Porsche (POAHY) is making a big change to its most iconic model, and already, it is leaving its gas-guzzling predecessors in the dust.
Related: Former Audi designer exposes the benefits of working with a Chinese automaker
Porsche 911 Hybrid testing in Dubai
Porsche
The wizards from Stuttgart confirmed that the next iteration of the Porsche 911 will feature a hybrid powertrain for the first time in its storied 61-year history.
Porsche has not specified any specific details on the components of the new hybrid powertrain, however the change is a departure from the 911 Carrera's longstanding tradition of being fitted by a gas-powered flat-six cylinder engine.
In a statement, Porsche Product VP Frank Moser said that its engineers and test drivers have logged over 3 million miles over years of development trying to perfect the new car in whatever conditions one can throw at it; whether it be extreme temperatures in Dubai, the Arctic Circle, as well as the daily realities of stop-and-go city traffic.
“We left nothing to chance during development and tested the new 911 under all sorts of conditions all over the world," Porsche Product VP Frank Moser said. "Whether at a high drivetrain load in the demanding conditions of mountain passes or in the stop-and-go traffic of an urban environment, the new 911 has mastered even the most difficult challenges with aplomb."
Although documenting millions of miles during development seems impressive from an engineering standpoint, Porsche set out to prove to its biggest fans, enthusiasts and brand-loyal purists that the new hybrid 911 is no slowpoke.
During its phases of performance testing, the brand extensively tested the new hybrid 911 at the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife — the 14.6 mile former Formula 1 circuit. According to Porsche, the new 911 with its hybrid engine in the hands of racing driver Jörg Bergmeister went around the track's 154 corners in just 7:16.934; 8.7 seconds faster than the outgoing 911 Carrera.
Porsche 911 Hybrid at the Nürburgring
Porsche
Porsche claims that the test car used to set the lap record was fitted with road tires and an optional rear spoiler similar to ones made as an optional extra on prior 911 models, however Bergmeister maintains that the new car's hybrid tech offers advantage over past Porsches.
"I have driven this car extensively on the Nürburgring Nordschleife," Bergmeister said in a video released by Porsche. "Hybridization offers an extreme performance advantage, the response is similar to a naturally aspirated engine. You step on the gas pedal and it goes straight forward."
More Automotive:
- Maserati exec defends the use of a car feature drivers hate
- Feds are skeptical about the safety of popular driver-assist tech
- Young guys who like loud cars are likely to be psychopaths, study suggests
As someone responsible for the future of a beloved product like the Porsche 911, VP Moser said that the biggest challenge of developing the new hybrid-powered car was making sure enthusiasts feel like nothing drastic has changed.
"My primary goal with a new Porsche 911 is that the customer gets in and immediately finds himself in a 911," Moser said. "It's a prerequisite, Every new 911 must offer better performance."
Porsche's big update is a part of a bigger movement of luxury and sports cars adopting hybrid technologies in lieu of the big, powerful gas-guzzling engines that once powered sports cars capable of breathtaking performance.
Related: Bentley is replacing its biggest gas-guzzler with a powerful, new hybrid engine
Recently, Bentley introduced a 738 horsepower V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain that is set to replace its twin-turbo W12 engines, while Lamborghini and Mercedes released powerful plug-in models of their sports cars.
Porsche is set to unveil the latest iteration of its legendary 911 Carerra during a YouTube livestream on May 28 at 9 a.m. EST
At the time of this writing, Porsche under (POAHY) on OTC markets has been trading at $5.34 per share.
Related: Veteran fund manager picks favorite stocks for 2024
