Tony007:
I should have clarified a little further.. It's a scam job for the individual that purchases the Turbo. There is no point (zero) in buying a Turbo any longer for the person who did like I did back in 2007 and likes to order up a "loaded" car. I mean really... What is the point of having a Turbo??
Someone buys a Turbo today.. Why, because he needs a lower price car. He doesn't care for this or that option(s) that comes on the Turbo S.
All Porsche has done with offering a Turbo is to impose a HP/TQ penalty for the customer that won't pony up for their exorbitant prices.
The way I see it, either kill the Turbo or differentiate them much more, both in price and substance.
I couldn't agree more but you'd be surprised how many seem to order a Turbo instead of a Turbo S for sometimes quite weird reasons. On the other hand, I get it (with the Turbo): If people don't care about maximum performance, the lack of PCCB, PDCC and Sport Chrono won't hurt much. Do the math, add these three options together and you'll get a substantial difference (these three options alone are over 16k USD). Some may care about the body, the brand and make only and maybe even about illusion (I can imagine some people ordering the Turbo S wheels incl. CL and the mirrors, just to pretend they drive a Turbo S).
Yes, Porsche should differentiate the Turbo and Turbo S much more, they kind of killed the regular Turbo and maybe even worse, they kind of ridiculed the Turbo S buyer. In the end, many people will say: "Hey, you paid a premium for a software difference only, why have you been so stupid and didn't get a Turbo and paid 2k for chip tuning later on to get the same power as the Turbo S...?" Not many (outside the Porsche "universe") know that the Turbo S also comes with many options standard.
Funny story you mentioned the Moscow presentation: When Bernhard Maier (Porsche) announced the 991 Turbo and Turbo S in Moscow and that white Turbo S entered the stage, my son (he was watching the YouTube video with me) asked me: "And where is the Turbo?" Really dumb (not my son...the presentation). I bet that many in the Russian audience also asked themselves: "Is that the Turbo S or Turbo and where is the other car?".
Also the presentation in Estoril was embarrassing: Especially that guy who sprayed sparks towards the car...he looked as if he was jerking off. Oh boy, whoever had the idea for such a show should have his head checked. Watching the video, I don't think that the Portuguese audience really enjoyed the show.
Speaking of "not having a choice than order one...", I again fully agree with you: I have no choice. Not because the Turbo S is the most fantastic car on the planet but because no other car offers what the Turbo S offers. This doesn't mean I am happy as a customer and Porsche knows that (I sent them a long summary of what I believe is wrong with the Turbo S and believe it or not, they care...a LOT...you cannot even imagine how much) but I don't think this is going to change anything for the car which will be manufactured soon. Which is a pity because I really think that some minor changes are still possible, especially before and for that rumored press event end of August.
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RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Turbo S (Sept. 2013), Cayenne GTS (958), BMW X3 35d (2013)