48 years young, next generation of iconic sports car to debut in Frankfurt

On the racetrack or on the road, for the last 48 years, the evergreen 911 has been the heart of Porsche, accumulating the majority of its 28,000 race wins and remaining the most visible and most recognizable icon of the Porsche brand.

The latest-generation, all-new 911 further extends the span between the apparently contradictory attributes – performance and efficiency, sportiness and everyday practicality – that have always been at the core of its appeal.

A lower, leaner silhouette and sharper contours hint at substantial changes underneath the skin. Indeed, the new 911 Carrera models represent the largest evolutionary step in the car’s 48-year history. Significantly lighter, cleaner and more efficient than any 911 that has gone before, it is also faster, more powerful and better-handling than ever before.

As it has for generations, the new 911 raises the bar for efficiency as well as performance; on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), all versions consume less than 10 L/100 km and exhaust emissions have both been reduced by up to 16%.

These savings are achieved thanks to innovative technology such as automatic start/stop, thermal management, electrical system recuperation, the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission and – in conjunction with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) – a unique “sailing” function that allows coasting with the engine disengaged, to further reduce drivetrain friction. These measures combine with a body that is lighter and more rigid, thanks to intelligent aluminum-steel composite construction. All told, the new 911 is up to 45 kg lighter, despite additional standard equipment and an even higher level of safety.

Efficiency gains do not come at the expense of power. In fact, the new 911 Carrera, with a downsized 3.4-litre boxer engine, now produces 350 hp (up 5 hp from its predecessor) while consuming 16% less fuel. The Carrera S, with a revised 3.8-litre boxer engine, now produces 400 hp (up 15) with fuel consumption reduced by 14%.

This technical revolution comes wrapped in a classic 911 teardrop shape. But the contours are sharper and the proportions have changed – longer and lower, with a wider front track and a lower roof profile, the 911 has a more exotic look than ever. Inside, the architecture is equally evolved, featuring references to the Carrera GT supercar. A high-set centre console, rising toward the dashboard with its standard touch-screen navigation system, gives the driver a greater sense of involvement thanks to a gear selector set close to the steering wheel.

Your Porsche Centre is taking orders for the new 911 now, with the first customer deliveries scheduled for early February. But if you wish first-hand experience before then, the next-generation 911 will be the star of Camp4 Canada winter driving event, starting January 31. Visit porsche.ca/camp4 to register.