A sighting of what appears to be an electrified iteration of the upcoming 911 Carrera has been making rounds, as Porsche’s development continues.
Prototypes for an electrified variant of the upcoming 911 Turbo have been in testing for a few years, however, this marks the debut of prototypes for a similar version of the base Carrera. An unmistakable feature is the yellow sticker on the windshields, mandatory for conducting tests on electrified vehicles in Germany, where this prototype was captured.
Last year, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume officially confirmed the pending arrival of a hybrid version of the 911. Drawing inspiration from the former 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car, this hybrid model will distinctly differ from the plug-in hybrid setup of the 918 Spyder hypercar. Consequently, no plug will be present, with any electric motor-generator(s) playing a supportive role for the internal-combustion engine while recuperating energy during braking.
This commitment was echoed by well-respected Porsche engineer August Achleitner, whose involvement with Porsche concluded with the current 992-generation 911. In an interview with Motor Authority back in 2019, he mentioned, “We invested significantly during the LMP1 venture and gained valuable insights. I believe we are currently ahead of our competitors and we intend to capitalize on that.”
The debut of the refreshed 911 lineup, internally referred to as the 992.2 generation, is forthcoming. Expected to commence as 2025 models in the U.S., the electrified 911 could potentially be known as the Carrera S E-Hybrid, or Carrera 4S E-Hybrid if the electric propulsion aids the front wheels.
Rumors suggest that the refreshed Carrera might shift back to a naturally aspirated engine from the current turbocharged unit. Evidence supporting this claim includes the new air vents in the rear fascia of the prototypes, a hallmark of 911 test vehicles evaluating novel engine configurations.
Porsche is unwavering in its pursuit of electrification. The brand envisions 80% of its sales comprising electric vehicles by 2030, with hybrids accounting for the remaining 20%, predominantly sustained by the 911—Porsche’s emblematic model featuring an internal-combustion engine.
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