It’s only been two months since Porsche debuted the base versions of the facelifted 991, and while we’re waiting for the rest of the range to come to the spotlight, our spies caught a test mule of the next 911.
This is an early development tester built around the body of the current 991-codenamed model, likely to evaluate the evolved chassis, as evidenced by the wheel arch extensions that make space for a wider rear axle, and possibly even the powertrain.
It also had a weird cup-like plastic positioned on top of the fuel cap, but we’re not exactly sure what purpose it serves here – if any.
The new model, which could carry the 992 internal designation, is still in the making, so there’s not a lot of information out yet, however, Porsche officials recently confirmed that it will be the first 911 to get a hybrid option.
Porsche is no stranger to hybrids, as it already offers a supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 mill that works together with an electric motor on the Cayenne SUV and Panamera sedan, while their sold-out, halo hypercar, the 918 Spyder, comes exclusively with a hybrid powertrain linking a 4.6L V8 to a pair of electric motors.
In the 992, the Stuttgart carmaker is expected to combine one or more electric motors to a flat-six, possibly in an all-wheel drive layout. The rest of the range should use evolved versions of Porsche’s new family of turbocharged flat-six engines introduced on the updated 991, producing 370PS (365hp) on the Carrera and 420PS (414hp) on the Carrera S models.
As of now, Porsche has denied rumors that it will move to develop a fully-electrified 911, but things can change quickly in the automotive industry.
If Porsche keeps its regular six- to seven-year product cycle, the new 911 should arrive in late 2017 or early 2018.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
Photo Gallery
