When Porsche made the move from air cooled to water cooled engines the purists would have you believe the sky was falling. The end was nigh. In truth, some of the best 911s ever made are water cooled and the sun is still coming up every day.
However, we could be facing renewed predictions of dark days by doom merchants if Car magazine’s prediction for the 991.2 is correct. Apparently the 991 will boast an all-turbo* engine range when the facelifted range is launched in quarter two of 2015.
Truth be told, we can probably count ourselves as merchants of doom as far as this story goes. While understanding the need to push for the greater efficiencies a turbo powerplant will bring, basking in the glory of a howling normally aspirated 911 is one of life’s greatest joys.
The entry level Carrera is expected to have its capacity reduced from 3.4 litres to 2.9 litres. The addition of a turbo, though, is expected to produce key numbers of 300kW/540Nm, up from 257kW/390Nm. The Carrera S will keep its 3.8 litre capacity and get boosted up to 395kW/705Nm, a very healthy increase from 294kW/440Nm.
Which makes you wonder what on earth the next 911 Turbo and GT2 will do to separate themselves from their new turbocharged underlings!
*The magic asterisk suggests the 991.2 GT3 will remain normally aspirated, but, y’know, they’ve already taken the manual ‘box away from us, so why not bung a hairdryer on too!
[Source: Car | Thanks to Richard for the tip]
5 replies on “Porsche gets ready to blow 911 history to pieces”
they screwed us c2s owners with the gts now they will turbo the c2s, why not?
Like it or not turbo is the way of the future. If it doesn’t happen this mid life upgrade then it is a cert for the next generation.
I think it is a good thing, I love the torque on tap at all revs that only a turbo can deliver. And lets not forget, porsche has already built some of the best turbo road cars, so they do know what they are doing!
Yes, yes, yes, I know you’re right, but let’s hope the 911 doesn’t lose too much of its iconic flat six induction noise.
The game changes again… Hang on to your naturally aspirated c2s. In 20 years it will be as sought after as the later air-coolled cars are now.
[…] R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz has confirmed earlier rumours that the Porsche 911 range is heading towards a turbocharged […]