Mechanically, the biggest change and improvement to the 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo is a new turbocharger that uses specially-designed materials that can handle very high temperatures up to 1,830 degrees Fahrenheit. With this upgrade, one turbocharger can handle exhaust gases that used to be split between two and can use that exhaust energy for longer than before. Of course, the new 911 Turbo has two of these units, which accounts for the fact that at 480 horsepower it’s got more power than any 911 in history – 60 more than the previous model – despite having the same sized 3.6-liter engine. Torque is also increased from 413 lb.-ft. to 457 lb.-ft., available across a much wider range between 1,950 rpm and 5,000 rpm. These changes make the new 911 Turbo faster and more responsive to throttle inputs – both very good things.

It doesn’t get as much attention as the increased power, but the 911 Turbo’s new all-wheel-drive system is the first actively controlled AWD system in a 911. By comparison, the system in the Carrera 4S uses a mechanical viscous coupling to transmit power to the front wheels, only reacting after rear wheel slippage is detected. The new electronically-controlled AWD system in the 2007 911 Turbo, called Porsche Traction Management (PTM), uses sensors to constantly monitor changes in driving conditions such as acceleration, wheelspin, oversteer, and understeer. PTM then reacts within milliseconds (Porsche says 100 at the most) to deliver perfect levels of power to all four wheels for optimum performance and control. The system is no killjoy, though. It’s designed to allow quite a bit of leeway, especially at low speeds, so you can get the back end loose on corners before it interferes.

The new 911 Turbo also includes Porsche Stability Management (PSM), which includes enhanced brake functions such as pre-loading of the brakes, which detects when you abruptly lift your foot off the gas pedal and then instantly pumps brake fluid from the PSM control unit to the brakes, readying them for action before it even feels your foot on the brake pedal. PSM also allows for a certain level of brake pressure without applying maximum brake force so you can “feather” the brakes to retain forward momentum.

The end game of all this technology is to provide you with the most exhilarating ride possible while maintaining control. At the same time, it’s designed to work behind the scenes so you don’t even know it’s there. It’s so good most drivers get fooled into thinking they’re better drivers than they actually are – and that’s worth every penny of the Porsche 911 Turbo’s $122,900 sticker.