Porsche has been spotted testing a prototype for a member of its updated 911 range, and it looks prefer it is likely to be for a brand new grade reasonably than an update of an existing one.
The automaker this week took the covers off the primary members of its updated 911 range, which marked the enduring sports automobile’s adoption of hybrid technology, for now limited to the GTS grades.
They begin sales later this yr as 2025 models, and include the Carrera, Carrera GTS, Carrera 4 GTS, and Targa 4 GTS grades.
Others are still out testing and shall be launched over the approaching yr. Considered one of them is the updated Turbo S, one other grade that is anticipated to adopt hybrid technology.
2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S Touring spy shots – Photo credit: Baldauf
The most recent prototype may appear like earlier test vehicles for the updated Turbo S, but there are clues that time to it being for a brand new grade. The missing fixed rear wing is probably the most obvious sign, but there’s also a set of covers for the intakes within the rear fenders.
It’s possible we’re a possible Turbo S Touring grade much like the limited-edition 911 Sport Classic offered for 2023. The Sport Classic also skipped the fixed rear wing and side intakes, though it also picked up a ducktail spoiler and a recess within the roof. The Touring name is not certain for this recent grade but comes from the GT3 Touring grade which relies on the GT3 but additionally skips the rear wing.
The Sport Classic also got here with a 7-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, two features that are not offered on the Turbo S. Rumors are circulating that the Turbo S Touring spied here can also have rear-wheel drive.
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic
A manual is unlikely because the yellow stickers on the prototype point to it packing the identical hybrid powertrain destined for the updated Turbo S. Porsche’s hybrid powertrain for the 911 integrates an electrical motor with the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission present in the 992-generation 911. The electrical motor is used to assist the engine and recuperate energy under braking. The powertrain also uses an electrical compressor within the turbocharging system, so as to add boost pressure at low rpm and reduce turbo lag. The electrical compressor also can recuperate energy from the exhaust.
The present Turbo S generates 640 hp from its twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-6 engine, though the Sport Classic version only had 572 hp as a consequence of lack of traction from only having power sent to the rear wheels. More power must be planned for the brand new hybrid powertrain.
Porsche has confirmed that the present Turbo and Turbo S carry over unchanged for 2025. This implies the updated versions will likely arrive for the 2026 model yr, which points to a debut happening sometime next yr. That is likely after we’ll also see this recent Turbo S Touring debut.
This Article First Appeared At www.motorauthority.com
