Would you believe, it's nearing replacement time already for the Porsche 911? The 991 platform, in a textbook example of how-time-flies-dom, was introduced back in 2011. And that, as cars become ever-more tech-packed, is aeons. Yes, it's very different to how things used to be for the 911 - only getting water-cooled engines in 1997 and all that - but time waits for no car brand. Besides, Porsche is currently loaded: why not use some of that money it's printing to develop an all-new 911?
Cue
the 992, spied here once again in testing. Wearing a muletto body of the current car, surely? Nope: this is it, largely undisguised. Some 911 traditions will never change, and this is a textbook example of evolution. The big standout is wider track front and rear - check out the front wing flares - plus the potentially controversial introduction of new door handles. The front lid's possibly getting some fluting too, which could also ruffle a few feathers.
The rear tail lights look pure Mission E, and thus beautiful, while that deployable rear wing seems a bit of a whopper. Looks like there may be some advanced drag-reducing throughflow aero at work, judging by the size and depth of the vents in the side of the rear bumper. Seeing four quad exhausts so prominently placed is nice, too.
There are some more revealing nuggets from the interior shots - the 992 911 is going to get an electronic instrument display option for the first time. It seems today's mix of analogue clocks and digital inset displays will remain, but an additional 'virtual cockpit' setup with two electronic screens astride an analogue tacho will be offered. This will likely be configurable beyond belief, with endless options to mix and match layouts and readouts. Traditionalists may bristle at the thought, but it's what luxury sports car buyers demand - and, who knows, Porsche could just use it to add even more trick track-friendly Sport Chrono features. But please, Porsche, just make sure the five-roundel fascia remains, won't you?
Underneath, the 992 will run on a new modular platform, with latest-era electronic architecture related to the Panamera. It'll be ready to autonomously assist, hook into future car-to-car communications, and likely to offer some form of electric hybrid drive. A plug-in Porsche 911 with city-friendly zero-emissions EV running? It's got to happen, surely? A full EV 911 won't, though: that's the job of the Mission E. The rest of the engine range will be built around today's still-fresh 991.2-era 3.0-litre turbo flat-sixes - but although a variation of this platform will be used in future 718 Boxster and Cayman, the 911 still won't be getting their four-cylinder boxer motors. Current expectations are that it won't get a normally-aspirated option, either: sorry, GT3 devotees...
As the new GT2 RS proves, there's still life in the old 991 platform yet, but its days are numbered. This new 992 is expected to be revealed next year for 2019 model-year sales. They way things are going for values of in-demand Porsches at the moment, if this thing's a ground-breaker, best get your order in now.
[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]
