First from air-cooled to water-cooled and now with hybrid technology. Porsche increases the dynamism and sends the new 911 to the street – this is how it will be.
OF: Zacharias Lund PHOTO: PR
For some time, Porsche purists have not had to deal with major changes to their much-loved model 911. But that is now changing with the introduction of the latest Porsche 911 GTS.
In the late 90s, it was the transition from air-cooled to water-cooled that caused Porsche fans to cry out. Now a big and new change is coming, which will undoubtedly upset someone. But there is no reason for that.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera GTS gets hybrid technology, albeit in a completely different way than we are used to. Porsche itself calls it the T-Hybrid and you can read about it here.
Not traditional hybrid technology
Before the purists have started the torch train towards Stuttgart, it must be said that the new generation 992.2 GTS cannot run solely on electricity. Instead, it is a new electric motor that has been added to the new 8-speed PDK gearbox, as well as another electric motor in the turbocharger that forms the hybrid part of the newly developed 3.6-liter boxer engine.
Even without electric assistance, the new 3.6-liter boxer engine produces 485 horsepower, while the electric motors raise the total system output to 541 horsepower and a torque of 610 Newton meters.
With an eye to the fact that the new gearbox and turbo with electric assistance are much faster in response, it is no surprise that the new Carrera GTS is faster from 0 to 100 km/h.
It only needs three seconds to hit 100 km/h and then it continues up to a top speed of 312 km/h. Top speed is a single kilometer per hour faster, but acceleration is improved by 0.4 seconds to 100 km/h.
In fact, it’s a brilliant move by the Germans, who aren’t just aiming for the highest top speed or acceleration. They have added a lot of dynamism to the car and it has ‘only’ cost 50 kg. extra in weight, so that the new hybrid now weighs 1,595 kg.
New and improved Boxer in the 911 Carrera
While the 911 Carrera GTS introduces hybrid technology to the 911 range, the new 911 Carrera continues to use a twin-turbocharged 3-litre boxer engine.
However, this engine has been extensively renewed and has taken over the turbochargers from the previous GTS model as well as the intercooler from the 911 Turbo.
In addition to improved fuel economy and reduced emissions, the changes have also raised the output from 385 to 394 horsepower, while the 0-100 discipline is completed in under 3.9 seconds and the top speed is 294 kilometers per hour.
A boost in aerodynamics and interior
It is not only the engine technology that has received an update. The exterior itself has also received new elements. The front is particularly marked by new lights and a new front bumper, which now does not have integrated lights – all lights are now in the light housing itself.
The new HD-matrix lights ensure visibility, just as the five active flaps at the front must provide air cooling for the engine, and vice versa they can close for better aerodynamics.
At the rear, the new Porsche has also got a completely new strip of light that spreads across the entire rear end. In conjunction with that, the exhaust setup has also changed to twin centered exhausts in the Carrera GTS.
Stepping into the cabin, you are now met for the first time by a fully digital dashboard of 12.6″ as well as a 10.9″ infotainment system. The Carrera GTS coupé comes with two seats as standard, but you can opt for the 2+2 solution free of charge.
A few other things that have changed are that you now get the drive-select button on the steering wheel as standard, just as rear wheel steering now also comes as standard. Finally, start/stop is now a definite button and not a key you turn as in the past. The button can still be found to the left of the steering wheel, where the ignition has always been in the 911.
Prices in Denmark start at DKK 2,454,900 for the 911 Carrera and DKK 3,289,900 for the 911 Carrera GTS.
