Many years ago, while Top Gear was still a major part of pop culture, Clarkson said the Porsche 911 Turbo S was the fastest car in the world under normal road conditions. Today, we learned this is still true about its 2021 incarnation after it took on a McLaren 600LT.
We know what you're thinking: 600LT... so it's got 50 less hp. But we're still dealing with an extreme speed demon, a true supercar. The LT spits flames through exhaust pipes placed over the engine deck and is one of the best McLarens of all time.
However, in this drag race organized by Carfection, we learn that the gap between a 911 Turbo S and "a really fast car" is vast. Within the first half a second, the Porsche pulls a massive lead on its British rival, which is hardly unexpected.
The claimed 0 to 62mph (100 kph) time of 2.7 seconds tells the story of a 911 that could challenge the Bugatti Veyron. It delivers instant and relentless acceleration, thanks in no small part to the all-wheel-drive system and launch control.
Output numbers don't always tell the whole story, as the Turbo S makes less horsepower per ton than the 600LT. However, under most circumstances, it would even take down the 720S. This is because we're comparing a 2+2 German coupe that has an all-weather grip against a carbon-fiber track tool with RWD.
Excitement and value could be added to this discussion too, forming a more complete picture. A silver Turbo S barely has anything to distinguish itself from a normal 911. It looks like a regular sports car, not one of the fastest motors in the world.
On the other hand, it's also a bargain. The 600LT starts from about $260,000 in America. Suddenly, a $204,000 992-based Turbo S seems reasonable.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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