Used 2010 Porsche 911

In the world of premium sports cars few names stand as strong as the Porsche 911 Turbo. The rear-engine rear-drive icon has dazzled performance driving fans around the world since it was added to the 911 lineup in 1974. With so much of the Porsche mystique tied to the success of the 911 Turbo, it is understandable that changes to the model tend to be subtle and deliberate. The current generation 911 Turbo, internally dubbed the 997, was launched in 2006 and carries on for 2010 with light exterior revisions and more extensive mechanical improvements. Available in coupe or convertible body styles, the 911 Turbo remains one of the most recognizable desireable performance cars currently sold.

Part of the mystique surrounding the Porsche 911 Turbo is based on its reputation as a fast car with a tendency to catch inexperienced drivers off-guard. Whatever fickleness might have existed in previous generations has been exorcised from the current version. On the race track the Porsche 911 is a supremely controllable car that rewards more experienced drivers without intimidating those with less experience. Handling limits are high, the steering is precise and communicative, and the brakes deliver arrester hook-like stopping power. As expected of a car with 500-horsepower, the 911 Turbo accelerates very quickly. A standard all-wheel-drive system helps get the power to the ground, but when pushed the 911 Turbo retains the lively feel of a rear-drive car. Despite its on-track excellence the 911 remains quite driveable on the streets, thanks in large part to the standard PASM active suspension system that lets the driver adjust damper firmness between comfort and sport settings.

Given the 911 Turbo’s premium status, interior appointments are appropriately luxurious with high-quality materials and a tasteful, uncluttered dash design. Placed front and center is a 6.5-inch touch-screen display for the standard navigation system, while 13 speakers (12 in the Cabriolet) are scattered about the cabin making up the excellent sounding Bose audio system. The latest generation 911 continues to offer four seats, but only enough room to comfortably accommodate two passengers. The modest rear seats are best used to hold whatever luggage doesn’t fit in the decent-sized front trunk but can accommodate tolerant modest-sized adults in a pinch.

From its round headlights and inset hood, to its long-sloping roofline, pronounced rear fenders and distinct rear spoiler, few cars possess as distinct a shape as the Porsche 911 Turbo. To help retain the 911’s timeless design, changes from generation to generation tend to be subtle, with mid-cycle refreshes – like those made for the 2010 model – are often noticed by only the most dedicated Porsche-philes. New details for 2010 include bi-xenon headlights, LED running lights, LED tail lights and larger rear exhaust outlets. Buyers can still choose between coupe and soft-top cabriolet body styles.

PDK Transmission
The proper name for the 911’s optional twin-clutch seven-speed transmission is Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe. Simply called PDK in America, it offers the control and direct feel of a manual but with quicker shifts than any driver could achieve. Offering the best of automatic and manual transmissions, without the need for a clutch pedal, we’d think twice about passing up PDK.

Launch Control
Coupled with PDK and the Sport Chrono Package is Launch Control, a system that deftly manages the engine, transmission and available traction to deliver blistering acceleration. In fact, with Launch Control, PDK-equipped 911’s out-accelerate their manual-transmission counterparts.

The Porsche 911 Turbo’s standard feature list includes bi-xenon headlights with washers, 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, automatic climate control, cruise control, power front seats with driver-side memory function and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Luxury features like a leather interior, Alcantara headliner and a premium 385-watt Bose audio system with 6.5-inch touch screen display are also included. Standard safety features include anti-lock brakes (ABS), stability and traction controls, tire pressure monitoring and six airbags.

There are several options offered to enhance the already well equipped Porsche 911 Turbo. A universal audio interface includes three ports for listening to a variety of personal music players. The Sport Chrono Package adds a dash-mounted lap timer, dynamic engine mounts, and launch control in PDK models. Buyers focused on maximum performance can opt for the PDK twin-clutch transmission, a PDK sports steering wheel with Zinc paddle shifters, pricey $8,840 ceramic composite brakes or the new Porsche Torque Vectoring System that enhances agility by selectively braking either the right or left rear wheel when cornering.

The 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo features a brand new 3.6-liter engine. By using twin turbochargers, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, the engine produces a stout 500-horsepower from its relatively small displacement. Helping to minimize the effects of turbo lag are variable geometry turbochargers. Although the effect was minimal we did still noticed some lag at low rpms in higher gears. Buyers have the choice of a standard six-speed manual transmission or Porsche’s excellent PDK twin-clutch seven-speed transmission. Models equipped with the optional Sport Chrono Package feature an "overboost" function that increases maximum torque from the standard 480 pound-feet up to 516 pound-feet.

3.6-liter Boxer-6
500 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
480 lb.-ft. of torque @ 1,950-4,000 rpm
516 lb.-ft. of torque @ 2,100-4,000 (Overboost)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 (manual), 17/25 (PDK)