Ferdinand Porsche had already planned in 1900 what is considered the world's first hybrid car, the Lohner-Porsche, whose racing version reached a respectable speed of 60 km/h. 124 years later, hybrid propulsion is gaining popularity worldwide, and now it comes to the most famous car bearing the name of the Austrian automotive engineer: the legendary 911.
The first hybrid version is the prominent innovation in the facelift undergone by the eighth generation of the 911, which began its life in 1963. Today, Porsche already has two entirely electric models, the Taycan and the Macan EV, the new plug-in hybrid model, the Cayenne, and now also a hybrid sports car.
It will not yet be standard in the 911, but only in the GTS, the mid-range version with a boxer gasoline engine that has grown to 3.6 liters, providing a combined output of 541 horsepower and a maximum torque of 62.2 kgm - not exactly like the neighbor's Corolla hybrid. With the hybrid unit being different: there are two electric motors, the main one with an output of 54 horsepower, charging a 1.9 kWh battery, and a smaller engine with an output of 15 horsepower, integrated in the turbocharger, supposed to reduce turbo lag in accelerations and also charge the hybrid system battery, which only adds 50 kg for example. The dual-clutch gearbox with 8 gears underwent a slight update for the enhanced output.
Performance? 3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and a top speed of 312 km/h, both in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Fuel consumption stands at approximately 9.1-9.5 km per liter, depending on the version and tires, a modest improvement of 0.3 km per liter compared to the previous GTS model. An additional 61 horsepower results in a 0.4-second improvement in classic acceleration and an additional km/h to the maximum speed. Is this a true green propulsion system, or just lip service in the fight against global warming? It seems more than the second possibility. Porsche has already announced that the 718 Boxster will receive an electric successor, but the 911 will consume gasoline as long as it is legally possible, and then try to make the transition to synthetic fuel, not full electric propulsion.
The base 911 Carrera remains with a 3-liter engine strengthened to 394 horsepower, a dual-clutch gearbox with 8 gears, and 4.1 or 3.9 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h in the Chrono version, a symbolic improvement of a tenth of a second. Fuel consumption? 9.1-9.3 km per liter. Like the GTS, there are also options for rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, coupé and cabriolet. Turbo and powerful GT3 versions will also be launched.
Other changes? Externally, mainly in new bumpers and LED matrix headlights, with the GTS receiving a front bumper with variable aerodynamics: five flaps that open and close according to need: when power requirements are minimal, the flaps close to improve aerodynamic capabilities. When power demand increases, such as when driving on the racetrack, the flaps divert large amounts of air towards the radiators. At the back, the exhausts have been changed and the Porsche logo will now be illuminated.
Around the driver there is currently a 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.9-inch updated multimedia screen, renewed air vents, inverted rear controls standard, with adaptive dampers and stabilizing bar.
The price will start at NIS 1.065 million for the basic coupe version with rear-wheel drive and an addition of NIS 110,000 for the cabriolet version.
The hybrid GTS will cost NIS 1.395 million for the rear-wheel drive coupé, an addition of NIS 125,000 for the cabriolet, and NIS 70,000 for all-wheel drive.
Initial deliveries to customers in Israel are expected in October. Since the beginning of the year, the importer of Orchid Sports Cars International, the previous 911 model, has delivered 10 Porsche 911 models before the facelift. Up to this day, around 300 models of the 911 from all years and versions have been sold in Israel.