Recently, Auto Express reported on a 992 911 hybrid prototype being spotted at Germany’s top test track and Dacia Logan playground, the Nürburgring. What gave it away? A yellow sticker on the rear window, indicating this was a hybrid test vehicle, according to the article.
Elsewhere, Auto Express‘ shots didn’t reveal anything in the back behind the driver on account of blacked-out windows, which is presumably due to hush-hush hybrid equipment sitting back there. The new, upcoming hybrid doesn’t have a set launch date, but we do know that it’ll be based on the 992 Turbo model with its wider footprint and bodywork, presumably due to having more room for electrical activities.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard flirtations by the Baden-Württemberg brand about hybridization, either. Scuttlebutt’s been floating around quite a bit in the past couple of years. As Autoblog reported back in Spring 2018, Porsche was hinting that the hybrid assistance could occur not terribly long after the 992’s debut. Well, we’re a couple years into this generation at the moment. They’ve certainly had everything they’ve needed engineering-wise for a while, too; just look at the 918 Spyder, or even their campaigning of the 919.
Another thought: does this mean mild-hybridization will add even more power to the 992 Turbo, a car known among journalists and enthusiasts as, pardon the technical talk, shit-fuck-crazy fast? Just think of it: instant electric power added to an already-wild 640 horsepower juggernaut, with all-wheel drive, and one of the fastest-shifting gearboxes money can buy.
Though, according to the article, it’s still undecided if Porsche will sway more towards range extension, or utilizing it to add more performance.
But c’mon — my money’s on performance.
This has sort of turned into a trope about mild hybridization in high-speed hardware. Yeah, it’s good for the environment, but more importantly, it adds a ton of immediate torque. People often ask “when is fast, too fast?” when discussing the latest and greatest by Porsche, Ferrari, McLaren, Lamborghini, etc. There has always been a horsepower and speed war between these brands. And it seems like most recently, a torque sub-war has been the most apparent. Trickle-down to lower models also seems to be a competition, too; who can get their hybrid-assisted monster tech down the chain fastest.
Range extension? On a 911 Turbo platform? Get outta here.
We haven’t peaked just yet in immediate power and sub-three-second 0-60 times. Hopefully, it means more trickle-down to even lower models, like a turbocharged 718. And man, I’m here for it.
