For aficionados who demand the pinnacle of automotive excitement, the 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo S2 emerges as a compelling offering. This specialized version of the iconic 911 Turbo, conceived directly from the crucible of IMSA Supercar racing, prioritizes an exhilarating high-speed experience, featuring an uprated engine and refined dynamics tailored for the track. However, this pursuit of peak performance at the upper echelons of speed introduces a trade-off in everyday drivability, with a noticeable reduction in responsiveness at lower engine speeds. Despite this characteristic, the S2 stands as a testament to Porsche's engineering prowess, representing the fastest street-legal iteration of the 911 Turbo available in America during its release.
Unleashing Peak Performance: The Turbo S2's High-Speed Prowess
The 1993 Porsche 911 Turbo S2 was engineered for those who sought an unparalleled high-speed experience, pushing the boundaries of what a street-legal vehicle could achieve. Drawing inspiration and components directly from the IMSA Supercar Series, this model incorporated a larger, more efficient intercooler, a KKK turbocharger designed for optimal high-rpm breathing, and modified camshafts. These enhancements collectively resulted in an engine capable of an astonishing 178 mph top speed, a significant increase over the standard Turbo's 166 mph. Acceleration from 100 to 150 mph was drastically improved, dropping from 27.7 to a mere 19.7 seconds, demonstrating the S2's exceptional capability in high-speed maneuvers. This focus on top-end power meant the S2 engine maintained strong pull right up to its 6600-rpm redline, delivering an exhilarating rush that defined its character. Independent evaluations suggested the engine's true output was closer to 370 horsepower, far exceeding Porsche's official figures, solidifying its status as a formidable force on the road for enthusiasts prioritizing blistering performance.
The meticulous tuning of the Turbo S2's powertrain components, particularly the intercooler, turbocharger, and camshafts, was directly influenced by the stringent requirements of the IMSA Supercar Series, where certain critical components had to be shared between race cars and their street counterparts. This direct lineage from motorsports endowed the S2 with a distinctive performance profile, characterized by its remarkable prowess at higher speeds. The upgraded KKK turbocharger was specifically optimized for improved airflow at elevated RPMs, while the recalibrated cams complemented this setup to maximize power delivery in the upper rev range. This synergy of components not only translated into an impressive top speed but also dramatically enhanced the car's ability to accelerate from mid-to-high speeds. The S2's robust chassis, a hallmark of Porsche engineering, effortlessly managed the increased power, providing a stable and confident driving experience even at extreme velocities. Furthermore, its advanced braking system, featuring large vented discs and ABS-assisted four-piston calipers, ensured superb stopping power, capable of halting the car from 70 mph in just 158 feet. This combination of raw power, high-speed stability, and effective braking underscored the S2's design as a high-performance machine destined for open roads and track-day glory.
The Trade-off: Low-Speed Responsiveness and Daily Driving Considerations
While the Porsche 911 Turbo S2 excelled in high-speed performance, its specialized tuning for peak power at elevated RPMs inadvertently led to a compromise in low-speed responsiveness. The additional power concentrated at the top end of the rev range meant a noticeable reduction in the engine's urgency and immediate torque delivery in urban environments or at lower speeds. This characteristic manifested in slower acceleration figures during typical city driving conditions. For instance, the S2 required 6.5 seconds to accelerate from 5 to 60 mph, making it 0.8 seconds slower than the standard Turbo. Similarly, in top-gear acceleration tests, it took 14.2 seconds to go from 30 to 50 mph and 11.9 seconds from 50 to 70 mph, lagging behind the standard Turbo's respective times of 12.0 and 10.0 seconds. While boost could eventually be achieved around 3000 rpm, the engine truly awakened only past the 4000 rpm mark, indicating a more lethargic feel during casual driving. This characteristic, while a minor drawback for track enthusiasts, presented a tangible difference in the car's behavior during daily commutes.
The design philosophy behind the S2, prioritizing high-rpm performance for racing homologation, inherently shifted the engine's power band, making it less tractable at lower engine speeds. This re-profiling of the engine, though yielding spectacular high-end acceleration, created a gap in low-end torque and immediate throttle response. Drivers accustomed to the more balanced power delivery of the standard 911 Turbo might find the S2's initial sluggishness around town a significant adjustment. Even under controlled launch conditions with a 6000-rpm clutch drop, the S2 recorded a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, which was 0.4 seconds slower than its standard counterpart. In the quarter-mile, the S2 completed the sprint in 13.0 seconds at 110 mph, compared to the stock Turbo's 12.9 seconds at 108 mph. Porsche acknowledged this characteristic, with motorsport director Alwin Springer noting that a new turbine housing was developed post-production to improve low-rpm responsiveness without sacrificing much of the S2's top-end ferocity. This ongoing refinement indicated an awareness of the low-speed handling concerns, aiming to temper the car's aggressive nature for a broader range of driving scenarios while retaining its core high-performance identity. Despite these low-speed nuances, the S2 remained a highly desirable, albeit niche, vehicle for collectors and performance purists.
