Photo: SB-Medien
As it happens ahead of just about any Zuffenhausen premiere, tons of reports show up, giving you the impression you know everything about the car ahead of its launch. In reality, Porsche knows how to put on a show while also maintaining the information that matters for the official unveiling.
The 2016 Porsche 911 mid-cycle revamp reinvention is no exception and we are here to talk about the latest unofficial info on its technical side. Warning - all those who have reasons to fear the 911 will be terrified by this report.
We already knew the Carrera and the Carrera S will drop their 3.4- and 3.8-liter atmospheric flat-sixes in favor of two incarnations of an all-new turbocharged six-cylinder boxer.
A Porsche insider has confirmed to us earlier this year that the flat six shares its basic architecture with the upcoming four-cylinder boxers that will power the 2017 Cayman and 2017 Boxster. We are talking about a pair of flat-fours using 2-liter and 2.5-liter displacements.
According to autocar, we’ll have a 20 hp bump almost across the range. Thus, the Carrera will deliver 370 hp at 6,500 rpm (+20 hp, 1,000 rpm lower). This will see the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint dropping by 0.2s to 4.2s, while the 180 mph (290 km/h) top speed will remain unchanged.
As for the Carrera S, this gets 420 hp and a peak torque of 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) - thanks to the forced induction, the maximum twist value arrives as low as 1,700 rpm. In terms of performance, the Carrera S will hit 62 mph 0.5s quicker, with an inspiring sprint time of 4 seconds flat in PDK trim. Once again, the top speed remains the same, sitting at 189 mph (305 km/h).
The British publication tells us that Porsche engineers claim “the new engine provides a big improvement in low-end tractability and enhanced flexibility across the rev range, which peaks at 7,500rpm.”
At this point, we can’t help but wonder whether the new 3-liter engine will introduce Porsche’s variable compression ratio system, which was revealed in a patent earlier this year.
The Carrera S marks the point where things really start to heat up. First of all, it seems the traditional Porsche Exclusive power kit will take the model to 450 hp (once again, a 20 hp premium).
Just as important, the four-wheel steering of the 911 Turbo and GT3/GT3 RS models will also find its way into the Carrera S, obviously as an option. We don’t know yet how the rear steering will be paired with traction. It may come for RWD models, AWD versions or both.
The GT3 will also lend its nose lift system to the rest of the range.
The new three-liter turbo will offer an increase in efficiency of roughly up to 15 percent. As for the emotional side, the engine will get a sound symposer that will channel its noise into the cabin.
And speaking of feelings and emotions, the steering wheel-mounted controller we’ve seen in the spyshots (gallery below) will allow the driver to choose between four driving modes. Reminding us of the control system installed on the 918 Spyder, this will also incorporate a new Sport Response system. The latter will allow the driver to choose how the engine responds, while also minimizing turbo lag.
Moving higher up the range, the GTS and the pair of GT3 models will remain naturally-aspirated.
There’s no mention of the 2016 Turbo/Turbo S though. With the Carrera S power kit now sitting just 70 hp below these supercars, we’re on our toes, expecting to see what changes Porsche does in this department.
We’ll remind you a rumor dating back to 2014 suggested Porsche could push the Turbo S towards 700 hp with the help of hybrid technology. Nevertheless, meanwhile we found out that the 911 will probably have to wait until its next generation arrives in 2020 to get a hybrid version. And we’re back to mystery square one.
We already knew the Carrera and the Carrera S will drop their 3.4- and 3.8-liter atmospheric flat-sixes in favor of two incarnations of an all-new turbocharged six-cylinder boxer.
A Porsche insider has confirmed to us earlier this year that the flat six shares its basic architecture with the upcoming four-cylinder boxers that will power the 2017 Cayman and 2017 Boxster. We are talking about a pair of flat-fours using 2-liter and 2.5-liter displacements.
According to autocar, we’ll have a 20 hp bump almost across the range. Thus, the Carrera will deliver 370 hp at 6,500 rpm (+20 hp, 1,000 rpm lower). This will see the 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) sprint dropping by 0.2s to 4.2s, while the 180 mph (290 km/h) top speed will remain unchanged.
As for the Carrera S, this gets 420 hp and a peak torque of 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) - thanks to the forced induction, the maximum twist value arrives as low as 1,700 rpm. In terms of performance, the Carrera S will hit 62 mph 0.5s quicker, with an inspiring sprint time of 4 seconds flat in PDK trim. Once again, the top speed remains the same, sitting at 189 mph (305 km/h).
The British publication tells us that Porsche engineers claim “the new engine provides a big improvement in low-end tractability and enhanced flexibility across the rev range, which peaks at 7,500rpm.”
At this point, we can’t help but wonder whether the new 3-liter engine will introduce Porsche’s variable compression ratio system, which was revealed in a patent earlier this year.
The Carrera S marks the point where things really start to heat up. First of all, it seems the traditional Porsche Exclusive power kit will take the model to 450 hp (once again, a 20 hp premium).
Just as important, the four-wheel steering of the 911 Turbo and GT3/GT3 RS models will also find its way into the Carrera S, obviously as an option. We don’t know yet how the rear steering will be paired with traction. It may come for RWD models, AWD versions or both.
The GT3 will also lend its nose lift system to the rest of the range.
The new three-liter turbo will offer an increase in efficiency of roughly up to 15 percent. As for the emotional side, the engine will get a sound symposer that will channel its noise into the cabin.
And speaking of feelings and emotions, the steering wheel-mounted controller we’ve seen in the spyshots (gallery below) will allow the driver to choose between four driving modes. Reminding us of the control system installed on the 918 Spyder, this will also incorporate a new Sport Response system. The latter will allow the driver to choose how the engine responds, while also minimizing turbo lag.
Moving higher up the range, the GTS and the pair of GT3 models will remain naturally-aspirated.
There’s no mention of the 2016 Turbo/Turbo S though. With the Carrera S power kit now sitting just 70 hp below these supercars, we’re on our toes, expecting to see what changes Porsche does in this department.
We’ll remind you a rumor dating back to 2014 suggested Porsche could push the Turbo S towards 700 hp with the help of hybrid technology. Nevertheless, meanwhile we found out that the 911 will probably have to wait until its next generation arrives in 2020 to get a hybrid version. And we’re back to mystery square one.
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