Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S vs. Aston Martin Vanquish

Stock Motor

Porsche 911 Turbo S:

0-60 mph: 2.6 seconds (estimated)

Torque: 590 lb-ft

Horsepower: 640 hp

Top Speed: 205 mph (estimated)

Quarter Mile Time: N/A

Lap Times: N/A

Powertrain Configuration: Twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine (rear-engine, all-wheel drive)

Transmission Type: 8-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic

Power-to-Weight Ratio: Approximately 5.9 lb/hp

RPM (Shaft Speed): Up to 7,000 RPM

Aston Martin Vanquish:

0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds (estimated)

Torque: 465 lb-ft

Horsepower: 580 hp

Top Speed: 201 mph (manufacturer claimed)

Quarter Mile Time: N/A

Lap Times: N/A

Powertrain Configuration: Front mid-mounted naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 engine (rear-wheel drive)

Transmission Type: 8-speed Touchtronic III automatic

Power-to-Weight Ratio: Approximately 6.2 lb/hp

RPM (Shaft Speed): Up to 7,000 RPM

Comparison and Analysis:

Acceleration and Top Speed:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S showcases its sheer power with an impressive 0-60 mph time of just 2.6 seconds, making it one of the fastest-accelerating production cars available. The Aston Martin Vanquish, though not as quick, still boasts an impressive 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. Both supercars achieve phenomenal top speeds, with the Turbo S slightly edging the Vanquish at an estimated 205 mph compared to Aston Martin's 201 mph.

Engine Performance:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S derives its power from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six engine, delivering an astounding 640 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The Aston Martin Vanquish features a naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 engine, producing 580 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. While the Turbo S offers more horsepower and torque, the Vanquish's V12 engine exudes a raw and visceral driving experience.

Powertrain and Transmission:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S features Porsche's renowned all-wheel-drive system, distributing power effectively to all four wheels for enhanced grip and stability. In contrast, the Aston Martin Vanquish has a rear-wheel-drive configuration, emphasizing a more traditional and engaging driving experience. Both cars come equipped with sophisticated automatic transmissions, ensuring smooth gear changes and optimal performance.

Power-to-Weight Ratio:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S holds a slightly better power-to-weight ratio, with approximately 5.9 lb/hp compared to the Aston Martin Vanquish's 6.2 lb/hp. This indicates that the Turbo S has a slight advantage in terms of power-to-weight distribution, potentially translating to better acceleration and handling dynamics.

Conclusion:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S and Aston Martin Vanquish represent the epitome of automotive engineering and performance. The Turbo S excels in acceleration, power output, and an all-wheel-drive setup, delivering a blistering driving experience. On the other hand, the Vanquish boasts an awe-inspiring V12 engine, rear-wheel drive, and classic Aston Martin allure, providing a more emotive and engaging driving experience.

Suspension

Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S Suspension:

Suspension Type: Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)

Damping Control: Electronically adjustable dampers with adaptive air suspension

Ride Comfort: Comfortable in daily driving with the ability to adjust stiffness in different modes

Handling Characteristics: Precise and agile, with minimal body roll in corners

Adjustability: Multiple driving modes (Normal, Sport, Sport Plus) for customizable suspension settings

Ground Clearance: Adjustable to handle various road conditions and driving situations

Aston Martin Vanquish Suspension:

Suspension Type: 3-stage Adaptive Damping System

Damping Control: Electronically controlled dampers with passive suspension

Ride Comfort: Balanced for a comfortable and luxurious ride, ideal for grand touring

Handling Characteristics: Smooth and composed, prioritizing stability and road manners

Adjustability: Limited adjustability with selectable driving modes (Normal, Sport, Track)

Ground Clearance: Fixed, not adjustable

Critique:

Suspension Type and Damping Control:

The Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S features Porsche's sophisticated Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with electronically adjustable dampers and adaptive air suspension. This advanced setup allows the driver to select various driving modes, adjusting the suspension's stiffness and ride height to suit different driving conditions. The PASM system strikes a fine balance between comfort and performance, providing a smooth ride in everyday driving while offering precise handling and minimal body roll during spirited driving.

On the other hand, the Aston Martin Vanquish incorporates a 3-stage Adaptive Damping System with electronically controlled dampers. However, unlike the Turbo S's adaptive air suspension, the Vanquish employs a passive suspension system. While the Vanquish offers a comfortable and luxurious ride, the lack of adaptive air suspension limits its adjustability compared to the Turbo S.

Ride Comfort and Handling Characteristics:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S's suspension is engineered to deliver a comfortable ride when cruising around town, making it suitable for daily driving. However, when the driving mode is set to Sport or Sport Plus, the suspension stiffens up to provide razor-sharp handling, ensuring exceptional performance during spirited driving.

The Aston Martin Vanquish prioritizes ride comfort and stability, delivering a smooth and composed ride ideal for grand touring. Its suspension strikes a balance between luxury and sportiness, catering to drivers seeking a more refined and relaxed driving experience.

Adjustability and Ground Clearance:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S offers more adjustability with multiple driving modes, allowing drivers to fine-tune the suspension settings according to their preferences. The adaptive air suspension also provides adjustable ground clearance, which comes in handy for navigating rough roads or speed bumps.

In contrast, the Aston Martin Vanquish's suspension has limited adjustability, primarily through its selectable driving modes. Additionally, the Vanquish's fixed ground clearance may require more cautious driving on uneven surfaces.

Interior

Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S Interior:

Design Theme: Modern and driver-centric

Materials: Premium leather, Alcantara, brushed aluminum accents

Seats: Sport seats with 18-way power adjustments and memory function

Infotainment: Porsche Communication Management (PCM) with touchscreen display

Digital Displays: Analog gauges with a centrally mounted digital tachometer

Luxury Features: Dual-zone automatic climate control, ambient lighting

Driver-Focused: Sport Chrono Package with Performance display

Interior Space: Cozy cockpit-style layout for an immersive driving experience

Aston Martin Vanquish Interior:

Design Theme: Opulent and refined grand touring

Materials: Fine Bridge of Weir leather, luxurious wood and carbon fiber trims

Seats: One-piece leather-clad sports seats with 12-way power adjustments

Infotainment: Aston Martin Infotainment System with touchpad controller

Digital Displays: Analog gauges with a central LCD infotainment display

Luxury Features: Three-zone automatic climate control, Bang & Olufsen audio system

Grand Touring Elegance: Large center console with generous storage space

Interior Space: Spacious and elegant, offering a sense of open-air luxury

Critique:

Design Philosophy:

The Porsche 911 (991) Turbo S's interior design showcases a modern and driver-centric approach. The cockpit-style layout immerses the driver in a sporty environment, while the use of premium materials, Alcantara, and brushed aluminum accents exude a refined sportiness.

The Aston Martin Vanquish embraces a more opulent and grand touring-focused design. The Bridge of Weir leather, wood, and carbon fiber trims create an elegant and luxurious ambiance, emphasizing a sense of grandeur and sophistication.

Infotainment and Digital Displays:

Both models feature analog gauges for essential driving information, with central LCD displays providing additional infotainment features. The Porsche 911 Turbo S comes equipped with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, offering a user-friendly touchscreen interface for multimedia and vehicle settings.

The Aston Martin Vanquish boasts its own Aston Martin Infotainment System, complemented by a touchpad controller for intuitive navigation. While both systems are modern and functional, the PCM's touchscreen may offer a more seamless user experience for the Turbo S.

Seats and Comfort:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S's sport seats provide excellent support during spirited driving while maintaining comfort for long journeys. With 18-way power adjustments, drivers can find their ideal driving position for maximum control and comfort.

The Aston Martin Vanquish's one-piece leather-clad sports seats exude grand touring elegance while offering 12-way power adjustments for personalized comfort. These seats provide a sense of luxury and comfort during extended journeys, making the Vanquish an exceptional grand touring machine.

Interior Space:

The Porsche 911 Turbo S features a cozy cockpit-style layout, focusing on creating an immersive and driver-oriented experience. While the interior space is more compact, it enhances the feeling of being one with the car, perfect for sports car enthusiasts seeking maximum engagement.

The Aston Martin Vanquish offers a more spacious interior, emphasizing open-air luxury and comfort. Its large center console with ample storage space enhances the grand touring experience, making it ideal for long journeys with added convenience.