Ah, the magic of Porsche - whenever the 911 line-up is complete with the extreme models, as it is now, it’s already time to look ahead to a major upgrade. Welcome to the world of the 2016 Porsche 911 Facelift.
Zuffenhausen has decided not to wait until the next Neunelfer generation for a major tech update, so don’t let yourselves fooled by the traditionally restrained exterior changes. The 991.2 (chassis code hasn’t been confirmed yet) will bring a turbo revolution upon us, but let’s discuss what meets the eye first.
The clip bellow allows us to see a model in its production form, with the camera zooming in on the details. Visually speaking, this will be one of those 911 revamps where you’ll struggle to spot the differences.
As far as the light clusters go, the overall shape remains unchanged, with new inner graphics marking the change. As for the fascias, the front element is slightly redesigned and should show up with active shutter grilles. At the rear, the side air vents battle the new central exhaust layout for the title of an important change. The retro-inspired engine cover, along with the active rear wing, which is well integrated into the rear end, complete the list.
The footage does show the cabin a little bit, but sadly we don’t get to see too many details. Nevertheless, while the seats in this car appear unchanged, the recent spy shots showed a new type of seats that featured massive holes in the upper backrest.
The technical sorcery
While we’ll have to wait a bit more for the official details, the rumors talk about a pair of turbocharged engines.
The entry-level Carrera is expected to leave its NA 3.4-liter 6-cylinder boxer behind, replacing it with a forced-fed 2.7-liter unit. Don’t mistake this for the atmospheric 2.7 flat six on the base Boxster and Cayman though.
As for the Carrera S, it should ditch its 3.8-liter boxer for a 3.8-liter turbo. Once again, the cubic capacity might be similar to that of the current Boxster S/Cayman S, but the forced-fed unit on the 911 should move from the current 350 hp towards 400 hp.
These engines will probably make use of Porsche’s yet unrevealed engineering development, namely variable compression ratio. This should allow them to offer a linear power delivery while improving fuel efficiency. For instance, the average figure for the Carrera S should sit at 29.4 mpg (8l/100 km).
Atmospheric engine fans shouldn’t fret though. Porsche has confirmed they’ll release a back-to-basics version of the 911 that will keep the NA 3.8-liter flat six. This will treat its driver with elements such as a manual and skinnier tires that will allow for a more emotional handling.
While the 991 facelift will bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall, those seeking the ultimate novelties on a 911 (yes, such folks exist), will have to wait until around 2020. That’s when the next-gen Neunelfer will arrive, bringing a hybrid version.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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