Porsche is gearing up to reveal its first-ever hybrid 911.
The updated 911 – the 992.2 generation, for Porsche nerds – will be revealed on May 28, and the brand has confirmed it’ll pack a hybrid drivetrain.
Exactly what form that will take isn’t clear. What is clear, is the fact the extra electric boost from the hybrid system will make for an even quicker rear-engined sports car.
Porsche has confirmed the updated 911 GTS lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:16.934, making it 8.7 seconds quicker than the current model.
Brand ambassador and race driver Jorg Bergmeister said the updated model has “become significantly faster” on track.
“We have more grip, significantly more power, and the spontaneous response of the performance hybrid is a great advantage”.
Currently, the 911 Carrera makes 283kW of power and 450Nm of torque from its 3.0-litre turbocharged flat-six. The Carrera S ups that to 331kW and 530Nm, while the GTS packs a 353kW and 570Nm punch.
A report late last year in Car and Driver indicated the hybrid system, potentially branded T-HEV, will have a small electric motor driving the front wheels, and producing between 60kW and 67kW.
Electric hypercar specialist Rimac, which is 45 per cent owned by Porsche, is claimed to have developed the hybrid system that weighs a mere 27kg.
The electric motor is reportedly powered by a small 2.0kWh battery pack that’s recharged via regenerative braking, and by the petrol engine.
There’s also an integrated starter-generator for the petrol engine, while the report claims the 400V electrical system is designed for rapid charge and discharge.
Whatever makes it up, Porsche says the new system has been put through its paces in freezing arctic conditions, the blazing desert of Dubai, and everything else in between in preparation for its launch.
“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,” said Frank Moser, the vice president responsible for the 911 and 718 model lines.
“All in all, our engineers and test drivers clocked up more than five million kilometres of development driving.”
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