New Porsche 991.2 revealed: a brave new world
A revised, more aggressive front bumper; new, integrated door handles; 3D brake lights inspired by the Macan. Aesthetically speaking, the Porsche 991.2 is hardly revolutionary.
However, despite being officially recognised only as a facelifted 991, the 2016 model-year Porsche 911 Carrera undoubtedly represents the biggest single change to Zuffenhausen’s iconic sports car since the infamous switch to water cooling in 1998.
Like the 996 generation that will pre-date it by just under 18 years come its release in December, the 991.2 Carrera’s most significant update comes under the decklid grill. But while Pinky Lai’s creation altered the way the 911’s cylinders were cooled, the new 2016 neunelfer’s engine design changes the way air enters the cylinders.
Yes, that’s right. For the first time ever, the entry-level Porsche 911 will feature a turbocharged flat six. In Carrera trim, the 3.0-litre powerplant will turn out 370hp, while the Carrera S – thanks to modified turbo compressors (that boost to 1.1 bar rather than 0.9 bar), a revised exhaust system and tuned engine management – produces 420hp.
What is perhaps more remarkable though is the increase in torque. A 60Nm increase for both models compared to the 991.1 may not sound particularly impressive, but while the outgoing Carrera reached peak torque at 5,600rpm, the 991.2 gets there at just 1,700rpm before sustaining it all the way to 5,000rpm.
To deal with the extra torque on offer, both the sevenspeed manual and PDK gearboxes have seen their ratios lengthened from third gear upwards, with the former also gaining beefed-up internals to cope with the additional forces.
Don’t worry though. This isn’t going to be some low-revving, forced-induction donkey. The turbocharged Carrera and Carrera S will spin all the way round to 7,500rpm. That’s a full half-grand more than the current 991 Turbo.
Coupled with two very small turbochargers (fixed vane items rather than the VTG items seen in the de facto Turbo), it’s clear that despite the move away from natural aspiration, Zuffenhausen has tried to retain the classic free-spinning nature that the 911 is famous for.
To read our 12-page dossier on the new Porsche 911 Carrera in full, pick up Total 911 issue 132 in store today. Alternatively, order your copy online for home delivery or download it straight to your digital device now.
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