The 2020 Porsche 911 was a no-show in Paris, but
there’s a pretty good explanation for this as Car and Driver is reporting the
model will make its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The 911 will be launched in the United States in the spring of 2019
as a 2020 model. Pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but the publication expects it
to start somewhere between US$ 90,000 and US$ 100,000.
Besides confirming the LA debut, several outlets have
published their first drives of a 911 prototype. They effectively reveal most
of the details about the upcoming model. Starting with performance
figures, the 911 Carrera will have a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine
that produces 385 hp. This is an modest increase of 15 hp.
The Carrera S will use a more
powerful twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that develops 450 hp and 550 Nm of torque. When paired to the new PDK
transmission, the car will be able to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in
3.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 309 km/h.
Getting back to the new transmission, it’s an
eight-speed unit called the PDK 2. It is smaller than its predecessor and this
enables enough room for an electric motor which will eventually be used in the
911 Hybrid. A seven-speed manual transmission will join the lineup later on.
While we’ve already seen undisguised 911 prototypes
on numerous occasions, the publications say all model will have the wide rear
end that used to be a hallmark of all-wheel drive variants. Speaking of the
wider hips, the rear fenders will be constructed out of aluminum and this
results in a weight saving of between 10-15 kg.
Speaking of the exterior, the Carrera will have
staggered 19- and 20-inch wheels while the Carrera S will have 20- and
21-inchers. The brakes apparently carryover from the 991, but customers can now
order optional Porsche Surface Coated Brakes. They debuted on the redesigned
Cayenne and feature a tungsten-carbide coating that improves performance and
longevity while also reducing brake dust.
The interior is significantly more high-tech as the
four of the five gauges in the instrument cluster are now digital displays. The
992 also has an 11-inch infotainment system which is a 4 inches larger than the
current display.
The redesigned 911 will also be available with an
assortment of new driver assistance systems. These reportedly include lane
keeping assist, a night vision system and a 360-degree camera system. Customers
can also order an adaptive cruise control system and a blind-spot warning
system.