The next Porsche 911 is ready to go hybrid

By topgear, 11 October 2018
Porsche 992

Porsche has confirmed that it’s new, ‘992’ generation 911 has been built with the potential for hybrid drivetrains in the future.

Ahead of the car’s launch at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, Porsche 911 boss August Achleitner said: “It’s prepared for hybrid power in the future, but not the next few years, we are waiting for the batteries to improve.”

Indeed, the new 911 ditches the old seven-speed PDK gearbox in favour of a new eight-speed transmission from the Panamera – specifically because this new ‘box has space for an electric motor.

There’s also additional space in the new 911 to accommodate batteries, while Porsche has utilised more aluminium in the body itself, helping offset the heavier gearbox and new engine emissions equipment. Despite this, Porsche still reckons on the new 992 being roughly the same weight as the outgoing 991 generation car.

Porsche powertrain director Matthias Hofstetter adds: “We can’t change the wind, but we can set our sails in the right direction.”