A closer look at the active aerodynamics of the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo S.

In the world of fast cars, proper airflow control is as important as what's under the hood. In the past, the elements used to generate airflow were usually fixed or required some manual adjustment. Today, however, active aerodynamics makes it possible to optimize vehicle performance in all road situations.

Porsche has released a video detailing the active aerodynamics elements of the next-generation 992 911 Turbo S for the 2021 model year. These elements, grouped under the Porsche Active Aerodynamics banner, include a front spoiler, rear anti-wing and cooling holes for the front mask.

The challenge is to balance the conflicting goals of high downforce and low drag. Active aerodynamics allows the best of both worlds. For example, in the Turbo S, the front spoiler and rear wing are removed and the cooling holes are closed in the lowest drag mode, which is ideal for efficiency. The result is a drag coefficient of 0.33 Cd, the lowest on a car

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At the other end of the spectrum is the high downforce mode. With the front spoiler and rear antifender extended to their maximum positions, downforce increases by 15% to 375 pounds. The rear spoiler also acts as an air brake. It is designed to automatically extend during full braking at high speeds.

It should be noted that the front spoiler is divided into three segments (actually a single piece of flexible plastic - elastomer, which is bent by actuators). At maximum speed, only the outer edge is extended to ensure stability, but when cornering, all three sections are extended to create high downforce. At low speeds, such as in the city, the entire unit is retracted, so passing over awkward bump-outs is easy.

The activation of the active aerodynamic elements is controlled by various driving modes such as Eco, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus; the latest 911 models have an additional "wet" mode in which the active aerodynamic elements are adjusted in a special way. In this case, the aerodynamic balance is shifted towards the rear axle, which improves stability on slippery surfaces.

Porsche claims that the Active Aero system also works to minimize turbulence in the cabin when the sliding roof of a coupe or folding roof of a convertible is open.

The new Turbo S will arrive in dealerships in late 2020. Prices start at $204,850 for the coupe and $217,650 for the convertible. Both prices include shipping costs.