First came the twin turbo, then came the twin clutch….now here come the tri-turbo from Porsche. The next generation 911 Turbo will adopt a new tri-turbo system for its existing 3.8-litre, horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine, which is intended to boost its already superior power output, excellent in-gear performance, and overall economy. Porsche expects to substitute the twin-turbo set-up of the current 911 Turbo with a complex triple-turbo induction process. Porsche’s new system is in its final phase of development after having built engineering prototypes of the new range-topping 991. According to the series of new patent applications submitted by Porsche, its system uses three individual turbochargers. A smaller unit is placed near the engine to enhance the low-end response together with two larger ones comparable to the Borg Warner units being used today.
The new induction process boosts overall power and offers a more linear delivery at the lower end of the rev range. It is also believed to enhance efficiency leading to major fuel savings. Few details are available but the power for the new 911 Turbo seems set to increase from 495bhp to around 525bhp, similar to the current 911 Turbo S. Its coupé version is expected to arrive early next year. It’s combined average fuel economy and CO2 emissions would also be better than the current model’s 24.4mpg and 272g/km. The new tri-turbo system appears in the 911 Turbo but is also intended to be used on the next-generation 911 GT2 and the successor to the GT2 RS.
