Porsche 911 Turbo S Launch Is Nothing Short of Spectacular
Porsche traded the road for the runway in an epic and stunning launch for the new 992 911 Turbo S debut.
When it comes the automotive industry, there are few can claim the venerated title of icon. Without hesitation, the Porsche 911 is that car. And one reason that the 911 continues to inspire and impress is that it never stops aiming higher. From Porsche’s innovations in technology and performance to driver experience, the automaker keeps pushing forward.
So when it came time to launch the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S, the company decided to go…literal. Porsche Australia’s “Launch Control” event was one of the most incredible we’ve seen. The debut took place on a 1.4-mile stretch of runway at Sydney Airport. It was an inspired (and awe-inspiring) way to showcase the range-topping 911 Turbo S 992 in all its glory.
Sydney Airport is Australia’s busiest airport, hosting 44 million passengers and more than 300,000 flights annually across its three runways. Due to the Covid-19 crisis, passenger traffic is down 97 percent. Porsche worked with multiple government and regulatory agencies to use one of the runways as the launch pad for the new 911.
Yes, it was as cool as it sounds. And yes, we do have the video at the end.
“We always knew we wanted to do something special to launch the Type 992 911 Turbo S,” explains Belinda Coen, Marketing and Events Manager of Porsche Centre Sydney South.
Mission accomplished.
Porsche gave 48 VIPs the opportunity to drive the 911s along Runway 16L/34R. Supervision was provided by Porsche Track Experience instructors, led by Deputy Chief Instructor and Bathurst 1000 champ Luke Youlden.
“I feel like I’ve got the golden ticket to Willy Wonka,” one enthusiast said of getting a ‘boarding pass’ one of the most exclusive events ever held on four wheels.
Launch Control had to be more than visually appealing, it had to showcase the 911 Turbo S. Porsche assessed and evaluated ground surface. While the runway is designed for passenger jets with upwards of 50,000 hp and 300 seats; it also needed to fit a car with 374 pounds of aero downforce and suspension designed to lap the Nürburgring.
“A lot of work went into understanding the length of the runway and the speeds that the vehicle would be able to get to,” Coen explains. “From there we worked backwards so that we had every situation covered.”
After months of secrecy, Launch Control was cleared for take off.
“It was such a unique and special event,” says Coen, “and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that is unlikely to be able to take place ever again.”
The unprecedented event showcased the all-wheel drive acceleration of the latest iteration of Porsche legend. With its 3.8-liter twin-turbo boxer six-cylinder, the Turbo S can blast from zero to sixty in in 2.7 seconds.
Check out the video for more of this exceptional event. We have to say, Porsche really laid down the gauntlet on the 911 Turbo S launch. It will be interesting to see if other companies will step up their game. And the idea of where Porsche will go next is even more exciting.
Photos: Porsche
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