Porsche has concluded development of its very first 911 hybrid model. Ever the perfectionists, the engineers in Stuttgart are now satisfied that 3.1 million miles of relentless testing in an array of demanding environments have left them with a car worthy of the badge, and its unveiling will be broadcast to the world on 28 May at 2 p.m. BST.
“We left nothing to chance during development and tested the new 911 under all sorts of conditions all over the world,” said Frank Moser, vice president of the 911 and 718 model lines. This included high drivetrain loads up steep mountain passes and the slog of stop-and-go traffic in urban environments, Moser added. “The new 911 has mastered even the most difficult challenges with aplomb. From the freezing cold to scorching heat, as was the case during the final stages of testing in Dubai.”
As previously reported by Hagerty, the new hybrid model is expected to complement the lineup of ICE-powered 911s, not replace them. Although there has been no mention of an all-electric variant, Porsche is committed to the technology across the rest of its lineup: The Taycan is EV-only, while an electric Macan is newly available alongside the ICE model. Plans are afoot for electrified versions of the 718 by mid-decade and an EV Cayenne will follow that, with another electric SUV positioned above the Cayenne to debut not long after.
For now, at least, the hybrid powertrain represents the biggest leap in the 911’s powertrain in the car’s illustrious 61-year history. “This innovative performance hybrid makes the 911 even more dynamic,” Moser said.
So dynamic, in fact, that in the hands of former racing driver and current Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, the hybrid lapped the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 16.934 seconds – 8.7 seconds faster than its ICE predecessor. “We have more grip, significantly more power, and the spontaneous response of the performance hybrid is a great advantage,” Bergmeister said.
No details have yet been released with respect to the hybrid powertrain’s specifics, though certainly much R&D has trickled down from the company’s on-track efforts with the 963 endurance racer it has campaigned at Le Mans and elsewhere. We fully expect all that will be covered at the big reveal later this month, which you can watch live at newsroom.porsche.com, and on Porsche’s YouTube channel.
