2019 Porsche 911: images of new '992' model leak

For the first time, every petrol engine in the 911 line-up will be turbocharged, marking the end of naturally aspirated units found in more hardcore variants of the current 991.2-generation model. 

The new 911 line-up will also include two new four-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid models, including a range-topping version with more than 600bhp and a top speed of nearly 200mph. 

Although the Jaguar F-Type rival will be launched with traditional combustion-engined Carrera and Carrera S models, the petrol-electric versions will be an integral part of the line-up. A senior Porsche official has told Autocar that Carrera 4 E-Hybrid and Turbo S E-Hybrid variants will be added to the model line-up in 2020.

The 911 model range will eventually grow to 24 variants. The technical layout of the new 911 models is currently shrouded in secrecy, although they are expected to receive a disc-shaped electric motor in two different power outputs housed within the gearbox.

Space up front will be used to house a lithium ion battery similar in capacity to the 14.1kWh unit used by the Cayenne E-Hybrid – a position that, Porsche sources suggest, provides almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

The Turbo S E-Hybrid is claimed to eclipse the 572bhp and 553lb ft of the current twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre six-cylinder 911 Turbo S. Insiders at Porsche’s Weissach-based R&D centre suggest it will offer more than 450kW (603bhp) of power. 

The hybrid 911s will feature the firm’s traditional flat-six engine with an electric motor, which, Porsche officials have previously admitted, was a packaging challenge. The decision to add hybrids to the range was in part driven by the need to meet the tightening EU CO2 regulations.

Despite the added weight of the lithium ion battery, the hybrid’s greater low-rev torque will allow for a sub-3.0sec 0-62mph time similar to the current Turbo S’s. That model is expected to be priced similarly to the £147,540 current Turbo S. 

The Carrera 4 E-Hybrid will be pitched at a similar price to the Carrera S, which costs £87,335. Both will be offered in coupé and cabriolet bodystyles.

The initial range-topper of the new 911 line-up will be the Turbo S, which will feature a 620bhp twin-turbo 3.8-litre flat six. It will use engine hardware from the GT2 RS to raise the output by 50bhp from the current Turbo S’s. 

Below that will sit a Turbo model tipped to produce about 570bhp, roughly 30bhp more than the current Turbo. Both the Turbo and Turbo S will feature wider rear arches and a fixed rear wing to signal their potent performance – and each will have a top speed in excess of 200mph and cover 0-62mph in less than 3.0sec. 

The 911 GT3 will deliver more than 500bhp, while standard models will get 10-15bhp more than the current Carrera and Carrera S. The new 911 will be built around an evolved version of Porsche’s MMB structure, which will be wider than the current generation. 

911 model director August Achleitner didn’t say exactly which autonomous features the car would have, but hinted that it would be more advanced than before, adding that the driver will always be the focus of the model. “A 911 will always have a steering wheel,” he said, adding that “the 911 will be one of the last cars to drive autonomously”.

Lane keep assist, the system that inputs small movements in the steering wheel to keep the car in the middle of the lane, is expected to make it into the new car - it’s currently not available on the 911. The driver will be able to switch off the assistance systems too, says Achleitner: “Those are convenient and useful things. But the customer has to make the choice to use them and, above all, be able to switch them off when they’re not desired.”

The car will not be a full-electric model, said Achleitner, although the approach of a full-EV 911 is ever closer: “Two years ago I’d have said no way. Today I wouldn’t categorically rule it out.”

Evolved chassis

The 992 911, which is the eighth generation of the sports car, will be built around an evolved MMB structure with a wider footprint than the current 991-gen range. The photographed test car above (spotted last year) wore wheel-arch extensions - evidence of a wider track that will give the 992 improved high-speed stability and better space for rear passengers. The car's length will remain unchanged.

Modular design will enable the structure's use for next-generation versions of the Boxster and Cayman, while it could also influence the design and engineering of future Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracán models. The updated structure will make more extensive use of high-strength steel and aluminium in order to cut weight.

Visible on the photographed cars is a full-width retractable rear wing. This will come as part of several active aerodynamic parts tasked with enhancing stability with downforce when additional grip is required. An active front spoiler is also a possibility, although this hasn't been seen on test cars so far.