2019 Porsche 992 Details, News, Photos, And More
A new Porsche 911 is on its way. This story, originally published 9/6/18, will be continually updated as more information is learned. Porsche hasn't said much yet about the 992, having only released a few images of a camouflaged prototype and some comments from 911 chief engineer August Achleitner. A couple of magazines had a chance to ride along in prototypes, too. So, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect. At the LA Auto Show last November, Achleitner told us a bit about the next 911, including the fact that it'll ride on a "modified" version of the current 991 platform. This seems to fit a pattern. The 996, launched in 1997, rode on an all-new platform, one that was revised for its successor, the 997. The next generation, the 991, started from a clean sheet with an all-new platform. So it makes sense that the 992 would use a revamp of the existing platform, and that an all-new design might follow after the 992 has run its course.
Car and Driver reports the narrow bodywork used for the current rear-drive Carrera and Carrera S will go away. Instead, all 911 Carreras will get the wider fenders from Carrera 4 models, allowing for increased track widths front and rear. This should help with grip and turn-in. Otherwise, the 911's dimensions won't change much when it becomes the 992. The 96.5-inch wheelbase remains, while overall length increases by one inch thanks to a larger front overhang. Thanks to aluminum replacing steel for the rear fenders, weight should stay the same, too, in spite of new tech features available. Right now, the only 911s to come with staggered wheels are the GT2 RS and GT3 RS, which use 21-inch wheels at the back and 20s up front. For the 992, Carrera S models will use the same size wheels, while base Carreras get 19s up front and 20s out back. A rear-mounted flat-six has been the defining feature of the 911 since its launch in 1963, so why would things be any different for the new one?
Well, the current 911 RSR race car has its engine in front of the rear axle for better weight distribution, breaking with years of tradition. Despite this mid-engine 911 race car, Porsche has no intention of relocating the engine in the 911 street car. Dr. Frank Walliser, head of Porsche Motorsport, told us so in 2016, at the first public presentation of the RSR. Porsche has a pretty rigid view of what the 911 is and isn't. What it is, in the company's view, is a four-seat sports car with a flat-six out back. Porsche knows that those rear seats are a big part of the car's appeal, even if they're child-sized at best鈥攁nd that they'd be impossible in a mid-engine layout. As for the RSR? Porsche will tell you the changes to that car were forced by the nature of today's sports-car racing rules. In 2015, Porsche abandoned naturally aspirated engines in 911 Carrera models, replacing them with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo unit. Per Car and Driver, this engine will carry over for the 992, though it gets a new intercooler, higher-flow cast-iron exhaust headers, and piezo fuel injectors, which offer greater control.
Compression ratio will rise from 10.0:1 to 10.5:1, too. The base Carrera will use the same turbos as before, though they'll run slightly less boost. Thanks to the other engine upgrades, though, it'll still offer a jump in power鈥?70 to 385 hp. The Carrera S will get larger turbos from the Carrera GTS, which boosts horsepower from 420 to 450. Car and Driver speculates the eventual Carrera GTS will offer 480 hp. These 3.0-liter twin-turbos also get new engine mounts that should help increase stiffness at the rear of the car while cutting down on weight. Porsche will, of course, continue offering the capital-T Turbo, too. And if you see rumors about the next GT3 going turbo, take them with a large grain of salt. Porsche Motorsport鈥攚hich develops GT road cars alongside Porsche's race cars鈥攈as gone on the record saying it wants to continue using naturally aspirated motors for as long as possible.