Best get used to seeing lots of new 992 derivatives being spied, revealed and driven. Because despite the new generation having been with us for a little while now, we've not yet seen a GTS, the GT3 has only come in a Superbowl ad, and there has to be a GT2 at some point as well. That's before thinking about another T, Targa, or GT3 RS...
For now, though, it's just the Turbo, the 911 that has spent the last 20 years or so - since the 996's arrival, basically - redefining all weather Porsche performance. Where 911 Turbos were once boosty, fighty, generally unpleasant sports cars, the 996 wrapped up that speed and turbocharged excitement into something more accommodating and exploitable - hence the very best cars now commanding more than £50k, which isn't far off GT3 money.
While the 997 continued in much the same vein, the shock value was gone, and so with it the collector appeal. And although the first 991 Turbo felt a little demure to some, the updated 991.2 Turbo brought it back to where flagship 911s should be: the consummate every day sports car that's faster across ground than anything else, while also being fun in the right circumstances.
All will be hoping for a similar result this time around, from a Turbo that's being billed as a 2020 car by our spy sources. Given the standard Carrera was a debutant at the 2018 LA Auto Show, perhaps the California crowds might be wooed by another 911 this year. Details are, of course, pretty scarce at the moment, though it's worth noting the additional intakes to cool a more powerful engine, a deployable spoiler on top of the wing for improved aerodynamics and what looks like a new design of alloy wheel for this Turbo. Behind them sit the yellow calipers that denote Porsche ceramic brakes, which are usually standard on a Turbo S and optional on the standard car. Furthermore, this is our first look at the Turbo interior, which... looks a lot like a 992 interior. With Turbo written on the tacho. And more Alcantara.
Expect this car to inherit a derivative of the old 3.8-litre, twin-turbo flat-six; bear in mind it was already capable of delivering 31mpg and 200mph before and there seems little need to change it. That said, given the 3.0-litre found in the Carrera models has already evolved into the 4.0-litre powering Boxsters and Caymans, perhaps the engine could also be upgraded to the 600hp or so this Turbo will surely require.
As has been the case for a while now, the 992 Turbo will face a wealth of talented rivals in the battle for buyers of the ultimate sports cars. There's the new M8 Competition to consider for starters, as well as more exotic foes in the shape of Audi's R8 V10 Plus and Honda's NSX. Arguably the Bentley Continental GT and McLaren GT could be brought into the discussion, too, given the Turbo's remit is about as broad as its rear arches. While all that is up for debate, one thing is for certain: this is just the beginning for 2020 911 content, as Porsche builds out the 992 range. Don't say we didn't warn you...
Pics: S. Baldauf/S.B. Medien
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