Base Porsche 992 Carrera Will Probably Pack 390HP, Carrera S Moves Closer To 450HP

Porsche will reveal the all-new, eighth-generation 911 in less than six months and more details emerge about the iconic German sports car.

Set to make its public premiere at the Los Angeles motor show this November, the new Porsche 992 will set new standards in pretty much every aspect, especially in terms of performance and technology.

Perhaps the most significant change over the outgoing 991 generation is the adoption of a brand new scalable architecture, which is said that it will be shared with the next-gen Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan. Autocar reports that the new platform is made out of a range of interchangeable modules, allowing the three VW Group sports cars to use it and despite their obvious differences in the engine mounting department.

The new structure will use more aluminum than ever, along with hot-formed high-strength steel in varying thicknesses within the floor, making it stronger and stiffer than that of the outgoing Porsche 911. In addition, the engine will be positioned inboard, offering the best weight distribution in 911’s long history.

Porsche will start selling the base Carrera and Carrera S models initially, which will continue using the turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six unit of the current model. The engine will adopt a number of changes for better performance and reduced emissions, including a new particulate filter and revised turbo geometry.

Base Carrera models are reportedly going to gain up to 20hp, for a total of 390hp, while the Carrera S will likely make up to 450hp, a 30hp increase over today’s 911. Both versions will be rear-driven as standard, and offered with either the existing seven-speed manual or the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

There’s a general feeling that the upcoming Porsche 992 will become the first 911 to be offered without a single naturally aspirated engine in the range. Porsche remains silent on whether the GT3 version of the 992 will switch to a turbocharged powerplant, but Porsche Motorsport insiders say that they are already working on an evolution of the next 911 Turbo’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine for motorsport activities.

Speaking about the Porsche 992 Turbo, the same report says that it will offer as much as 600hp in the range-topping Turbo S version. The new 911 Turbo will also benefit from an updated four-wheel drive system.

Of course, the most drastic change in 911’s history will be the upcoming plug-in hybrid version. However, don’t expect it to show up until closer to the mid-life facelift of the series. It is said that the PHEV powertrain will combine the turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine with an electric motor and a 11kWh battery pack for a combined 500hp.