2005 Porsche 911 Turbo S Coupe and Cabriolet Preview

New Turbo S Boasts 444-HP

Porsche, being one of the most respected sports car makers on the globe, probably doesn't need a performance designation

Porsche recently announced that an S-line would be added to the 2005 911 Turbo series, both the Coupe and new Cabriolet. (Photo: Porsche Cars North America)

such as BMW's M, Cadillac's V or Mercedes-Benz' AMG to cause its top-tier cars to stand out from their lesser powered siblings, but nevertheless the "S" appliqué branded to the back of the quicker Boxster S will make its way over to the 911 this coming year.

The S is nothing new, however, having adorned the 1966 through '75 911S which featured 30 additional horsepower over the regular 911 of the era, as well as Fuchs alloy wheels that cut a total of twenty pounds (5 pounds per wheel) from the car's

The S designation is nothing new, having being adorned to the 1966 through '75 911S which featured 30 additional horsepower over the regular 911 of the era, as well as Fuchs alloy wheels that cut a total of twenty pounds (5 pounds per wheel) from the car's unsprung weight. (Photo: Kevin Franke, Flat-6.net)

unsprung weight. For these reasons this particular classic Porsche is much sought after.

Will the new 2005 911S, rated at 355 horsepower, be as collectable after more than three decades as the original is now? Only time will tell, of course, but one thing's almost for certain, the upcoming Turbo S will be even more desirable.

Turbo S? That's right. Porsche announced on May 20 that an S-line would be added to the 911 Turbo series, on both the Coupe and new Cabriolet. The 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged horizontally opposed six cylinder engine, the same for fixed and drop-top models, gets massaged to an even more robust 444 horsepower, up from 415 in standard Turbo trim, and 457 lb-ft of torque, available from 3,500 and 4,500 rpm, compared to 415 lb-ft of torque in the regular Turbo. Only the current X50 engine upgrade makes more power in stock trim, at 450-hp.