911 will offered with hybrid power when the 992.2 lands this summer

[Porsche News]

This is an early look at the forthcoming 992.2-generation Porsche 911, but don't be fooled – despite what appear to be relatively minor design tweaks, the new model will offer big changes under the skin by adopting hybrid power for the first time ever.

The 992.2 will arrive this summer, and while it's unclear whether all variants will adopt an electrified powertrain, Porsche has confirmed that 'high-performance hybrid drive' is on the agenda. The 992 was designed to accommodate electrical assistance from the outset, and the system will be integrated into the existing flat-six powertrain.

Porsche is expected to use mild-hybrid technology rather than a plug-in system, with a battery positioned ahead of the flat-six engine and between the rear bulkhead. The electric motor will be positioned between the engine and existing eight-speed PDK gearbox.

The motor will bring a useful extra hit of performance (and, admittedly, weight) while filling torque holes in the 3-litre twin-turbo flat-six. Efficiency should receive a boost too, with the mild-hybrid system reducing load on the petrol engine during normal driving.



As ever, Porsche's mid-cycle design updates will be subtle. We've already spied a 992.2 coupe flaunting what appears to be a new aero kit, and these latest shots offer a glimpse at the forthcoming Targa version. The model's iconic rollover hoop and enormous curved rear window are present and correct, and the facelift will bring new LED headlights, a revised front bumper and and a redesigned rear valance for a cleaner look. Expect new wheel designs and paint options – the latter potentially derived from Porsche's Paint To Sample colours – to round out the visual changes.

The 992.2 will make its official debut this summer.

 

[Porsche News]

Porsche 992.2-gen 911 powertrain

The most significant change to the 911 in its sixth decade of production is the adoption of a unique petrol-electric hybrid system. Set to appear in a new four-wheel-drive model being revealed in the summer, it combines a tuned version of Porsche’s turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a specially designed electric motor housed within the front axle. The petrol engine provides drive to the rear wheels, while the electric motor drives the front wheels. A 48V integrated starter motor in the dual-clutch automatic gearbox will provide an electric boost and power ancillary components.

The new 400V system is claimed to generate its own energy reserves using the engine as a generator – in a function similar to that of a range-extender drivetrain – as well as via brake regeneration, negating the need for external charging.

Electric energy is stored in a specially developed lightweight lithium-ion battery. With an energy capacity well below the batteries used by Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG in their plug-in performance models, it has been configured specifically for rapid energy charge and discharge properties.

Secrecy surrounds the output of the new hybrid drivetrain, though Porsche is eventually expected to offer the new petrol-electric unit in a range of different performance levels. Both Turbo-E Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid models have been mooted for introduction in line with the Cayenne and Panamera line-ups.

Before the eighth-generation 911 bows out later this decade, Porsche is also set to launch an 800hp-plus hybrid successor to the fearsome GT2 RS. A fully electric 911 is not immediately planned, and Porsche instead envisages them progressing into the future with electrified combustion engines in combination with new e-fuel derivatives to provide net-zero emissions.



Porsche 911 992.2: what else will be new?


Enhanced cooling: To boost cooling for the front-mounted radiators and brakes, Porsche has given the new front bumper distinctive air ducts that house five vertical louvres on each side, in place of the three horizontal louvres of the existing model. It is most likely that they will incorporate some sort of active operation to better balance cooling and aerodynamic drag. There is also a larger central air duct book-ended by additional cooling channels on either side.

Revised headlamps: Instead of being housed within the top section of the bumper insert, the indicators are now integrated into the revised headlight assemblies that feature a new graphic design. As with the units used by the facelifted Cayenne, the new headlights are expected to offer HD matrix LED functionality with more than 32,000 pixels per unit and the capability of lighting up to 600 metres ahead.

Restyled rear end: The updated 911 receives new-look brake lights integrated into the top of a restyled rear bumper, and it also features inboard-mounted tailpipes within a revised diffuser.

Interior upgrades: The changes to the interior of the new 911 are more subtle. Prototypes use the existing dashboard architecture and other features, suggesting that most tweaks will involve software upgrades. Among the expected developments are new digital instrument graphics and the latest Porsche Communication Management system for infotainment functions.

 

[Alex]

Looks bloody awful.


How did they go from this:





To this?




Personally I blame computers. Most of the time they've just made the creator of something more lazy and robbed them of any 'flare' and 'style' rather than designing something far 'cooler' to look at.

 

[TurboSandGT4]

i think you will find the 89 car was also designed using computers

 

[Alex]

i think you will find the 89 car was also designed using computers

Obviously some of it will have been, but the more computer power we've gained over time, the worse design has got. Look at car manufacturing as a whole and not just sports/supercars. It's embarrassing to say the least. I've said this before, it must be rubbish fro young adults these days who want a cool affordable car as there's pretty much nothing out there.

All the big manufacturers had some pretty cool stuff of the time, eg: E30 BMW, Pug 205GTI, Lancia Delta turbo, Astra GTE, Alfasud, Escort RS Turbo, Renault 5 GT Turbo, the list is endless. What is there these days - an A-class done up like a bat mobile?

 

[TurboSandGT4]

Hi Alex
Rest assured -cars are designed still to this day by humans. Computers allow for faster rendering of themes and Engineering to be more efficient.
Modern cars still go through the 1:1 Clay model process now as they did when I started in Design Engineering in 1989.

What has changed is the increasing requirements of Pedestrian and crash safety coupled with aerodynamic efficiency giving cars a more bloated envelope.

I will agree with some of what you have said, for instance in the 90s there was a huge number of hot hatches and sports cars at the same price as a top end Mondeo. I think the attitudes around speeding have sucked much of the joy out of driving to the point where most people just want transport...

 

[Alex]

Not round my manor.