2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe: Enjoy At Your Own Risk

More track-worthy and less for the everyday roads, we test the overachieving 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe - on everyday roads.

Ironically, the most powerful, most dynamic press car I’ve tested to date, in the 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S, perhaps proved to be one I drove most conservative. Why? When you’re behind the wheel of a coupe that reaches 200 km/h in under 11 seconds (and 100 km/h in only 3.3 seconds), a speeding ticket will not only wipe out your HELOC, it will inevitably land you in jail. Or even worse: lead to divorce.

With that said, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is undoubtedly a track car. Freeways and highways reserved for the commoners simply don’t do this coupe justice unless you’re doing at least a buck-fifty and weaving through traffic like pylons, while playground zones, construction zones, and every other speed-prohibiting instrument will just get in the way.

2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe. Photo: Amee Reehal

Last year, the week my son was born, I was testing the 2010 911 Turbo, doing diaper runs at lightning speeds. This year, diaper runs were a little quicker; the Turbo S adds 30 extra horses to the Turbo, providing the Turbo S with 530-hp.

Even better, despite increased power and performance, the Turbo S, at 11.4-L/100km, won’t consume any more fuel than the Turbo.

Plus, options in the Turbo all come standard in the top of the line Turbo S, priced at an even $200,000 MSRP CAD. The only option on my 911 Turbo S was the PDK Gear Selector at $1470.

2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe
2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe. Photo: Amee Reehal

The 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo S, the first Turbo S in five years, is available in either coupe or cabriolet form, both powered by a 6-cylinder boxer engine equipped with a couple turbochargers, making 530-hp and 516lb-ft of torque.

Paired with Porsche’s revolutionary seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox, along with all-wheel drive and Porsche Traction Management, the 2011 911 Turbo S tops out at 315km/hr (195mph). And stopping power is flawless with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB)—a $15,000 option in the Turbo; now standard in the Turbo S.

The Good:

  • 200 km/hr in under 11-seconds
  • Frankly, everything

The Bad:

  • 200 km/hr in under 11-seconds (trouble)
  • Overqualified for the public roads; Turbo S belongs on the track
  • Out of reach at $200,000 when new
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Author:
Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.