Porsche: Glamour turbo with an eye on efficiency

The 911 Turbo is Porsche's answer to ever speedier rivals. Photo / Supplied

Fuel economy might seem a mundane preoccupation, but even Porsche cites fuel efficiency as one key to the 911 Turbo it will reveal at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

This car is the German brand's answer to increasingly faster rivals. The 3.6-litre engine's been replaced by a development of the Carrera S 3.8-litre flat six, which Porsche says is the first all-new engine in the model's 35-year history.

That's mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed PDK auto with a bigger clutch, revised ratios and proper steering wheel-mounted paddle shift in place of buttons.

Revisions to the variable vane turbochargers should make this motor more responsive, while intercooler and fuel system changes lift power by 15kW. The new car pours 368kW to all four wheels, the uprated traction management system better distributing torque for a stronger rear bias and livelier feel.

Friskier it may be, but this Turbo's no more thirsty despite the bigger engine. Porsche cut emissions by 18 per cent over its predecessor, and it'll now drink at 11.4 to 11.7l/100km depending on transmission.

Granny's hatch might beat that, but offers nothing like the power potential of this mighty machine - and certainly won't match the Turbo's 3.4-second zero to 100 figure.

The 911 turbo coupe and cabrio go on sale in New Zealand from January next year, from $342,000.