Subsequent to the grand unveiling two months ago, the Porsche 911 Dakar has returned to the limelight, this time in a set of real-life images taken by our spy photographers in Europe.
Mind you, the Porsche 911 Dakar is a finished product, but it appears that it needs some last-minute adjustments, hence why the Zuffenhausen brand put one to the test recently in the cold. Or that’s what we think anyway.
Nonetheless, the reason behind unleashing it in the white stuff is not that important. What truly matters here is that it looks even better in real-life images than it does sitting under the spotlight at a car show, or in the official press pictures that accompanied the release late last fall.
Deemed by many enthusiasts as being the hottest 911 in decades, the new Porsche 911 Dakar has 2 inches (50 mm) more ground clearance than a stock AWD 911, and it can be further lifted by another 1.2 inches (30 mm) when engaging the off-road mode, available at speeds up to 105 mph (170 kph). A dedicated ‘Rally’ mode is also included. The car features black plastic cladding on the lower parts of the body that makes it look more utilitarian, and rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, wrapped in 245/45 and 295/40 Pirelli Scorpion all-terrain tires respectively.
It may be the hottest 911 in decades, but it is also one of the slowest, with a 150 mph (240 kph) electronically limited top speed. This was mandatory in order to preserve the meat on the tires. At least it is not slow to 60 mph (97 kph), with the sprint taking 3.2 seconds, according to Porsche. The 911 Dakar has four-wheel steering, dynamic engine mounts, and a curb weight of 3,552 pounds (1,611 kg). Power is supplied by the familiar twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, which pushes out 473 hp (480 ps/353 kW) and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque. The thrust is directed to the all-wheel drive system via an eight-speed PDK transmission.
Anyone who can afford spending a couple hundred thousand dollars on a ride and has a soft spot for the 911 Dakar should go ahead and reserve a build slot while they still can, because production of the model will be capped at only 2,500 units. Pricing kicks off at $220,020, excluding the $1,450 destination charge, dealer fees, and options, which makes it a bit more expensive than a brand-new 911 Turbo S in the United States. It is likely that the jacked-up variant of the 911 will return for the next generation, even if the automaker hasn’t said anything about it, and it might eventually become a regular in the family, hopefully with a more affordable price tag attached to it.
Regardless of body style or drivetrain, the Carrera GTS is considered by many 911 enthusiasts the sweet spot in the range. Slotting right above the Carrera, this variant comes with rear- or all-wheel drive as a coupe, convertible, or targa. The one featured in the clip below is the rear-driven coupe, which retails at 146,336 euros (circa 158,480 dollars) in Germany.
The GT3 pictured next to it is a motorsport-infused thriller with a naturally-aspirated sixer instead of a twin-turbocharged engine. Lighter, more powerful, but less torquey than the Carrera GTS, the track-oriented variant currently retails at €179,299 ($194,240 at current exchange rates).
Our friends at KaRace raced these siblings to see which one is faster in a straight line. Although many would expect the 992-gen GT3 to annihilate the Carrera GTS in the quarter mile and from a roll, that’s not the case. With launch control turned on, the lesser model crossed the finish line in 11.9 seconds at 198.79 kilometers per hour (123.52 miles per hour) versus 12.06 seconds at 193.12 kilometers per hour (nearly 120 miles per hour).
With launch control out of the equation, the GT3 improves on its quarter-mile speed. It recorded 195.43 kilometers per hour (121.43 miles per hour) according to the GPS performance meter, which also indicated 12.12 seconds. Once again, the Carrera GTS proved faster with 12 seconds on the nose to its name. Over the finish line, it was clocked at 196.24 kilometers per hour (121.93 miles per hour). Not shabby at all, isn’t it?
For the final test, KaRace rolled these babies from 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour) to find out which accelerates quicker from 100 to 200 kilometers per hour (62 to 124 miles per hour). Once more with a feeling, the force-fed Neunelfer punched above its weight, proving that it’s a force to be reckoned with despite its daily-driver qualities. As opposed to 8.10 seconds for the Carrera GTS, the sportier GT3 recorded 8.27 seconds.
At the end of the day, the GT3 does not deserve any kind of criticism because it wasn’t designed to slay at the strip. The same can be said about the Carrera GTS. To put it bluntly, the Carrera GTS excels on the road and the GT3 is a corner-carving machine. Both are certain to put a smile on your face, and both are highly desirable for excelling in their own way.
Tipping the scales at 1,493 kilograms (3,292 pounds), the GT3 in the video below is a PDK-equipped model. It packs 510 ps (503 horsepower) and 470 Nm (347 pound-feet) from a 4.0-liter boxer. The 3.0-liter turbo in the Carrera GTS is rated at 480 ps (473 horsepower) and 570 Nm (420 pound-feet). Connected to an eight-speed PDK as opposed to seven ratios for the GT3, the Carrera GTS weighs 1,595 kilograms (3,516 pounds).
Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few years (which is honestly fairly understandable at this point), you’ve likely noticed a tremendous move towards electric vehicles, hybrids, and other alternative energy sources in the automotive industry. This has been such a tremendous initiative across the board that some manufacturers have even committed to ditching the internal combustion engine entirely. One of these manufacturers is none other than Mercedes-Benz, who have committed to an entirely electric lineup of vehicles by the turn of the next decade.
It’s accurate to say that their counterparts from Stuttgart have a differing view, perhaps, of the future of the sports car. While their fully-electric Taycan has been well-received from day one, Porsche has shown absolutely no desire to abandon their beloved flat six any time soon. Seeing that the 911 is a hallowed marque with generations of rabid enthusiasts, but also looking to the future and understanding that some degree of electrification is inevitable, Porsche has been very measured and methodical when it comes to integrating hybrid technology into the 911.
It seems like this project is slowly coming to fruition, as new spy shots featuring the hybridized 911 Turbo S have now been uncovered. Here’s what we know so far about this hybrid Porsche.
Devil’s the Details
First things first – the hybrid certainly won’t appear until the current 992 generation gets a facelift in around a year or so. From the photos, it appears as though the hybrid 911 won’t appear all that different than its petrol sibling from the front. However, the rear clip clearly shows unique, squared-off dual exhausts, and a slightly-tweaked setup for the taillights. These may find their way into all 992.2 911s, or they may be exclusive to the hybrid models to subtly differentiate them from the internal-combustion models.
A Mild Hybrid
It also appears that Porsche will fit the hybridized 911 with a mild hybrid system running at 400 volts, instead of a heavy plug-in hybrid system running at 800 volts like its fully electric cousin, the Taycan. This will enable Porsche engineers to keep the legendary driving characteristics of the 911 largely intact, without having to completely re-engineer a new chassis for the sports car to accommodate four electric motors and a heavy complement of batteries.
With all that said, there will still be a large increase in the weight of the hybrid version which will require substantial tuning of the spring rates, dampening, and body roll, among other suspension components. A video of this hybrid test mule hurtling itself around the Nurburgring shows the ride to be a little unsettled and squirrely, so it stands to reason that Porsche is focusing on squaring away their power plant before moving on to any of the other components.
Overall, though, this mild hybrid system means that rabid, gasoline-huffing 911 fans of old should fear not the development of this new-fangled 911. It’ll look as it should, and, once the engineering staff in Stuttgart lays their wrenches down for the last time, it will drive like one should, too.
911 Hybrid – Coming Soon?
Porsche has continued to be very tight-lipped about the development of the hybrid 911s, and understandably so; their commitment to engineering over all else dictates when the hybrid will see the light of day, not arbitrary schedules based on what’s fashionable in the auto industry now. There are a few things we know for sure, though: the end result will be a Porsche 911 through and through, and that is the best news anyone could deliver.
The Sport Classic is the most expensive 992 currently in production. Why, though? Despite not being as powerful as the Turbo S, the Sport Classic features the Turbo-spec engine with a manual box and rear-wheel drive.
Priced at $272,300 sans destination charge and optional extras, the Sport Classic is limited to 1,250 examples worldwide. Paying tribute to 911s from the good ol’ days, the heritage model has been recently filmed having fun at the Nurburgring. The pictured car definitely has a classy look to it, for it combines black paintwork with white go-faster stripes.
Rather than Turbo-spec air intakes on the rear fenders, the Sport Classic features ducts underneath the ducktail spoiler, designed to channel fresh air to the 3.7-liter boxer. The 3,745-cc engine is a twin-turbo affair with 543 horsepower (550 ps) and 442 pound-feet (600 Nm) of torque on tap.
Not offered on Turbo models, the CFRP hood dips in the center. Said indentation perfectly complements the double-bubble roof, which is also made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic. Heritage graphics help the Sport Classic stand out in the crowd, together with Fuchs-style wheels.
Wrapped in 255/35 by 20-inch and 315/30 by 21-inch rubber boots, the wheels feature center locks. Turbo-inspired widebody rear fenders also need to be mentioned. Equipped with a seven-speed tranny rather than a sixer, the Sport Classic is equipped with an auto-blip function that makes hell-and-toeing obsolete. It further sweetens the deal with a model-specific exhaust that sounds a bit better than the 992-series 911 Turbo.
The lowered suspension is a combination between Turbo and Carrera GTS, boasting Porsche Active Suspension Management and slightly decreased front-axle spring rates compared to the range-topping Turbo S. Rear-axle steering, the Sport Chrono Package, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are standard as well.
The second of four Heritage Design models planned for the 992 generation, the Sport Classic is available in four colors: Black, Sport Gray Metallic, Agate Gray Metallic, and Gentian Blue. Hopping inside reveals the Pepita houndstooth motif on the door panels and seats, whereas the semi-aniline leather upholstery is finished in black and Classic Cognac.
Every single unit comes with a 911-stylized badge on the passenger side of the dashboard, right above the glove box, serialized with the car’s number. The central analog tachometer is a retro throwback as well, for it sports a white needle and scale markings alongside green numbers and accents. The same treatment is carried over to the Sport Chrono clock.
As if the aforementioned weren’t special enough, the Porsche Exclusive Manufacture logo is embossed in the center console lid, and the headrests are embossed with the German automaker’s crest. Sport Classic owners are also eligible to purchase a Sport Classic watch from Porsche Design, a fancy chronograph that can be matched to the vehicle’s specification.
During the company’s 2022 annual press conference, Porsche announced that the Porsche 911 Turbo S Hybrid will be available soon. They also stated at the conference that this hybrid is performance-based.
The 2024 911 hybrid is a high-end vehicle that ranks with the Ferrari 296 GTB and the McLaren Artura. Although it is a 2024 model, the prototypes have been made, and this sportscar has been severally tested. This Porsche 911 hybrid will be on sale beginning next year, 2024, after the sales of all trims of the standard pure-petrol 911 kick-off.
If you’re looking for what describes a usable sports car that is fun in every way, fast, and good for day-to-day driving, then the Porsche 911 is that car; the 2024 Turbo S Hybrid inclusive fits that description.
Features
A range of features come with this fancy sports car, one of which is the updated infotainment system. The suspension of this model is quite low, so it is likely to give a jiggly ride when moving over bumps, but thanks to the adjustable dampers in the Comfort setting, given that it is a sports car, it can overcome this flaw.
There will be an automatic gearbox and options like a rearview camera, park assists, and rear and front sensors. With the cruise control coning ss standard and an upgrade option of adaptive cruise control, braking, and acceleration should no longer be an issue as you can go as far as specifying the lane-keep and lane-change assists
A wet mode feature is a safety feature that would help ensure easy control of the model even when it rains. Other safety features include night vision, automatic emergency brakes, and multiple airbags.
The Exterior
With a body beautifully shaped like a modern sportscar and with air intakes incorporated with the bumper at the front, larger than the model from which it is made, the 2024 Turbo S Hybrid hits the road.
Unlike the existing Turbo S, the thin daytime running lights are absent in this model. Many argue that those lights will be substituted with the tacked-on side lights that appear in this model’s prototypes, but that will likely not happen. We must wait and see what Porsche has in store, to solve this argument.
The rear bumper of this model has been made different from the existing car; the number plate is now mounted higher up, and the twin exhausts are directly arranged closer together. This 2-door model offers an excellent back view that makes parking easier.
The Interior
There are no pictures yet of what the interior of the 2024 Turbo S Hybrid will look like, not even that of the prototype. However, we do not expect serious changes to the existing car. So here is what you should expect; A Sat Nav system sits in this model, the one that is as good as what you would find in executed saloon cars from the popular brands of Mercedes and BMW, and there is nothing short of three infotainment screens on the dashboard. These screens will be mostly used for all the car controls; however, you’d likely be getting nine physical buttons on the top of the dashboard.
The seats are gracefully covered in standard leather upholstery, and this leather can be extended to other parts of the interior if you like, but at an extra cost. And for the interior colors, there are a wide variety of options.
Space is not an issue with this model because there are loads of room for head, leg, and foot space, even if you were a giant. The trunk also has enough space to take a weekend’s baggage. The driver would benefit from this the most because even though there is a range of adjustments for all the seats, the steering wheel comes with adjustment controls too.
Performance and Engine
The 2024 Porsche 911 Turbo S Hybrid is designed with the same 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six cylinder engine built into the standard car. However, considering this new hybrid model, a 136hp electric motor with greater power is featured. This model produces power amounting to a total of between 700hp and 850hp. This model is built to be a fast and powerful one.
This new hybrid is heavier than the standard Porsche 911 Turbo S, but it is likely to match and beat the standard car’s record on speed. The standard vehicle has an impressive record of going from 0 to 60mph in just 2.8 seconds. A good note has been put in the customer review section as regards the standard model. For this, we expect the new model to have better reviews and to be better than alternatives that come from Ferrari, Mercedes, and even McLaren.
Pricing
Judging from all that has been said about the 2024 Porsche 911 Turbo S Hybrid, and from the current price of the existing standard car, you would agree with us that this model is going to be expensive, even though nothing has been released in regards to the pricing information from Porsche. Pricing is expected to kick off from £175 000, although this will vary from place to place. All Porsche cars come with a decent three-year/unlimited mileage warranty, and this hybrid is not left out.
Pros and Cons
Pros
It’s a bigger and better car compared to the standard
It is good for daily use
Its performance is great
Its cornering ability is quite impressive
Cons
It is quite expensive, and the option available adds to this
It may be tiring to use the steering when the speed is slow because the steering wheel is quite heavy
The back seats are not suited for adults to sit for a long drive
Conclusion
If you are big on sports cars but have not gotten one because the ideal sports car isn’t fit for daily driving in town, then you are lucky because the 2024 Porsche 911 Turbo S is just for you. It is quite expensive, but it is worth it from the exterior to the quality of the interior and to the fact that it is comfortable for children, especially the rear seat. There is also enough space for a trip’s baggage.
This model is much faster than the standard model it would replace, and on top of that, it is comfortable and useable. Porsche’s 911 mission statement remains that this model aims to be known on the market as the most rewarding driver’s car.
