Porsche 992 Facelift/992.2 – biturbo Carrera, monoturbo-hybrid GTS

The Porsche 992 facelift, or Porsche 992.2, was presented on 28 May 2024. The facelift of the eighth generation of the 911 marks a paradigm shift. With the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS, the Stuttgart-based company is offering a Porsche 911 with hybrid drive for the first time. While the 992.2 Carrera gets by with a slightly revised engine from its predecessor, Porsche is introducing a newly developed drivetrain with a single turbo and more displacement in the facelifted 911 Carrera GTS. In addition, the 911 is now a 2-seater as standard and is not available with all-wheel drive in the base version.

The Porsche 992.2 Carrera comes without hybrid and without all-wheel drive

After Porsche initially left it open in the launch announcement whether all facelift 992s would be hybrid or not, the cat is now out of the bag. The entry-level Porsche 992.2 Carrera model comes with a slightly modified version of the familiar 3.0-litre biturbo six-cylinder boxer engine, offering no electric assistance. 

In its base version the Porsche 992 facelift’s engine produces 394 hp. This corresponds to an increase of nine hp compared to its predecessor. This was made possible by detailed revisions such as the use of the intercooler from the Turbo models and the turbocharger from the pre-facelift GTS.

However, the Porsche 992.2 Carrera is only available with rear-wheel drive. It is still unclear whether an all-wheel drive Carrera will follow in the future. Porsche has also not announced a new-generation 911 Carrera S. 

What engine is in the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS?

Information on the new “T-Hybrid” drive in the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS was eagerly awaited. It consists of a 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine with an electric turbocharger and a synchronous machine in the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK). However, this system does not allow fully electric driving in battery mode, as in the Porsche 918 Spyder, for example.

Instead, an electric motor is used in the turbocharger to almost completely eliminate turbo lag. As a generator, it also draws up to 11 kW of electrical power from the exhaust gas flow. The second electric motor in the transmission provides the boxer engine with a supporting drive torque of up to 150 Nm and up to 40 kW of additional power from idling speed. 

We developed and tested a wide variety of ideas and approaches in order to make the decision in favour of a hybrid system that fits the 911 perfectly.

Frank Moser, Vice President Models 911 & 718

According to Porsche, the high-voltage battery (400 volts) with a capacity of 1.9 kWh is the same size and weight as a conventional 12-volt starter battery. The additional weight compared to the predecessor without electric assistance is 50 kilograms. 

Despite a 20 per cent displacement increase, the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS’ combustion engine itself didn’t gain much power

The combustion engine in the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS was given a displacement increase to 3.6 litres with a 97 mm bore and 81 mm piston stroke. Although the engine itself “only” produces 5 hp more than the biturbo in the 992.1 GTS, with electric assistance it delivers a whopping 541 hp and 610 Nm of torque. That’s a 61 hp and 40 Nm increase. 

The T-Hybrid in the Porsche 992.2 is not a classic hybrid. It serves to increase the performance and efficiency of the combustion engine.

Performance improves, especially during the start-up phase. The hybrid 911 accelerates to 100 kph in 3.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 312 kph. Its predecessor took 3.4 seconds and travelled at speeds of up to 311 kph. The Carrera GTS is also available with all-wheel drive as an option.

Porsche is not offering a manual gearbox for the market launch of the 992 facelift

Enthusiasts will have to swallow a bitter pill. This is because Porsche is launching the 992.2 exclusively with an eight-speed PDK. The Stuttgart-based company is dispensing with a manual gearbox for the launch. This news will certainly not only find supporters. Fans of the classic three-pedal layout may have to wait for the 992.2-based 911 GT3.

Visually, the Porsche 992 facelift changes little

Porsche has remained true to itself in terms of styling. The exterior of the Porsche 992 facelift model has only been changed very carefully. At the rear of the GTS, however, the more centrally positioned exhaust pipes are immediately noticeable. They are framed by very wide and raised diffuser fins. While the tailpipes of the S/GTS models were located next to the licence plate recess before the facelift, they are now positioned underneath. This sports exhaust system is available as an optional extra for the Carrera by the way. In addition, fewer vertical struts adorn the area below the rear window. 

The lights at the front bumper of the Porsche 992.2 have been omitted. This is due to the integration of all lighting functions into the standard Matrix LED headlights. Porsche utilises the space gained in the 992.2 Carrera GTS for a total of six active cooling air flaps. Porsche Active Aerodynamics (PAA) in the new 911 thus has adaptive front diffusers in the underbody panelling. When less power is required, the flaps are closed to minimise drag. If, on the other hand, more power is required, more air is channelled to the radiators. The base model has two transverse struts in front of the radiators instead.

From now on, the Porsche 911 is a two-seater as standard. The key on the left-hand side and the analogue rev counter have also become obsolete

There are further changes to the interior. The Porsche 911 is now a two-seater. Rear seats are only available on explicit customer request – but at no extra charge. Porsche has also finally abandoned the key on the left side of the steering wheel. Where a dummy key had to be turned to start the Porsche 992.1, there is now a simple start/stop button. 

The days of the analogue rev counter are also over. The Porsche 992.2’s dashboard consists of a continuous display with a 12.6-inch screen diagonal. However, the physical switches for operating the air conditioning system in front of the gear lever and the five buttons below the 10.9-inch Porsche Communication Management (PCM) Display remain. 

In terms of connectivity, the new 911 has improved. In future, logging into PCM with the Porsche ID will be done using a QR code. Apple CarPlay displays information directly on the dashboard on request. Operating certain vehicle functions directly from the iPhone is also possible, as is video streaming when parking. Spotify and Apple Music are even integrated as native apps in PCM.

No double wishbone front suspension for the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS, but rear axle steering as standard

Anyone secretly hoping for the fabulous double wishbone suspension of the 992 GT3 in the 992.2 Carrera GTS will be disappointed. However, Porsche now provides rear-axle steering as standard. In combination with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) including variable dampers and Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) roll stabilisation, Porsche promises even more precise handling. 

Prices start at 128,700 euros for the Porsche 992.2 Carrera and 170,600 euros for the Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS

The facelift Porsche 992 can now be ordered from the Porsche Center. The new 911 Carrera is available as a Coupé and Cabriolet with rear-wheel drive and PDK. Including VAT, the base price for the Porsche 992.2 Carrera Coupé is 128,700 euros. 

The Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS is available as a coupé and cabriolet with rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. It is also available as a Targa, but only with all-wheel drive. All GTS models are equipped with PDK as standard and are available from 170,600 euros. The optional Aerokit for the GTS costs 2,713.20 euros extra. 

Porsche has announced that deliveries of the Carrera will begin in Germany in late summer. The 911 Carrera GTS will be in dealerships by the end of the year. 

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