2016 Porsche 911 Turbo S quick spin review

Price: From $456,200 plus on-road and dealer costs.

Vitals: 3.8-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol, 427kW/750Nm, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, 9.1L/100km, AWD.

What is it?

The fastest and most powerful version of  Porsche's iconic 911, and one of the quickest cars on the planet.

What it isn't

It's not slow, with a claimed ability to run from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds. And nor is it cheap, as it commands a premium of over $70k more than the regular Turbo - which is hardly a slouch to start with.

What does it say about me?

That you have a lot of money and want to swing the biggest bat around the corporate carpark.

Who else is buying it?

Anything that hails a near half-million-dollar pricetag is only going to be accessible to a small and elite section of the community.  While show ponies may choose a more flamboyant supercar, the Turbo S is for those that appreciate its useability as well as its performance.

What colours does it come in?

There's 16 colours on the regular palette with four standard colours (black, white, yellow and Porsche's iconic Guards Red) and six metallic hues that include silvers, blacks, greys and blues plus four special colours that cost an additional $5990, such as Carmine Red, Lava Orange, Miami Blue and Mahogany Metallic. Porsche also offers more expensive custom colour options for those that want to personalise their machine.

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

Clint Eastwood; like the all-American hero, the 911 Turbo S is a national icon and is classy, smart, flexible and strong enough to mix it with the fittest newcomers even after all these years. Take 'em on at your peril.

Why would I buy it?

Because it defies logic and physics like no other supercar by not only being one of the quickest cars on the planet but also so docile to drive and easy to live with everyday.

Best bits?

Where do you start... every element of the 911 Turbo S is phenomenal. But it's the way it all works together that makes the car so impressive, from the way it launches like a rocketship to just how comfortable it is to drive around town.

Worst bits?

It's price is pretty eye-watering, especially considering you could almost buy a new Macan SUV and a regular 911 Turbo for the same coin.

Will it let me down?

It's highly unlikely, as it feels rock solid in the way it is built and engine never feels stressed, even with its additional boost pressure.

Does it cost too much?

Yes and no. No because it is a legitimate supercar that is better than most of its rivals in the big league, like the Lamborghini Huracan, Audi R8 and McLaren 650S. And yes because it's hard to quantify why you'd spend the additional $70k over a standard 911 Turbo when it is already so good.

Will I get a deal?

Probably not, unless a dealership had a demonstrator model with a few kays already under its belt.

Will it get me noticed?

Probably not as much as a mid-engined machine like the Lambo or McLaren, but it is still a Porsche and those in the know will appreciate the S badge.

Does it go?

Does it ever... Porsche claims the Turbo S can bolt from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds, amking it among the quickest cars in the world. The German brand is also fairly conservative with its claims and it could be even a fraction of a second quicker than that. The best thing is it so simple you're Nanna could do it!

Does it like corners?

With 325mm wide rear tyres, all-wheel drive traction and chassis dynamics that have been tuned by wizards, the 911 Turbo S slices through the bends with eye-popping performance.

What about bumps?

Those wizards have also - somehow - made the 911 Turbo S not just handle like a sports car should but also ride with a degree of comfort and compliance that not many supercars possess.

What about service stations?

With fuel-saving measures such as stop-start and a coasting function in the gearbox that disengages the clutch when cruising with no throttle input, the 911 Turbo S can be relatively frugal with a claimed average of 9.1L/100km. However, you'll easily see double digits when you tap into its performance potential.

Would you buy one?

Absolutely. It is one of the most well-rounded, easy-to-drive supercars of its generation with blistering performance and above average practicality. But, then again, so is the regular 911 Turbo.

What else should I consider?

Four-hundred-odd grand opens you up to a fair few options in the sports car arena, including dream machines such as the Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, Audi R8 V10 Plus, Ferrari 488 GTB and McLaren 650S. You could also jump into a new-generation Honda NSX for the same money. But they're all mid-engined and don't have the same level of practicality as the Porsche. If you're after a 2+2 coupe, you'll have to sacrifice some performance for the likes of a Bentley Continental GT or a Maserati Gran Turismo.

The spin

Power. Presence.

The translation

It's fast and engaging.