Is nothing sacred? Zuffenhausen is preparing a facelift for the Porsche 911 family which will see the 991.2 generation launch in autumn 2015 with the majority of engines turbocharged.
Yes, the days of a naturally aspirated flat six are numbered, even for the venerable 911 range, the new issue of CAR magazine reveals.
The November 2014 issue, which went on sale this week, is led by a special preview of the important new cars arriving next year. In a special scoop dossier, European editor Georg Kacher discloses how the most basic 911s, the Carrera and Carrera S, will switch to forced induction.
Click here for our latest review of the nat-asp Porsche 911 Carrera S.
What to expect on 2015’s Porsche 991.2
Keen to reduce CO2 and increase mpg, Porsche is downsizing the Carrera’s flat six by half a litre – from 3.4 to 2.9 in capacity. Our information suggests it’ll develop around 400bhp and 400lb ft, a significant increase on today’s boggo 911.
The 2015 Carrera S won’t shrink in the hot wash, but its 3.8 boxer six will also be breathed on by a turbocharger, swelling power and torque substantially. Our sources suggest a punchy 530bhp and 520lb ft, meaning that even lower-peg 911s are getting seriously muscular.
Errr, so what does this mean for the 911 Turbo?
The mind boggles what this means for the more hardcore GT3 and GT2 models, let alone the Turbo – traditionally the only blown 911.
Our sources indicate the GT3 will remain naturally aspirated, with a greater focus on light weight; there’s hope yet for old-school 911 fans.
See more of 2015’s hottest new cars in the new November 2014 issue of CAR magazine. Click here for a free preview of the latest issue.