Porsche gives 911 a hybrid performance boost

PORSCHE is hanging onto petrol power in its iconic 911 model for a while yet, but has just completed testing of a new performance-oriented hybrid powertrain for the 992.2 update that will be revealed on May 28 and is said to be “considerably faster”.

How much faster is it than its predecessor, exactly? More than eight seconds around the Nürburgring Nordschleife, according to former racing driver and Porsche ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, who piloted the hybrid 911 around the famed circuit in a blistering 7:16.934 minutes.

“The new 911 has become considerably faster on the track,” Mr. Bergmeister said. “We have more grip, significantly more power, and the spontaneous response of the performance hybrid is a great advantage.”

Until Porsche unveils the new 992.2 generation later this month, few details are known, but Porsche appears to be using the hybrid system as a performance booster rather than scaling back petrol outputs.

GoAuto understands the 911’s hybrid system is not of the plug-in variety and will presumably drive the front wheels.

“For the first time in our icon’s 61-year history, we are installing a hybrid drive system in a roadgoing 911,” said Porsche vice president of model line 911 and 718, Frank Moser. “This innovative performance hybrid makes the 911 even more dynamic.”

An extensive development and testing program, which put the hybrid system to the test in urban, rural, and race track environments around the world, saw Porsche amass more than five million kilometres in the new 911 model.

“We left nothing to chance during development and tested the new 911 under all sorts of conditions all over the world,” Mr. Moser said. “From the freezing cold to scorching heat, as was the case during the final stages of testing in Dubai. Whether at a high drivetrain load in the demanding conditions of mountain passes or in the stop-and-go traffic of an urban environment, the new 911 has mastered even the most difficult challenges with aplomb.”

While Porsche already offers electric-only power in its Taycan range and plug-in hybrid Cayenne and Panamera models, this is the first time in the 911’s 61-year history that it deviates from petrol-only power.

Of course, Porsche does have quite a bit of experience producing performance-focused hybrids, like the 918 Spyder hypercar launched back in 2013, and the successful Le Mans 919 Hybrid prototype used across the 2014 to 2017 seasons of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The world premiere of the new Porsche 911 will be broadcast online at 11:00pm AEST on May 28.