It seems Autocar have got their hands on some fresh new details for the internally named 991 Porsche; the next-generation Porsche 911. The details extend through Hybrid, Cabriolet and Coupé models and confirm existing rumour as well as creating fresh speculation.
As you would expect, the general shape of the car won’t change a great deal. The 911 will retain a steel platform structure with steel body parts combined with aluminium and plastic composites. Weight should dip to 1525kg as part of a ‘weight optimisation program’. Screen angles and the length of the front and rear overhangs won’t change, although the car will grow in length and width, most notably in the wheel arches where the new car will accommodate 20 inch wheels.
LED Headlamps and tail-lights will be added and subtle differentiating tweaks will be applied to tell the model apart from the out-going 997 model. Aerodynamic tweaks will be made to the spoiler and active aerodynamic measures may be incorporated within the front air ducts for the Turbo models.
Cabriolet models will retain the fabric roof with a few extra features. Firstly, the roof will operate at speeds up to 37mph, secondly, you will be able to activate it via a button on the key fob.
As you would expect from Porsche, incremental improvements will be made to the six-cylinder, direct injection petrol unit. Expect increases in power and torque and slight reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In 14 months time, expect to see a 3.6 liter engine with 365bhp and 295lb-ft in the Carrera and a revised 3.8 liter powerplant delivering 415bhp and 325lb-ft in the Carrera S. Both will feature a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and the seven-speed PDK (Porsche Doppel Kupplung) unit as an optional extra. Stop-start and a brake recuperation system are also planned. A the four-wheel-drive Carrera 4S is planned for October 2012 with performance variants (Turbo, GT3 and GT2) to follow later on.
When pressed about a 911 Hybrid, Autocar’s source said, “We have already got a Cayenne hybrid and we are working on a similar solution for the Panamera. However, the 911 is a totally different proposition in terms of performance, weight and packaging.” A complete electric 911 looks totally out of the question.
Understandably, the interior borrows from the new Panamera and Cayenne models. New mounting points will help create more space in the cabin, whilst boot space grows to 140 litres also retaining its 68-litre fuel tank.
Keep checking back for more info on the car!
