2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review

Testing fatherhood in the ultimate New Dad Diaper Chariot.

Juggling a 500 horsepower coupe – one of the world’s fastest production cars – the same week as the (unexpectedly early) birth of my first kid proved to be not so daunting after all. Not that I expected it to be, frankly, considering there were no car seats involved. Nor am I drawing parallels between the miracle of life and a raging, 2-door diabolical German freak of nature. I’m just saying that becoming a dad and ripping around in a 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo the same week is pretty f**king badass. Buying diapers has never been so fun.

Under the Hood: A 500 Horsepower 3.8L Twin Turbo

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal
  • Engine: 3.8L twin-turbocharged flat-6
  • Power Output: 500 horsepower
  • Torque: 479 lb-ft
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual or optional 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic
  • Drive Configuration: All-Wheel Drive (AWD)

Ah, the 911 Turbo. Where does one begin with such a timeless, near-flawless piece of debauchery? Let’s start with performance, where 500-hp and 480 lb-ft of torque will slap you silly via a 3.8-litre twin-supercharged flat-six topping out at 312 kph track speed. The Sport Chrono Package with dynamic engine mount system includes a bundle of goodies like Launch Control, propelling this beast 0-100 km in just 3.4 seconds compared to 3.7 seconds otherwise.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal

A 6-speed manual tranny is standard but opt for the optional $6200 PDK 7-speed, as in this tester. You’ll experience the smoothest, most effortless, and unobtrusive power flow gear shifts imaginable using either the wheel-mounted paddle shifters (extra $670 for the gearshift paddles, as in tester) or PDK Gear Selector (additional $1470 upgrade, also in tester) allowing super-quick, short-throw gear shifts up/down with the gear lever minus a foot clutch pedal.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review

I think it’s important to note that, when combined with the PDK system, the 3-spoke steering wheel comes with gearshift switches standard on all 911 Turbo models. In contrast, the gearshift paddles are an option. In the past, I’ve always opted for the gear selector as nearly all press cars came equipped with these shifter switches I wasn’t fond of, basically, buttons nestled within the wheel; press with thumb to shift up, pull with index finger to shift down. Just didn’t feel right. Alas, proper motorsport-style paddles on this 911, and life is good.

911 Turbo Handling and Performance

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo rear view parked at night
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal
  • Suspension: Independent suspension with MacPherson struts
  • Brakes: Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) available as an option
  • Wheels: 19-inch alloy wheels
  • Tires: Front: 235/35 ZR 19, Rear: 305/30 ZR 19
  • Acceleration (0-60 mph): Approximately 3.2 seconds (PDK)
  • Top Speed: Approximately 194 mph

How does the 911 Turbo handle? Close your eyes and imagine this thing with a $12,050 ceramic composite brake upgrade with 380mm ceramic discs up front and 350mm in rear, and you’ll find the answer (then open your eyes and realize I just said “$12,050 brake upgrade” and that this wasn’t really make-believe time).

Combined with an AWD system with map-controlled PTM, rolling on 235/35ZR19 fronts and 305/30ZR19 rears, this 911 doesn’t discriminate against the windy, twisty roadways. It treats all pavement equally at nearly all speeds, no matter what size or shape. And, of course, there’s a slew of other traction control attributes found inside, including the Porsche Stability Management (PSM) and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Interior

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal

The interior of the 911 Turbo encompasses all that is stylish, ergonomic, comfortable, and sporty. Straightforward and sexy, no gimmicks found here. The full leather interior is standard; $590 extra for the Special Leather Cocoa, as seen here. Also standard, power tilt/sliding sunroof; Bi-Xenon headlamps with leveling and cleaning system; Porsche Communication System (PCS) with Navigation and touchscreen (yep, standard); MP3 equipped, CD player with Bose system; Full climate control; amoung others.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Review
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal

Options found in this 911’s cabin include Adaptive Sport Seats at $1560, providing enhanced support features over the standard Comfort Seats; $950 for Bluetooth phone interface (awesome); $600 for Universal audio interface (expensive, not awesome, should be standard); and colour matched floor mats for $210.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo steering wheel at night
2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Photo: Amee Reehal

The sort of paradox and pure brilliance on the part of Porsche is their ability and desire to produce high-powered super sports cars while striving to improve efficiencies. If churning out 500-hp production cars wasn’t enough, these tenacious Germans find ways to do so in the most streamlined, productive ways possible. Brilliant. And frankly, when one is willing to pay a starting price of $165,300 Cdn MSRP for this 2010 911 Turbo, its precisely these efficiencies in engineering one is paying for. Not necessarily the obvious or the tangibles found within the cabin, for instance, but imperceptible stuff like the 911’s 500-hp engine made of alloy, reducing weight, thus fuel consumption.

Many stepped inside this 2010 911 Turbo (or any high-performance coupe, for that matter) with a final price of CAD 191,400 with all options before taxes/fees and hastily asked, “How much is this?” followed by “Wow, is it worth it?” Absolutely. It’s one of those things; Porsche loyalists aside, you’ve just got to experience it to understand the value, to feel the engineering as you push the throttle, when you dive into tight turns at not-so-slow speeds, when you push that magical ‘Sport Plus’ button that actually, honestly does do something. Realizing value need not always equate to cosmetics or the obvious, but to dig deep and recognize that nearly 200K is in fact a reasonable price point for one of the most prolific sports coupes around. Personally, I’d take a 911 Turbo over a flashy Lambo Gallardo any day.

…on that note, it’s time for another diaper run.

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Specs

CategorySpecification
Engine3.8L twin-turbocharged flat-6
Power Output500 horsepower
Torque479 lb-ft
Transmission6-speed manual or optional 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic
Drive ConfigurationAll-Wheel Drive (AWD)
SuspensionIndependent suspension with MacPherson struts
BrakesFour-wheel disc brakes with ABS and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) available as an option
Wheels19-inch alloy wheels
TiresFront: 235/35 ZR 19, Rear: 305/30 ZR 19
Acceleration (0-60 mph)Approximately 3.2 seconds (PDK)
Top SpeedApproximately 194 mph
Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined)Varies based on driving conditions and tr
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Amee Reehal
Amee Reehalhttps://www.ameereehal.com/
Shooting cars and bikes professionally since film was a thing, for over 20 years, Amee has collaborated with the major automakers and agencies, and his work has been published in various global outlets including MotorTrend, GlobeDrive, SuperStreet, Chicago Tribune, PerformanceBMW, and others. He’s an automotive writer and founder/managing editor of TractionLife.com, focusing on digital marketing & SEO for the past ten years (backed by a marketing degree, go figure). Find him travelling, spending time with his kids and family. Or golfing, poorly.