and variable intake valve timing help the liquid-cooled 3.6-liter flat six make 415 horses at 6000 rpm and 413 pound-feet of torque from 2700 all the way up to 4600 revs.

Fresh inspiration comes from a 3.6-liter oil- and water-cooled flat-six-cylinder engine, derived from the same powerplant that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998. This is matched with an exceptionally well-sorted, all-wheel drive package (refined from the 5th-generation model) and an electronic stability-assist system that adroitly applies one brake at a time to correct your inevitable errors in driving judgment and help overcome the effects of having an engine hanging out the back. Behind the rear axle, sticky 18-inch tires working with 13-inch diameter brake rotors squeezed by equally massive, 4-piston calipers produce nearly enough stopping power to arrest a freight train, let alone this 3400-pound Porsche-badged bullet. And for those not satisfied with flaunting a set of keys representing a $111,765 price of entry, there's a particularly tantalizing option that will impress even the most jaded exotic-car connoisseur: $7500 carbon-ceramic brake rotors that trim 44 pounds of unsprung weight from the chassis.


If you've been seeking creative ways to squander your successors' inheritance, the new Porsche 911 Turbo is without question the preferred means of travel.