In production since 2019, the eighth-generation Porsche 911 is ready to receive its 992.2 mid-cycle revamp, scheduled to hit the market in the second half of 2024. And the greatest change comes from the first hybrid 911, which you can now see testing with a Turbo body for its 2025 launch. At the other end of the powertrain change scales, we have icons like the 992.2 911 GT3 facelift, which we’ll discuss later on.
For years now, Porsche has confirmed the electrification of the 911. And while this gas-electric model will arrive with the upcoming facelift, the first 992.2 models will remain motivated by combustion engines alone, which contradicts initial reports on the hybrid 911.
The latest details on this come from Frank Moser, Vice President of Model Lines 911 and 718, who recently told Motor Trend that the 992.2 will receive a “hybrid, a performance hybrid,”, while adding this will be released “about in the middle of the decade.” When asked for more details, the executive said the first hybrid 911 will come in “maybe two years”, hence the 2025 expectation.
Porsche engineers have to deal with the limited energy density of the current battery technology, with the main concern involving keeping the 911’s weight in check. And this is why multiple reports talk about the 911 becoming a hybrid rather than a plug-in hybrid—the latter use larger, less scale-friendly batteries, even though Porsche has gracefully managed this challenge a decade ago for its yet-unreplaced 918 Spyder hypercar.
One of the most detailed stories on this dates back to March, when Autocar wrote that Porsche would revive the 911 GT2 RS with a hybrid setup. This would involve using the 911 Turbo/Turbo S as a starting point for the hybrid, with a 48V mild-hybrid system used. We’ve seen this kind of development with BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar Land Rover, where 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines work with a single, larger turbo for extra power at the top, while torque necessities at lower RPM are handled by the mild-hybrid hardware.
Here’s the 992.2 Porsche 911 Hybrid testing with a Turbo body
The adjacent spy video shows the 992.2 Porsche 911 hybrid testing with a Turbo body (note the widebody and the air intakes on the rear fenders). Stephan Barral, the spy shooter behind the clip, confirms these details, while the little yellow sticker in the top, right corner of the windshield also tells us we’re looking at a hybrid vehicle.
Even with a 48V system featuring a small battery (most likely fitted under the rear seats), the 911 hybrid should offer over 700 hp, as the twin-turbo 3.8L boxer powering the Turbo (S) base will also be revised.
It’s worth noting that sports cars like the 911 were under tremendous pressure from the stricter Euro 7 emission regulations. However, back in October, the European Parliament voted a delay from mid-2025 to mid-2030 for Euro 7—that’s two years after the 992.2 hands the crown over to the next-gen 994 Porsche 911.
And while Porsche has repeatedly stated that a 911 EV isn’t coming this decade, we’ll remind you the 718 EV is on track for a 2025 release and will be offered alongside the current 718 ICE models for a while.
To ensure the 911 remains a last bastion for ICE Porsches, the automaker is making serious investments into synthetic fuels, all while also working with US solid-state battery manufacturer Quantumscape for its next generation of EVs.
992.2 Porsche 911 GT3 facelift
As mentioned in the intro, the 992.2 Porsche 911 GT3 is one of the few derivatives whose powertrain will only receive limited changes for the mid-cycle facelift. And we mean this an overly positive manner!
The current (992.1) GT3 is animated by a naturally aspirated 4.0L flat-six producing 502 hp and 346 lb-ft of torque, which can be mated to a six-speed manual or a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic. So while the power gain will be minimal, the GT3 keeping its N/A boxer around in this era is brilliant news, especially since this version feels just as well on the track as it does on the road.
And now that it’s Spring 2024, you can check out a 992.2 911 GT3 prototype testing around the Nurburgring in the Instagram post below (lens tip to Wilco Blok).
911 hybrid launch schedule report via Motor Trend