2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick LOS ANGELES-Seven hundred and one horsepower should not be this controllable. I'm not complaining, per se: I am threading a 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S droptop along my go-to canyon route in Western Malibu, with plenty of "oh that's pretty" views along its largely un-barriered length. I-and Porsche-would like to see the Provence-painted supercar back at the hotel unscuffed. The spectacular part of this new Neunelfer flagship isn't its positively capacious corral, earning it the distinction of the most powerful factory 911 ever. It's the way the twin-turbod beast makes it so easy to access the power, how predictable said power is, and how capably and comfortably the rest of the car supports that beating heart-all while keeping the driver a crucial part of the equation. 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Quick Take With twice the T-Hybrid bits as the already-rapid 911 GTS, the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S is a 701-horsepower rocketship with near-EV levels of responsiveness. Its relative low-key looks amongst the supercar set hide what is quite likely the absolute quickest point-to-point car you can buy. Thankfully, the driver still feels like a key part of the equation too-when the Turbo S isn't turning their brain to goo. What's New for 2026: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick In a move that doesn't even tickle the needle on the surprise-o-meter, Porsche has transplanted the clever T-Hybrid setup from the 911 GTS into the Turbo S, and then multiplied the number of turbos. In an age where every 911 bar the GT3 is already turbocharged anyway, the top-dog 911 earns its title by utilizing a twin-turbo setup. The result is that headline 701 horsepower figure from a slightly less swept volume (3.6 liters now). Peak torque is unchanged at 590 pound-feet, though it now is more accurately a plateau, arriving at a low 2,300 rpm and staying put until 6,000 rpm. To keep all that power in check, Porsche has thrown myriad acronyms at the Turbo S. An electro-hydraulic variation of Porsche Dynamic Chassic Control-yes, ehPDCC-is standard here to combat body roll; the Cabriolet rocks up at a hefty (3,990 pounds (1,810 kilograms). Don't forget PCCB (carbon ceramic brakes), and of course standard PDK, Porsche's excellent dual-clutch transmission, here in eight-speed form. Exterior Style: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick There are of course visual changes for the Turbo S, beyond those that have graced the entire 992.2 generation of 911. It adopts the fussy vertical slats of the GTS in its front intakes, which have irrefutable aerodynamic benefits but questionable aesthetic ones. Other Turbo S telltales include the characteristic rear arch intake along with a larger, reprofiled rear spoiler. Considering its penchant for shrinking distances, the top-level 911 doesn't look like a supercar killer. That's part of the appeal: it flies under the average person's radar as just another 911. Powertrain and Fuel Economy: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick That all changes the first time the pedal has a taste of the carpet. The Turbo S doubles as a time dilation experiment, ripping across the tarmac with ferocity. It's EV-levels of quick, except with the drama of the flat-six intact. In fact, the Turbo S sounds better than any other turbocharged 992.2 I've driven, including the roughly similar GTS. It's richer, more complex, and sees more variance across its 7,500-rpm bandwidth. The PDK is as able as ever here, but it also plays a smaller role in proceedings. The 911 doesn't much care which gear it's in, easily rocketing along whether it's second or sixth. Manual mode adds an extra level of control, but it's largely about the tone and volume. A small 1.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack feeds the electric motor sandwiched between the transmission and engine. Regenerative braking and the T-Hybrid systems power-scavenging ensure the pack never depletes during a road drive. Handling and Drivability: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick This canyon road probably isn't the ideal playground for the Turbo S. The last car I took up this spagetti-esque squiggle was a Civic Type R, and that was borderline too much car. The wide-hipped Turbo S should feel penned-in. Caged. And yes, if the goal is to test the high-speed stability, that particular verdict will have to wait-for dedicated track time, to be realistic. Yet the Turbo S reveals surprising levels of personality even at mortal speeds. Wearing 255-width front rubber and monster 325s out back, the purple beast has metric oodles of grip. The all-wheel drive setup keeps the show locked down yet that EV-like power curve provides near-instant, predictable oomph to tweak the 911's hips slightly outward as desired. Rear-axle steering keeps this chunky boy eager around the tightest hairpins; even though they're uphill, the Turbo S's epic power simply flattens elevation changes. Also keeping that weight in check is the trick ehPDCC. Similar in operation to the Active Ride in the Taycan but still employing traditional rollbars, this electro-hydraulic setup can actively stiffen (or extend) individual corners to minimize body roll. There's still a sense of weight transfer from behind the wheel, keeping this land-based missile from feeling remote. Of course, the 911's natural-feeling electric power steering remains, with strong and consistent feedback. 2026 Nissan Armada NISMO: All the Details Ride Quality and Comfort: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick I found the GTS too stiff for daily driving last summer, getting so close to the track-weapon feel of a GT3 that it felt antithetical to the model's sweet-spot targeting. Staying true to its modern continent-crushing reputation, the Turbo S is altogether softer without sacrificing agility. That trick ehPDCC really is a case of possessing a baked good and consuming it too. Big camber changes, crumbly apexes, a blind crest with an added bump thrown in for good measure-the 911 gobbles it all up with no moans or creaks of disapproval while staying resolutely locked on target. Make no mistake, the Turbo S rides firm-because nobody wants a wallowy mess with 700 horsepower. But it breathes with the road in a way the increasingly narrow-focus GTS struggles to match. Interior Style and Quality: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick What else can be said about the 992.2 interior? The Turbo S changes little and, like other models in the range, allows for myriad trim, material, and color combinations. Porsche wants buyers to be able to make every car their own, building off the excellent foundational blocks of the cabin. The dashboard is the classic 911 cliff face, with clean detailing and typically perfect fit and finish. Porsche hasn't shied away from physical controls, with pleasantly tactile switches and buttons. I'm even warming to the mini-shaver shifter, though I wish manual control was a simple additional tap instead of a button that needs re-pressing every time I've used reverse. Tech and Safety: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick Ditto the tech lineup here: it's familiar from every other version of Porsche's icon. The central screen isn't fancy but is ultra easy to use and features responses almost as quick as the Turbo's, er, turbos. The digital instrument cluster never suffers from any washout in the relentless California sun, is incredibly high-def, and allows for a whole lot of customization. I only had a brief stint with the Turbo S; I'm happy this system takes so little time to get used to. Value Dollars and Sense: 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick $272,650. That's what you'll need to even begin a 2026 911 Turbo S build, and that's just the coupe. Dropping the top is a $14,000 privilege. Add the nose lift kit, treat yourself to an upgraded interior, and the Turbo S is knocking on the door of $300,000 in the US. By comparison, the $292,050 CAD starting price ($307,250 CAD for the Cab) almost looks a deal in Canada. Just remember there's the non-negotiable luxury tax. Final Thoughts: 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S First Drive 2026 porsche 911 turbo s first drive review mindfreak, Image Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick The 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S is the ultimate manifestation of Porsche's hybrid turbo tech. It highlights the inherent cleverness of the setup, upping the responsiveness without sacrificing driver involvement.The Turbo S is a super-GT: comparatively understated in the supercar scene, ruthlessly quick, yet still everyday usable. A fitting flagship, then. Top 10 'Old' Cars of the 2026 Detroit Auto Show