I have been in love with the Porsche 911 since I was a teenager. My love affair with the car intensified when I got to drive one with a friend who was taking me to the New Orleans airport from Pensacola Florida when I was going to live in Cancun, Mexico for a year. The trip normally would take over four hours we made it in less than three and needless to say, we enjoyed cruising the streets of New Orleans in the 911 before my flight left the next morning.

The German motorcar company, Porsche has done it again with the 2006 911 Turbo which premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in February of 2006. This 6th generation 911 is now available in German dealerships and just now beginning to appear in the United States at a cost of over 120k.

There have been some modifications to the engine of the 911 Turbo resulting in 480 horsepower at 6000 rpm with a 3.6 liter engine. That's a lot of power for such a small engine! The car does zero to sixty in 3.9 seconds with the six speed manual transmission. If you feel the need to go even faster you can get the optional Tiptronic S automatic version that does the 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. I guess it will let you wrap yourself around a tree quicker! You can also add on the Sport Chrono Package Turbo which is available for the first time.

The drive train of the 2006 Porsche 911 Turbo showcases a newly reworked all-wheel drive including a multi-disc clutch that is controlled electronically which results in a smoother transfer of power from the engine to the wheels and tires. The Porsche Traction Management System or PTM controls the distribution of power to the axles. This cutting edge traction system improves traction in rain or snow and helps the vehicle to maintain high agility on narrow winding roads and provides exceptional safety even at extreme speeds.

With a car that goes this fast you have to have an equally superior braking system and the superior performance of the 911 Turbo is matched by the monobloc fixed caliper disc brakes that include six pistons at the front axles and four to the rear. The 911 also features the newly introduced ceramic brake system called the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake System which is much lighter than the standard system.

As far as the exterior is concerned the front end of the 911 Turbo had been modified to include distinctive cooling air inlets which together with the standard oval bi-xenon headlamps gives the car a powerful new look. The rear has been redesigned as well and is wider than before with an all new spoiler added. Go out and test drive one today, if you can find one!