Porsche unveils first street-legal hybrid 911: Check price, features, performance

Porsche has made a leap into hybrid technology with the debut of its inaugural street-legal hybrid 911, showcased as the 911 Carrera GTS. This hybridisation marks a pivotal moment in the mid-cycle refresh of the seventh-generation 911, accompanied by exterior design enhancements, augmented equipment offerings, and a revamped interior.

Powertrain 

At the heart of the innovation lies the T-Hybrid petrol-electric system, a cutting-edge amalgamation comprising a freshly engineered turbocharged 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, a gearbox-mounted electric motor, and a compact liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. The resultant powerhouse propels the restyled rear-wheel-drive 911 Carrera GTS to unprecedented heights, boasting 541hp and a torque of up to 610Nm. These figures signify a notable uptick of 60hp and 40Nm compared to its predecessor, which utilised a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.

Features

Porsche touts remarkable performance enhancements, including a 0.4-second reduction in the 0-100kph sprint time, clocking in at 3.0 seconds. Moreover, the 911 Carrera GTS achieves a 0-160kph acceleration in 6.8 seconds (0.9 seconds quicker than before) and a 0-200kph dash in 10.5 seconds (1.1 seconds quicker), accompanied by a marginal increment in top speed, now reaching 312kph.

Despite a 50kg increase in curb weight for the hybridised GTS, totaling 1595kg, engineering finesse ensures balanced weight distribution, with the front-to-rear ratio tipping at approximately 37:63. Notably, the hybrid variant outperforms its predecessor by 8.7 seconds in official Nürburgring lap times, clocking in at 7 minutes and 16.93 seconds, on par with the 718 Cayman GT4 RS and trailing only four seconds behind the 918 Spyder.

The T-Hybrid system, denoting Turbo Hybrid, introduces groundbreaking features, including a new BorgWarner turbocharger equipped with an energy recuperation system harnessing hot exhaust gases. Borrowing from the technology employed in the 2.0-liter V4 petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain utilised by the 919 racer, this innovation can harvest up to 11kW of kinetic electricity.

The new flat-six engine independently generates 485hp, boasting a specific output of 135hp per liter, coupled with 570Nm of torque. Complementing this, the ZF disc-shaped electric motor, integrated within the front section of the standard 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox, delivers 54hp and 150Nm, amplifying the power output to peak levels at 6,500rpm, with torque extending across a broad and consistent range from 1,950rpm to 6,000rpm.

The integration of the 400V lithium-ion battery and pulse inverter within the front of the 911 necessitated a 6-liter reduction in the fuel tank size, now standing at 84 liters. Concurrently, the smaller 12V lithium-ion battery finds a new home beneath the rear seat.

While the Carrera GTS debuts in rear-wheel-drive configuration, Porsche hints at the adaptability of the T-Hybrid system for four-wheel-drive applications, indicating potential enhancements for future iterations of the 911 Turbo and Carrera 4.

Facelift and interior enhancements

Beyond powertrain innovations, Porsche has revamped the aerodynamic efficiency of the 911, integrating active front air ducts and refining the front and rear designs for enhanced cooling and aerodynamics. The interior receives subtle yet impactful updates, including an all-digital driver display and hybrid-specific touchscreen displays.

The 911 Carrera GTS promises a paradigm shift in performance, seamlessly blending Porsche's iconic legacy with hybrid technology, paving the way for a dynamic future in automotive engineering.