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911 Carrera GTS: First Porsche with hybrid powertrain

2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. [All images courtesy Porsche Cars North America, Inc.]

 

 

Porsche's new 911 lineup for 2025 includes the Carrera GTS, which is the first production model from the brand ever to come with a hybrid powertrain. The racing-inspired T-Hybrid sports a newly developed 3.6-L six-cylinder boxer engine, electrically driven turbocharger, and in-transmission electric motor to outperform its model predecessor -- in particular when starting from a standstill.

The newly developed engine accelerates the 911 Carrera GTS Coupe from 0 to 60 mph in 2.9 sec -- 0.3 seconds quicker than before -- to a top track speed of 194 mph.

"We developed and tested various ideas and approaches to decide on a hybrid system that optimally suits the 911," said Frank Moser, Porsche's vice-president of the 911 and 718 model lines. "The result is a unique powertrain that is well integrated into the overall concept and enhances the performance significantly."

Porsche says a new, strengthened eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK) with an integrated, permanently excited synchronous motor is part of the powertrain on the 911 Carrera GTS. It supplements the power of the boxer engine at idle with up to 110 lb-ft of torque and develops up to 40 kW.

The rear-engine 911 GTS uses a newly developed, electrically driven turbocharger. An integrated electric motor, placed between the compressor wheel and the turbine wheel, speeds up the turbocharger quickly to develop boost. This electric motor in the turbocharger also functions as a generator and can develop up to 11 kW using the exhaust gas stream. The electric turbocharger is not equipped with a wastegate and allows for the use of a single turbocharger compared to the two that were used previously while simultaneously improving throttle response and performance.

Both the electrically driven turbocharger as well as the electric motor housed in the transmission are paired with a light and compact high-voltage battery. Its size and weight are comparable to a conventional 12-V AGM starter battery, but it can retain up to 1.9 kWh of energy (gross) and operates at 400 V. It is located under the front hood where the previous 12-V battery was located. To optimize weight distribution, the 12-V battery is a lightweight lithium-ion battery located behind the parcel shelf in the rear.

The heart of the T-Hybrid powertrain is the newly developed 3.6-L boxer engine. Thanks to the high-voltage system, the compressor for the air conditioning system can be powered electrically, so there is no need for a belt drive, making the engine more compact. This provides for the room above the flat engine to house the pulse inverter and DC-DC converter. A bore increase to 97 mm and a stroke enlarged to 81 mm raise the displacement compared to previous 911 Carrera GTS models by 0.6 L. The new engine features the camshaft adjustment system (VarioCam) and a valve control using roller rocker arms. It can retain the ideal combination of fuel and air (Lambda = 1) over the full range of engine speed.

By itself, the new boxer engine develops 357 kW (478 hp) and 420 lb-ft of torque. The total system power is 398 kW (532 hp) and 449 lb-ft. The power increase compared to the previous 911 Carrera GTS models is 45 kW (59 hp). When accelerating, the new 911 Carrera GTS outperforms its predecessor -- particularly from a standstill. The efficient hybrid achieves a heightened level of performance without the weight increase typically associated with conventional hybrid systems. The U.S. curb weight increase of the new 911 Carrera GTS Coupe compared to the predecessor is a moderate 103 lb.

The suspension of the 911 Carrera GTS has been extensively updated. For the first time, rear axle steering is included as standard equipment. It optimizes the stability of the vehicle at higher speeds while simultaneously reducing the turning circle. The optional roll-stabilization system (Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control) is integrated into the high-voltage system of the performance hybrid. This allows for the use of an electro-hydraulic control system, making the system even more flexible and precise. A standard sport suspension with adaptive dampers and a ride height reduction of 10 mm compared to the standard 911 Carrera offer a driving experience characteristic of GTS models.

Porsche has enhanced the exterior design of the new 911. A large part of these updates focuses on optimizing the aerodynamics and the performance of the sports car, including the new, model-specific front fascia. Furthermore, Porsche has integrated all of the light functions into the standard LED Matrix design headlights of the 911 with its characteristic four-point design. This allows for larger air intakes in the front fascia as the lights previously mounted in this area are now integrated into the headlights.

On the 911 Carrera GTS models, the front fascia incorporates five visible, vertically aligned active air flaps as well as an extra flap that closes off the bypass on each side and is not visible from the exterior. They are complemented by adaptive front diffusors in the underbody, which are being used for the first time and work together with the cooling air flaps.

The newly designed rear light band with PORSCHE lettering enhances the impression of width and low stance of the car. A new rear decklid grille with five strakes per side forms a visible unit with the rear window and flows seamlessly into the automatically extending, variable rear spoiler. The rear license plate is mounted higher than before, and the rear fascia is simplified. Model-specific exhaust systems integrate elegantly into the pronounced diffusor fins. A sport exhaust system is optionally available for the 911 Carrera models, while the 911 Carrera GTS models are equipped with a GTS-specific sport exhaust system as standard.

An optional Aerokit is available to further increase performance of the 911 Coupe models. It includes a SportDesign front fascia with a unique front spoiler lip, special side skirts, and a weight-optimized, fixed rear wing, all of which reduce lift.

A total of seven different wheel designs in 19-/20- or 20-/21-in. combinations are available for the new 911 Carrera models.

As standard, Porsche delivers the new 911 coupe models as a pure two-seater with no rear seats. Optionally, a 2+2 seat configuration is available for no additional cost. Inside, the traditional 911 design DNA is paired with modern technology. Important functions are placed directly on or next to the steering wheel. This includes the standard drive mode switch, the updated control stalk to operate assistance systems, and, for the first time in a 911, a start button, which is placed to the left of the steering wheel.

Also for the first time, the 911 features a fully digital instrument cluster. The 12.6-in. curved display integrates elegantly into the new operating and display concept and can be extensively customized depending on the driver's preference. It offers up to seven different display views, including an exclusive classic display based on the historic five-tube design with a centrally positioned tachometer that has been a hallmark of the 911 from the start.

What if you don't want the 911 as a hybrid? The new 911 Carrera continues to be powered by a 3.0-L twin-turbo boxer engine, and it has been significantly updated. It is now equipped with the intercooler used in the 911 Turbo models, which is placed above the engine directly beneath the rear decklid grille. The turbochargers of the new 911 Carrera were adopted from the previous 911 Carrera GTS models. With these modifications, the new 911 Carrera now makes 290 kW (388 hp) -- which is 9 hp up on the model it replaces -- and up to 331 lb-ft of torque. The 911 Carrera Coupe can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 sec (3.7 sec with optional Sport Chrono Package) and reach a top track speed of 183 mph. Compared to the previous model, this represents an improvement of 0.1 sec and 1 mph, respectively.

Porsche 911 Carrera.

 

 

The new 2025 911 Carrera is available to order now as a Coupe or Cabriolet with rear-wheel drive. Additionally, the 2025 911 Carrera GTS is also available as a rear and all-wheel drive model (911 Carrera GTS and 911 Carrera 4 GTS) in Coupe or Cabriolet form, and as a Targa variant (exclusively available with all-wheel drive).

First deliveries should start in the fall. Pricing for the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is $164,900, and the GTS Cabriolet is $178,200. The 911 Carrera 4 GTS is $172,700, and the Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet is $186,000. The 911 Targa 4 GTS is $186,000.

The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera starts at $120,100, and the Carrera Cabriolet is $133,400.

Other models available include the Porsche 911 Turbo and its Cabriolet variant, 911 Turbo S/Cabriolet, and the new 911 GT3 RS.

Learn more at porsche.com/usa/models/911/.

Source: Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

Published June 2024

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