Porsche has announced the unveiling of the brand’s iconic model, the new 911. The models revealed include the ‘New 911 Carrera GTS’ and ‘911 Carrera’, with the 911 Carrera GTS featuring a lightweight high-performance hybrid system, making it the first 911 capable of street driving.
The innovative powertrain system equipped in the new 911 Carrera GTS with a 3.6-liter displacement provides enhanced driving performance. The coupe model accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 312 km/h. The 911 Carrera is driven by a more powerful 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer engine than its predecessor. The new 911 features improved design and aerodynamics, a refreshed interior, upgraded standard equipment, and expanded connectivity.
Recently, Porsche has unveiled four out of six model lines, including the Panamera, Taycan, Macan, and now the 911. Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Management Board of Porsche AG, stated, “Porsche’s product portfolio is younger and more attractive than ever, providing customers with significantly more personalization options and unique experiences.”
To develop the new 911 Carrera GTS, Porsche engineers utilized motorsports technology and expertise as a foundation for the hybrid system’s design. Frank Moser, Vice President of the 911 and 718 model line, commented, “We developed and tested various ideas and approaches to create a hybrid system that perfectly fits the 911, resulting in a powertrain system that aligns with the overall concept of the 911 while enhancing performance.”
The lightweight yet powerful T-Hybrid system features a newly developed electric turbocharger. An integrated electric motor positioned between the compressor wheel and turbine wheel rapidly increases the turbocharger’s speed to generate immediate boost pressure. The turbocharger’s electric motor can also serve as a generator, utilizing the energy generated from the exhaust gas flow to produce up to 11 kW (15 hp). The electric turbocharger, lacking a wastegate, ensures dynamic and responsive power delivery using a single turbocharger, as opposed to conventional setups.
Additionally, the powertrain incorporates a permanently excited synchronous motor integrated within the newly stronger 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Even at idle, it provides an additional drive torque of up to 15.3 kg·m to support the horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum boost of 40 kW. Porsche has combined both electric motors with a lightweight, compact high-voltage battery. Its size and weight match that of the existing 12-volt starter battery, operating at 400 V and capable of storing up to 1.9 kWh of energy. For weight optimization, the 12 V on-board electrical system utilizes a lightweight lithium-ion battery.
The heart of the T-Hybrid drive is the newly developed 3.6-liter boxer engine. The air conditioning compressor is driven by a high-voltage system, eliminating the need for a belt drive, making the engine more compact. This creates space above the power unit for the pulse inverter and DC-DC converter. Due to the increased bore of 97mm and the extended stroke of 81mm, the displacement has increased by 0.6 liters compared to the previous model. The engine features VarioCam camshaft control and valve control with rocker arms, maintaining an ideal air and fuel mix ratio across the entire map, lambda 1.
The new boxer engine produces 485 hp and 58.1 kg·m of torque without electric assistance, with a total system output of 541 hp, an increase of 61 hp over the previous model, and 62.2 kg·m of torque. The 911 Carrera GTS accelerates faster from a standstill to 100 km/h compared to the previous model. This efficient performance hybrid offers dynamic driving characteristics while significantly reducing CO2 emissions with a weight only 50 kg more than its predecessor.
The 911 Carrera still utilizes the 3.0-liter boxer engine with twin turbochargers, but notably, the intercooler’s location has been shifted to just below the rear lid grill and above the engine. The turbocharger exclusive to the previous GTS model is installed in the new 911 Carrera, reducing exhaust emissions while providing a power boost of 394 hp and a maximum torque of 45.8 kg·m for enhanced performance. The new 911 Carrera coupe accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (3.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono package) and reaches a top speed of 294 km/h, improving by 0.1 seconds and 1 km/h respectively compared to the previous model.
The suspension of the 911 Carrera GTS has also been significantly upgraded. For the first time, rear axle steering is included as standard, enhancing high-speed stability and reducing the turning radius. Additionally, the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control Anti-Roll Stabilization system has been integrated with the performance hybrid’s high-voltage system, allowing for more flexible and precise system control through electronic hydraulic control. The sport suspension (PASM) equipped with a variable damper system provides a 10 mm reduced ride height, ensuring the characteristic handling of the GTS.
The new 911 offers a total of 7 wheel designs in 19-/20-inch or 20-/21-inch sizes. The 911 Carrera can be equipped with exclusive design wheels featuring carbon blades that reduce air resistance to enhance efficiency for the first time. The 911 Carrera GTS model comes standard with 21-inch wheels in the rear with a width of 11.5 inches and 315/30 ZR 21 tires, while the front features 20-inch wheels with a width of 8.5 inches and 245/35 ZR 20 tires. The rear tire width has also been increased to match the significantly enhanced performance, improving the driving dynamics and traction of the 911 Carrera GTS.
Through detailed updates, the new 911 features a streamlined exterior design, enhancing both aerodynamics and performance as a sports car. Model-specific bumpers are applied, and all lighting functions are integrated into the newly standard matrix LED headlights boasting a distinctive 4-point graphic, allowing for more space for broader cooling vents at the front of the vehicle through the omission of conventional daytime running lights.
The front end of the 911 Carrera GTS is equipped with five active cooling air flaps arranged vertically and another concealed flap capable of closing the bypass on both sides. The new adaptive front diffuser controlled with cooling air flaps is introduced for the first time in the 911. This allows regulation of airflow as needed, optimizing aerodynamics by closing the flaps when lower output is required while delivering more air to the radiator during high-output driving situations, such as track days. Now, the auxiliary system sensor is located behind a high-gloss surface beneath the vehicle’s license plate.
High-resolution HD matrix LED headlights featuring over 32,000 pixels are offered as an option. The long-range visibility of the high-performance high beams extends to 600 meters, and innovative additional features are provided dynamically, including cornering lights, lane brightening, construction site and bottleneck lights, and anti-glare high beams with pixel-level precision.
The redesigned light strip features an arch integrated with the ‘PORSCHE’ logo, giving the 911’s rear a deeper and wider appearance. The new aesthetically structured rear grill connects with the rear window, forming a graphic unit that gradually fades away beneath the variable spoiler. The license plate is positioned higher, and the rear bumper has been distinctly structured. The model-specific exhaust system elegantly integrates into the diffuser fins. The 911 Carrera model offers a sporty exhaust system as an option, while the 911 Carrera GTS model comes standard with the GTS-specific sporty exhaust system.
The optional aerodynamics kit further enhances the performance of the 911 coupe. The aerodynamics kit includes a uniquely designed SportDesign front bumper, side sill panels, and a lightweight fixed rear wing, enhancing traction while reducing lift.
Porsche has designed the standard interior of the new 911 coupe for two occupants, with the option to select a 2+2 seating configuration at no additional cost. The Porsche driver experience control concept combines the familiar 911 design DNA with modern technology, centering on the driver’s axis for intuitive and rapid operation. Essential control functions are located on the steering wheel or nearby, with the standard driving mode switch, improved driver assistance control lever, and the first-ever start button located to the left of the steering wheel. The center console storage space of the new 911 features a smartphone wireless charging device with cooling functionality.
The first fully digitized instrument cluster is installed in the 911. The 12.6-inch curved display harmonizes with the new control and display concept, providing extensive personalization options. It provides up to seven views, including an exclusive classic display inspired by the Porsche dial design with five tubes and a central tachometer.
The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system continues to operate via a 10.9-inch high-resolution central display. Porsche has improved the driving mode personalization features and driver assistance systems in the new 911. The new 911 also supports new connectivity features. The process of logging into PCM with a Porsche ID using a QR code has been simplified, and Apple CarPlay is integrated more precisely. Through CarPlay, information can be displayed on the instrument cluster, allowing direct control of vehicle functions via voice support like Siri. Video streaming is available for the first time while in parking mode (optional), and it’s possible to use Spotify and Apple Music directly through PCM without connecting a smartphone.
The new 911 Carrera comes in rear-wheel-drive coupe and cabriolet models. The 911 Carrera GTS can be configured with all-wheel drive and targa body types. All models are equipped with PDK as standard.
In South Korea, the new 911 Carrera GTS is planned for launch in the first half of 2025, with starting prices, including VAT, beginning at 229.8 million KRW.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr