Next-Gen Porsche 911 Prototype Bullies 2018 BMW X5 in Nurburgring Sprint

Nevertheless, with such tests taking place during the industry pool days, the 992 prototypes have obviously encountered other test vehicles on the Nordschleife, which just happened to be considerably slower.

Let's take the 2018 BMW X5 in the piece of Ring spy footage below, for instance. The 992 Neunelfer met the fourth-generation X5 just as the latter was entering the Adenauer Forst section of the track. And it';s enough to compare the nearly-drifting line the 911 had taken during one of the previous laps to understand how deep such an encounter can influence a run.

Nevertheless, with its wider tracks and slightly more balanced engine positioning (don't fret, the Neunelfer remains a rear-engined animal), the Porscha wasn't all that bothered by the necessary line adjustments.

In fact, all this play only offers us a better occasion to check out the soundtrack of the 911. We'll mention that the Carrera and Carrera S models are expected to be animated by refreshed versions of the current models' turbocharged 3.0-liter boxers, which debuted on the 991.2 generation.

And the next-gen X5 wasn't the only tester that got in the way of the 2019 Porsche 911 prototypes. For instance, the Zuffenhausen machines were also slowed down by a Lexus IS. As for why the Japanese automaker was testing a second-generation IS F on the infamous German track, this raises quite an important question.

We'll remind you that the current, third-generation IS hasn't received an F model, with the most potent model in the range being the V6-animated IS 350, which packs over 310 horses. So perhaps the automotive producer is preparing to deliver a proper range-topper.