Ex-Stig Ben Collins subjected a radically upgraded 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S to one of the toughest evaluations imaginable: a high-speed assault on the rain-drenched Top Gear circuit. Armed with nearly 900 horsepower from a heavily modified twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six, the car represented a dramatic evolution of the traditional 911 Turbo formula, blending immense straight-line pace with increasingly sophisticated aerodynamic engineering.
Collins approached the challenge with a clear benchmark in mind—whether the all-wheel-drive Turbo S could approach the lap times of Porsche’s more hardcore RS models, particularly the revered GT3 RS. Despite treacherous weather conditions that added several seconds to potential lap times, the upgraded Turbo S demonstrated astonishing capability.
Porsche’s active aerodynamic system, including an adaptive front splitter and variable rear wing geometry, played a crucial role in maintaining stability under braking and through high-speed corners. Wet-mode calibration further shifted aerodynamic balance rearward to improve traction and predictability on the soaked surface.
While the immense power delivery occasionally introduced understeer at corner entry, the car’s braking performance, mechanical grip, and relentless acceleration allowed Collins to attack the circuit with remarkable confidence. The 20-second overboost function amplified the already brutal thrust, enabling the Turbo S to recover massive amounts of time on the straights despite compromised conditions.
Ultimately, the modified 911 recorded an impressive 1:17 lap in damp conditions—comfortably eclipsing older Turbo-generation benchmarks and outperforming icons such as the Carrera GT and 997 GT2. Although it fell short of the GT3 RS’s dry-weather record pace, the result highlighted how modern aerodynamic systems, advanced chassis electronics, and extreme turbocharged performance have transformed the 911 Turbo into a legitimate track-focused weapon.
Source: Ben Collins Drives
