The history of the 911 can be split into the air- and water-cooled eras. Come May 28, 2024 for the 2025 model year, a performance-focused hybrid system will help the Neunelfer enter its third era.
Our spy photographers have recently captured a 992.2 with almost no camouflage on it, which makes it much easier to determine what's changed from the pre-facelift, beginning with vertically-mounted active flaps in the redesigned front bumper. New internals for the headlights are present as well, along with a doubler-bar design out back, where you'll find a slightly revised aerodynamic diffuser and two round exhaust finishers.
Pictured on black-painted Turbo S alloy wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 for the rear axle, this 911 Targa 4 GTS also rocks black-painted brake calipers. At press time, Zuffenhausen's favorite son offers the 911 Targa 4 GTS with either yellow- or black-finished ceramic brakes.
It's not clear if the black prototype is equipped with the heavily-anticipated hybrid system, which is good for a Nurburgring lap time of 7:16.934 in the hands of brand ambassador Jorg Bergmeister. The German automaker says that it's 8.7 seconds faster than the equivalent version of the pre-facelift, yet Porsche did not mention which version.
The press release that confirms the hybrid 911 states that the test car was equipped with an aero kit that includes a fixed rear wing for increased downforce. For the 2024 model year, the only versions available with said kit are the Carrera and the GTS.
Photo: SH Proshots
The option bears order code VM2, and over in Germany, the aero kit adds €5,688.20 to the final price of the entry-level 911 Carrera Coupe. Not exactly a coincidence, all Neunelfers from the Carrera to the GTS rely on the very same 3.0L twin-turbo sixer. The force-fed boxer in question is good for anything between 385 and 480 metric ponies, with zero to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) ranging between 4.2 and 3.3 seconds.
Stupidly impressive numbers, for sure, and the hybridized 911 will be even more so due to near-instant torque from the electric motor. The hybrid setup allegedly includes an electric motor driving the front wheels, an integrated starter generator for the six-cylinder engine, and a high-voltage battery with a net capacity of approximately 2.0 kWh.
Reportedly dubbed T-HEV, the 400-volt system was allegedly developed by Porsche's road-going division in collaboration with the motorsport division and Croatian hypercar manufacturer Rimac. With Porsche holding a 45-percent share in Bugatti Rimac, the rumor does hold water.
Sources also indicate a new engine that will replace both the 3.7-liter unit of the Turbo series and the 4.0-liter boxer of the GT3 series. However, said change is expected to happen later in the 992.2's life cycle. Looking forward, the 994-generation 911 will reputedly hit dealer showrooms in 2028.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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