Porsche’s Iconic 911 to Embrace Electrification with Performance Hybrids

Venerable Sports Car Set for a Hybrid Revival

For years, Porsche has been teasing the electrification of their beloved 911, and while the promise of a hybrid sports car has been on the horizon, it’s still not quite here. In fact, the iconic performance machine from Zuffenhausen won’t receive an electric motor until the end of this year, or even into 2024. Enthusiasts eagerly await the arrival of the first versions with a facelift, affectionately known as the 992.2, expected to make their debut sometime next year. However, there’s a catch: these initial models will remain solely reliant on combustion engines.

 

 

Recently, Motor Trend sat down with Frank Moser, Vice President Model Lines 911 and 718, to discuss the future of the 911, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Moser announced that Porsche is actively developing the 992.2, a model that will introduce a “hybrid, a performance hybrid.” He went on to reveal that it’s slated for release “about in the middle of the decade.”

Eager for more specifics, Motor Trend pressed Moser on when the first hybrid 911 would arrive, to which he responded, “Maybe two years.” This indirect confirmation suggests that the initial versions of the 992.2 will not be hybrids. The electrified model(s) will likely find their foundation in one of the high-performing members of the extensive 911 lineup. Regardless of the specific form it takes, Michael Steiner, Porsche board member for development, emphasized the importance of keeping the hybrid sports car from becoming excessively heavy.

 

 

Recent spy shots have captured a prototype of the 992.2 with intriguing characteristics. A yellow round sticker on the rear glass indicates its electrified nature, further reinforced by the presence of “EV” letters on the license plate. Reports suggest this will be a non-plug-in hybrid, a strategic choice given that plug-in hybrids often come with larger batteries that can add weight and complexity, leading to packaging challenges.

Earlier this year, Autocar reported that the GT2 RS, potentially pictured in a test mule below, is poised to embrace a hybrid setup, making it the quickest and most powerful 911 to date. This model is expected to borrow from the Turbo S’s flat-six 3.8-liter engine and integrate a mild-hybrid system derived from the 963 LMDh endurance racer. Rumors hint at a combined output exceeding 700 horsepower, with a significant torque boost over the already formidable 590 pound-feet (800 Newton-meters) of the Turbo S.

Addressing concerns about added weight, Autocar suggests the hybrid 911 won’t exceed a 220-pound penalty. As a comparison, the Turbo S coupe currently weighs in at 3,636 pounds.

 

 

Despite the excitement surrounding electrification, Porsche has been clear that a fully electric 911 won’t become a reality this decade. Instead, the 911 is expected to be the last Porsche model to offer a combustion engine, a transition that may be aided by Porsche’s investments in synthetic fuels. This marks an exciting yet nostalgic shift in the future of the iconic 911.