A post in motoring.com.au sure does make it seem that way. According to what we read, the normally aspirated Carrera and Carrera S models, set to debut as the face lifted 991 series at Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, will both feature downsized turbo engines.
Specifically, the story goes on to say that the base Carrera will carry a 2.7 liter turbo flat-six while the Carrera S receives a 3.4 liter turbo allowing for nearly 30 mpg. The smaller of the two motors could produces as much as 400 hp (50 more than today’s 350 hp) and the turbo 3.4 slated for the Carrera S will produce “more than 400 horespower” without specifying how much more.
Where’s this information come from you ask? Did they just make it up? No, the story says that their source is none other than Dr. Erhard Mössle, the Product Line Director for the Porsche 911 Turbo, Carrera 4 and Targa who spoke to motoring.com.au during the launch of the new 911 Targa 4 GTS in Australia and let them know the current 991 series 911 will remain in production until the end of the year. However, when we read his quotes, we can’t reach the same conclusion as they did regarding turbos. Here’s what Mössle said, “This is the last one [presumably referring to this version of the normally aspirated 991], and then we start again.” That’s it.
A Hybrid 911 Seems To Be A Given At Some Point
However, the story does go on to say that Dr Mössle explained that the next-generation 911, set to be introduced in 2020 (the 992 maybe?), will “be engineered for hybrid power“. The level of hybridization will dictate the amount of change from the 991 series platform.
What Do You Think?
We know that Porsche needs to continue to innovate and improve fuel consumption across their entire fleet due to upcoming CAFE regulations, that’s why we continue to see an emphasis on hybrid power and hybrid models. However, would they go so far as to introduce a turbo only version of the 911 so soon? We reached out to Porsche for comment and, as expected, they said they couldn’t “participate in speculation about future models” What do you think? Will Porsche make this move? If so, will it happen as soon as 2016?
View Comments (9)
It's all getting very silly. Excess is not progress. I'm fine with going all turbo and smaller displacement...VW and Audi have done that with their models for the most part. But the physical size of the 911 (991) is absurd. It is as big as an A4 sedan.
Along with the down size in engine displacement Porsche should get the 911 back to the same size as the 993. And the same goes for the overabundance of electrical doodads that have cluttered the 911 so that you can't park it for 4 days without the battery being drained. Get rid of seat memory and seven electrical sensors in each door and the video game dashboards and the electric openers for the front trunk and rear engine bay and the electronic oil level gauge.
Bring back the dip stick and the spare tire and the pull latches to open and close the trunk and hood, bring back the simplest most basic 911 you can build.
The fact is that your used cars are gaining in value and your new cars do nothing but lose value...even faster than you can keep raising the prices. I am afraid Porsche has seriously lost their way. The Lamborghini McClaren Ferrari supercar market is like an overheated stock market. It can all go away very quickly. The market that is missing a Porsche is the market that made Porsche a legend. You need to be building a 993 version of a 356.
I agree with John. Some of the weight of government required safety equipment can be offset by replacing electronic actuators with cables and knobs. I love the look of the 991 and appreciate the improvements the longer wheel base brings with it but I do miss the end of the pocket-rocket appearance of previous generations.
I totally agree with John. Maybe Porsche can follow Mazda's lead (2016 Mazda MX5) and build a much simpler and lightened version of the 911. A true driver's car. Like the MX5 for Mazda, the 911 is Porsche's elemental sports car. But more than any other vehicle from any brand, the 911 IS the heart and soul of Porsche. I truly believe if Porsche eliminates the 911 from it's lineup it will be a monumental mistake that will drive away the traditional fans of the brand much like it almost happened in the early nineties.
Agree with the over abundance of electronic doodads in the new Porsches. That is exactly when I am having a 911 based Intermeccanica 356 built. Just a basic, bare bones car that replicates driving in the 1950s-1960s. I drive the car, not the other way around.
The rear engine must go. We must all understand the new ownership mantra of luxury and profit by intermingled parts (from Audi).
True Carlos.... mid-engine is the future (can you say Cayman??); eventually the rear-engine will be phased out (but I'm sure Porsche will still keep the 911 designation); even the proverbial Corvette is going soon to the "futuristic" mid-engine format.
Your mid engine comment and (can you say Cayman) are quite intriguing as I just read yesterday that Porsches GTLM/GTE car might be mid-engine by the 2017 season.
This was at Sportscar 365 and it was hilarious with all those who apparently consider themselves to be "experts" going on about how it could not be the Cayman.
They have no idea how much engineering and testing has gone into the Cayman and, with the same HP as a GT3 for instance, I believe it would do better laps on a road course.
It is already being raced in several series including the S in PWC GTS as well as the base in PWC TC and Continental Tire series in ST.
Nothing that Porsche does these days surprises me much. After all, they are playing in an arena where greenhouse gas emissions and MPG numbers are mandated by the world's governments. If we assume they want to stay in business, and I certainly believe they do, they must "go with the flow" as far as certain aspects of their cars are concerned. Remember 1. they are going to build cars that people want to buy, and 2. the 911/Carrera is the most profitable line for them so I fully expect them to what is necessary to keep the car desirable, "legal" and profitable. As far as model changes are concerned, I have been around long enough so I've been hearing these complaints for years. I remember reading owner comments from the 60's saying that Porsche shouldn't be putting radios or air conditioning in their cars. I have owned Porsches since the 70's, and I think my 2014 Carrera S is the best Porsche I have ever owned. And yes, it has PDK.
The inevitable demise of the internal combustion engine is at play. Emissions, fuel economy, safety all drive the size of the car and its power plant.
I agree with Ray. Porsche and her sister companies are building the best cars they ever have.