Exterior
Porsche describes the new 911 as having a flat stretched silhouette, exciting contours, and precisely designed details. The vehicle’s body is constructed of aluminum-steel and provides the Porsche with a weight reductions of up to 45kg (or about 99 lbs). The weight reduction is matched up with aerodynamic optimization, providing reduced lift while retaining a good coefficient of drag value. An example of the aerodynamic changes is the new wider, variably extending rear spoiler.
Compared to the car it replaces, the next generation 911’s wheelbase is about 100mm longer. This, plus the reduced height of the vehicle, will provide an even more muscular stance to the new 911. The Porsche’s classic wide arched wings extend to an even wider front track, giving off a visual impression of width. These wider attributes are matched up with new wheels, in sizes of up to 20″. The exterior has also received remodeled exterior mirrors now located on the upper edge of the doors as opposed to the mirror triangles as seen on previous models.
Interior
The new Porsche 911/991’s interior design was borrowed from the Carrera GT and provides an environment that is more driver-focused. The center console has been moved up to the front with the high mounted shift lever or gear selector. These elements are located especially close to the steering wheel as is typical in motorsport.
The classic instrument still finds its way into the 911and includes five round instruments to guide the way. The main components of the instrument cluster include a high resolution, multi-function screen, a central rev counter, and an ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.
Engine and Performance
The new 911/991 Carrera’s engine has been downsized from the 3.6L flat-six to a 3.4L direct-injected flat-six engine that delivers a total of 350 HP, mated to a new, optional Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK). With no less than seven forward gears, the new gearbox combines the driving comfort of a converter automatic transmission with the dynamic gearshift of a sequential racing gearbox. This combination gives way to a 0-62 mph sprint time of 4.6 seconds, or 4.4 seconds when teamed up with the optional Sport Chrono Package.
The Porsche 911 Carrera S, on the the other hand, will continue on with its 3.8-liter flat-six with direct injection engine, but its power has been raised to 400 HP. This, plus the PDK, allows the Carrera S a 0-62 mph sprint time of 4.3 seconds (an improvement of 0.2 seconds). That improvement increases when the setup is matched up with the Sport Chrono Package, leaving a 0-62 mph time of 4.1 seconds.
Both models can also be matched up with the standard, and the world’s first, seven-speed manual gearbox.
All the improvements made to the new generation 911 have helped the car to significantly improve its Nurburgring lap time. During a recent test drive, the 911/991 has scored a time of 7 min. 40 seconds, or about 13 seconds faster than the previous model.
Rumors for a hybrid variant have also been circulating, ever since a prototype was spotted with extra devices attached to the brakes. The rear hood of this vehicle was enlarged and vented, while the side vent was an illusion created by a stick-on detail. A couple of months after this prototype was seen on the streets, Autoblog reported that all the models in the next generation Porsche 911 line-up would be offered with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, which has only been used in Formula 1 vehicles and, most recently, Ferrari models. That report was quickly shot down by Porsche Panamera Hybrid development chief, Michael Steiner, who said that the company has no plans in using any kind of hybrid technologies for the sports car: “That’s nonsense. The system is currently applied to a race car. Nothing else is planned. The new 911 will not be offered with hybrid drive for the foreseeable future. If and when it is, then it will most likely happen as a plug-in.” It would make sense for Porsche to drop a hybrid variant for this model, but as of right now, there are no concrete details supporting such a scenario.
Improved Fuel Efficiency and Emissions
Porsche has raised the performance and efficiency bar by providing no less than 10 liters of fuel per 100 km (258 mpg imp or 23.3 mpg US). Thanks to auto start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission and – in conjunction with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) – sailing, fuel consumption and emissions have been lowered by up to 16% when compared to the previous 911 model. The Porsche 911/991 has electro mechanical power steering for precision and feedback which also helps efficiency and fuel consumption.
What this translates into for the Carrera is a reduced fuel consumption of 1.6l/100km (( 6 mpg imp. or 4.99 mpg US) compared to its predecessor, or 8.2l/100km ( 34 mpg imp. or 28.3 mpg US) based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Furthermore, the new 911 Carrera is the first Porsche to make it below the 200g/km mark with 194g/km CO2 emissions.
As for the Carrera S, this model’s fuel consumption, when paired with the PDK, is reduced by 14%. This translates into a drop of 1.5l/100km ( 5 mpg imp. or 4.16 mpg US) to 8.71l/100km ( 32 mpg imp. or 26.6 mpg US). All this and the Carrera S still managed a 15 HP boost in power. That equates to CO2 emissions of 205 g/km.
Handling and Dynamics
The new 911 doesn’t just offer better longitudinal dynamics, however, but top performance at an unprecedented level in terms of transverse dynamics as well. In addition to the longer wheelbase, the greater agility, precision and driving stability are based, among other things, on the wider front track, the new rear axle and new electro-mechanical power steering. Depending on the model, there are other standard or optional active control systems available as well that further enhance the driving dynamics. That is especially true for the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) active roll stabilization system, available for the first time on the 911 Carrera S. For example, the system reduces lateral inclination when cornering, the tires always being in the optimal position relative to the road surface and able to transmit higher lateral forces. Maximum cornering speeds are increased; even faster lap times on racing circuits are possible.
When Can I Buy One?
The next generation Porsche 911 will make its world debut in 2011 at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. The car will then be launched on December 3, 2011. Orders can be placed starting September 1, 2011. Prices in Germany are 88,038 euro (or $126,899 at the current rates) for the 911 Carrera and 102,436 euro (or $147,641 at the current rates) for the 911 Carrera S, including 19 per cent VAT and market-specific equipment.
That’s not all, either. Want to order the Porsche 911/991? There’s an app for that! Our source has also revealed that Porsche is developing an iPad app that will allow clients to play around with the options and place their order on Apple’s latest technological wonder. Porsche and Apple; now there’s a match made in heaven.
The Competition
The next Porsche 911 will take on models like the Lotus Evora and Nissan GT-R. One reason for the next 911 to be happy is that one of its greatest competitors, the Dodge Viper, will go out of production, and until we have the chance to see a new one, the 911 will once again gain its supremacy.
Videos
Is that a production ready rear end we see? It seems a couple of people were able to grab some video as they were following what looks to be a production ready 911/991 as it cruised down the street. All we can say is, we’ve seen better. Let’s hope for a quick redo before it makes its debut. Check out the video to see what we mean.
Video Credit: MatzWanger
Here’s the latest video that’s making its way around the Internet of a now barely disguised Porsche 911 doing some final rounds of testing leading up to its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show. For your enjoyment, fellas!
gallery: 2012 – 2013 Porsche 911/991
