A prototype for a refreshed member of the Porsche 911 lineup has been caught on camera during testing, hinting at a fresh variant joining the range rather than a mere refresh of an old one.
This week, Porsche unveiled the initial group of its revamped 911 series, marking the storied sports car’s embracing of hybrid tech, currently confined to the GTS models.
Scheduled to commence sales later in the year as 2025 models, the lineup will consist of the Carrera, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, and Targa 4 GTS models.
Additional models continue to undergo road tests and will be introduced throughout the next year. Among these is the rejuvenated Turbo S, another model anticipated to migrate to hybrid propulsion.
While the latest prototype might resemble previous versions seen during Turbo S updates, several hints suggest it’s a different variant altogether. The most apparent indicator is the lack of a permanent rear wing, complemented by covers on the fender intakes at the back.
We could be glimpsing a prospective Turbo S Touring variant akin to the 911 Sport Classic from 2023. Omitting the standard rear wing and lateral intakes, the Sport Classic was further distinguished by a ducktail spoiler and a distinctive indentation on the rooftop. While the Touring designation for the new variant is not confirmed, it is reminiscent of the GT3 Touring, also lacking the wing.
The Sport Classic was distinct in offering a 7-speed manual transmission and sending power only to the rear wheels, two options absent from the Turbo S. Speculation abounds that the spied Turbo S Touring model might feature rear-wheel drive as well.
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
Nonetheless, the probability of a manual gearbox is slim, as evidenced by yellow markers on the test mule indicating the incorporation of a hybrid drivetrain similar to that slated for the enhanced Turbo S. The hybrid system Porsche has developed for the 911 merges an electric motor with the existing 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission of the 992-generation 911. Here, the electric motor supplements the combustion engine and helps recapture energy during deceleration. The powertrain also includes an electric booster within the turbocharging setup to amplify low-end torque and minimize turbo delay. This booster can also harvest energy from exhaust flow.
The standing Turbo S produces a solid 640 horsepower from its bi-turbo 3.8-liter flat-6 engine, while the Sport Classic carried a more modest 572 horsepower, a concession for the reduced traction of a solely rear-wheel-driven setup. An upsurge in power is anticipated for the forthcoming hybrid variant.
Porsche has guaranteed that the 2025 models of the current Turbo and Turbo S will proceed without changes. Hence, it’s expected that their updated counterparts will likely make an appearance for the 2026 model year, suggesting a reveal sometime in the following year. This timeline would likewise accommodate the debut of this emerging Turbo S Touring variant.
Image Source: Brandon Woyshnis / Shutterstock
