Thirty years of improvement have produced the ultimate Porsche 911 Turbo

CHARLES Darwin probably wasn't thinking of supercars when he came up with his theory of evolution. But what worked for the apes has done the job for Porsche, too. Since 1974, the top-of-the-range 911 Turbo has been gently evolving. And just look at it now.

How does 193mph sound? Or zero to 62mph in 3.9 seconds? And if you find yourself impressed by 473bhp, you'll think 457lbft torque is special.

But this 911 doesn't look like the peak of supercar evolution. There are no monster wings or child-swallowing air intakes and even the twin exhaust pipes are unobtrusive. It's also remarkable how easy it is to drive at urban speeds, while the ergonomic cabin, complete with sat-nav and powered seats, is quiet and comfortable.

But there's another side to this 911. Using more throttle results in the engine's trademark mechanical whine morphing into a bellowing monster. It's like having a jet fighter on your tail.

Two things become apparent after only a few miles. First, this car is blisteringly quick in a straight line. A measured prod of the throttle and it leaps into action, tearing down the road with the enthusiasm of a superbike, not a supercar.

The second wow factor concerns the way the Turbo corners. The four-wheel drive system is biased towards the rear under normal conditions, but power can be directed to the front in varying degrees in lightning-quick time.

None of this would be possible without the equally impressive suspension. The electronic dampers constantly adjust to the terrain, delivering a fluid ride at all times. Hit the "PASM" button on the fascia and everything firms up. The result is almost zero pitch and roll at high speed and a welcome absence of the boneshaker ride normally associated with supercars.

The 911 Turbo is, no question, a great all-rounder. It'll take you to the supermarket one minute and help you post your best trackday lap time the next. But it would be wrong to confuse it with traditional laid-back GTs.

This is no bad thing, however. Given the car's potential, it's always comforting to have that audible reminder behind you. It keeps you alert to the speed you could be doing, if you're not careful. I guarantee you'll never tire of it, either

Ferraris may be more tuneful, but the industrial, workman-like sound of Porsche's flat-six motor lets you know that it's capable of doing what it does best day in, day out. And that's the beauty of the 911 Turbo--its performance is always accessible.

Thanks, Mr Darwin.

The lowdown

Porsche 911 turbo

Price: £97,840

Engine: 3.6-litre, six-cylinder petrol, 473bhp and 457lbft torque.

Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel-drive.

Performance: Maximum speed 193mph, 0-62mph 3.9 seconds.

CO2 emissions: 307g/km

Economy: 22.1mpg