Here it is in all its glory - the first ever performance hybrid Porsche 911.
For now, it’s the GTS models that have been treated to the new self-charging ‘T-Hybrid’ powertrain. That goes for the Carrera GTS Coupe and Cabriolet, the 911 Carrera 4 GTS Coupe and Cabriolet, and the Targa 4 GTS.
With overall power of 541 PS and 610 Nm of torque, the hybrid 911 GTS Coupe is capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 3.0 seconds (with Porsche’s ‘Sport Chrono’ package) and then on to a top speed of 194 mph - which is pretty jaw-dropping in anyone’s book.
That’s also up significantly on the outgoing 911 GTS’s power of 480 PS.
So, what does the ‘T-Hybrid’ system actually comprise, and why hasn’t Porsche gone down the plug-in hybrid route?
At the heart of the T-Hybrid powertrain is a classic Porsche 3.6-litre boxer engine which, on its own, produces power of 485 PS.
That petrol unit is then supported by two electric motors and a 1.9 kWh, 400 V battery.
You’ll find one electric motor placed between the compressor and turbocharger turbine wheel and which helps to build up boost pressure in order to ‘instantaneously bring the turbocharger up to speed’, says Porsche. No lag when you bury your right foot to the floor here, then, and it adds an extra 15 PS of power.
The other electric motor lives in the eight-speed PDK gearbox and ‘supports the boxer engine with extra drive torque of up to 150 Nm and provides a power boost of up to 40 kW’, adds our Porsche spokesperson.
So, why not a 911 PHEV, as you can get with the Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Cayenne? It’s all about saving weight.
Porsche adds: “The efficient performance hybrid achieves highly dynamic driving characteristics while at the same time reducing CO₂ emissions with significantly less extra weight compared to plug-in hybrid vehicles. The weight increase over its predecessor is a mere 50 kilograms.”
The suspension and active aerodynamics of the 911 Carrera GTS have also been honed and refined. Rear-axle steering comes as standard for the first time, while electric wizardry has been added to the Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) anti-roll stabilisation system to make the handling more precise.
Looks-wise, the 911 hybrid is marked out from the rest of the range with five vertically-arranged active cooling air flaps at the front, while you’ll find adaptive front diffusers in the underbody.
Our Porsche spokesperson adds: “When power demand is high – for example in on-track situations – the flaps direct large amounts of air to the car’s radiators. The sensors for the assistance systems are now located behind a high-gloss surface below the number plate.”
Besides the hybrid 911 GTS models, the regular 911 Carrera has also been treated to a facelift in terms of power and style. Two seats come as standard, or you can opt for a 2+2 set-up at no extra cost.
The exterior has been ‘streamlined’ to improve aero, there’s a deeper and wider rear end, and Matrix LED headlights now come as standard.
The non-hybrid 911 Carrera still features a 3.0-litre boxer engine with twin turbocharging. It’s more powerful than before, at 394 PS, and also quicker off the mark, reaching 62 mph from a standstill in 4.1 seconds (or 3.9 seconds with the Sport Chrono package).
In the cabin you’ll find a fully digital, fully customisable instrument cluster for the first time, which is incorporated into a 12.6-inch curved display.
The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system is still operated via the high-resolution central display with a 10.9-inch screen.
The hybrid Porsche 911 is available to order now, with prices to buy outright beginning at £132,600 for the 911 Carrera GTS coupe.
If you dream of getting behind the wheel of a Porsche 911, contact the experts in our Select Car Leasing Specialist division who can talk you through your finance options.
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