• 

  Porsche is confident the newest Turbo and GT3 will get buyers back to their showrooms. Photo Gallery

Just three numbers are enough to any enthusiasts' hearts beat a little faster - 911.

But the global financial crisis has caused heartache of a different kind for German carmaker Porsche. Over the past 12 months the brand has taken a big sales hit internationally as cash-strapped buyers withdraw. Even local sales have plunged 23 per cent this year.

However, Porsche Cars Australia managing director, Michael Winkler, is confident of a slow recovery with the newest Turbo and GT3 resuscitating buyers. The just-unveiled 997-series Turbo arrives in January with the GT3 beating it by a couple of months.

"The bottom line here in Australia is that we're a top-end market with the 911," Winkler says. "We always do very well with GT3, GT2s, and very well with Turbos."

"So I would expect that between the new GT3 and new Turbo we will end up with about 40 per cent of all 911 models next year. It always goes in those cycles."

The latest Turbo is lighter and faster, yet more fuel efficient. Porsche says the Turbo's boxer-six is the first entirely new engine in its 35-year history. For the first time too, Porsche's seven-speed PDK double-clutch gearbox is available, joining the six-speed manual.

Engine capacity has increased from 3.6-litres to 3.8-litres and the Turbo gets twin turbocharging with variable turbine geometry, as well as direct fuel injection and a new expansion intake manifold first seen on the GT2.

The supercar develops 368kW at 6000 revs and 650Nm from 1950 revs to 5000 revs with an overboost function that lifts torque to 700Nm. Fuel economy has been trimmed to 11.4 litres/100km for the seven-speed PDK-equipped model, based on European figures. With a top speed of 312km/h, the Turbo matches the GT3 and is the second quickest Porsche after the GT2.

With the standard six-speed gearbox, the Turbo is quicker to 100km/h than the GT3. It will hit 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds - versus 4.1 seconds for the GT3. With the optional PDK and Sport Chrono Package, which includes dynamic engine mounts and overboost function the 100km/h sprint drops to 3.4 seconds. Both the manual and PDK reach 200km/h in less than 12 seconds.

As a nod to the planet, the latest Turbo produces up to 275 g/km less harmful CO2 emissions, 18 per cent less than its predecessor.

The car's all-wheel drive system has been improved and is supported by what Porsche calls "torque vectoring", essentially a mechanical slip rear differential to switch drive variably on the rear axle.

The newest Turbo arrives early next year with a pricetag expected to be slightly more than the current car's $361,100. Winkler is cautious with sales expectations and does not expect the car to peak with 100-odd sales in its first year. "Times are different now," he says.

All up there are about 250 911 Turbos on Australian roads. "We sold about 100 the first year, about 75 the second year and 50 the third year," Winkler says. "I wouldn't be so bold to say that we're going to immediately have a record year again."

The Turbo debuts at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, which starts on September 17.

Read more stories from the Frankfurt Motor Show