One might imagine that the upcoming 992.2 mid-cycle revamp of the Porsche 911 isn’t that important. After all, this is but a facelift, right? However, while Porsche’s Neunelfer revisions often bring massive tech changes, this is one of the most important ever, since it’s set to guide the iconic Neunelfer into the electrified era.
Last year, Porsche’s first EV, the Taycan, outsold the 911. Given that the former is a sedan/wagon and the latter a sports car, one would say the balance of sales was to be expected. Nevertheless, while the Taycan‘s own tech prowess (e.g., 800V electric hardware, two-speed gearbox, etc.) propelled the machine, the long-roof owes a hefty part of its reputation to the backbone model that is the 911.
Porsche is doubling down on the electrification work
The German automaker may have delayed the launch of the Macan EV to next year (2024MY) due to software-related matters, but the company still has plenty of battery-powered models in the pipeline for the next few years. As such, the 718 mid-engined sports car will become an all-electric affair around 2025, while Porsche is set to introduce a sporty EV SUV slotted above the Cayenne the following year.
And, in the midst of the electrification range, the Neunelfer must remain relevant, helping Porsche maintain its image in a market that’s becoming increasingly populated. Speaking of which, while the company has confirmed that the Neunelfer will be electrified, with the change set to be introduced by the 992.2, Porsche hasn’t mentioned the extent of the transformation.
An all-electric version seems out of the question this decade, as Porsche has previously talked about developing synthetic fuels to keep the ICE (internal combustion engine) sports car on the road for as long as possible. At the other end of the spectrum, a 48V mild-hybrid system seems of too little importance, which leaves us with the two most probable option: a hybrid with a rather small battery capacity or a plug-in hybrid capable of an electric range of over 30 miles (50 km).
However, given that the current Lithium-ion batteries have a limited energy density, the weight penalty required to build the Neunelfer into a plug-in hybrid probably means this is not a viable option. Of course, the situation may change, at least from a technical if not an image standpoint, once the superior solid-state batteries become mainstream in the second part of the decade.
Regardless, a previous prototype sighting allows us to listen to the voice of the upcoming 911 hybrid, whcih will naturally come in AWD form.
So, what else is new for the 992.2 Porsche 911?
With the 991.1 range now extending from the base Carrera to the Autobahn blitzer that is the Turbo S and the recently-unboxed GT3 RS, the road is paved for the 992.2.
As far as the engine range is concerned, the 911 might follow the example of the 718 and adopt a (somewhat detuned) version of the 4.0L naturally aspirate boxer in the GT3 and GT3 RS outside the GT part of the range—this is currently occupied exclusively by 3.0L turbocharged flat-sixes.
On the body style front, Porsche has been cooking a lifted 911 Safari (no more aftermarket dependence) for quite a while now, with previous prototypes having hinted this will land soon.
As per tradition, cabin changes will be limited. Even so, in a brief return to the Taycan part of the story, we’ll mention the EV is set to lend its all-digital instrument cluster layout to the Neunelfer. Goodbye, central analog tacho, you’ve been a trusty partner for six decades!
With a myriad of 992.2 Porsche 911 prototypes currently completing the final development stage, you can zoom in on such a test car being tested on the Nürburgring (by the way, here’s a Ram TRX on the Green Hell) in the CarSpyMedia-delivered YouTube clip at the bottom of the story. As for the production 992.2, this is expected to bow next year, coming as a 2024 model.
Update (November 30, 2023): 911 hybrid coming in 2025
Here’s the 992.2 Porsche 911 hybrid testing with a Turbo body. It’s worth noting that Frank Moser, Vice President of Model Lines 911 and 718, has stated this battery-aided model will land around 2025, meaning the initial 992.2 versions will rely solely in internal combustion engines.
