Analogue Heart, Electric Soul: The New Hybrid Porsche 911
Eyes up all Porsche purists, the iconic 911 has entered a new era, and it’s electrified. Alongside a mid-life refresh for the entire 992 range, the headline act is the brand-new GTS boasting a revolutionary hybrid powertrain. Are you holding your head in your hands, or do you think this is great news?
Hybrid Hero: The T-Hybrid Debuts
Yesteryear were the days of solely gas-guzzling glory for the GTS. Nestled within the heart of the brand-new GTS is a pioneering hybrid system dubbed T-Hybrid. This lightweight marvel comprises two electric motors drawing power from a compact battery. Here’s the clever bit: one motor sits within the turbocharger, eliminating lag and spooling it up instantly. Think of it as an electric assistant, eagerly anticipating your throttle demands.
This setup isn’t only about raw power. The motor doubles as a generator, feeding electricity back into the battery. A second electric motor resides within the transmission, seamlessly adding power and ditching the need for drive belts.
More Power, Less Weight: A Winning Formula
A potent blend of performance and efficiency. The T-Hybrid unleashes 533bhp and 610Nm of torque, a significant upgrade over the previous GTS. And despite the added tech, weight gain is kept to a mere 50kg.
Performance gets a shot in the arm too. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in a mind-bending 3.0 seconds, shaving 0.4 seconds off the previous model. While the top speed remains at an exhilarating 193mph, the hybrid system isn’t compatible with the beloved seven-speed manual – a slight blow to some traditionalists. Fear not, an all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 GTS with hybrid power is on the horizon.
Beyond the Engine: A Sharper 911
The T-Hybrid isn’t the only star of the show. The brand-new GTS’s chassis benefits from a standard rear-wheel steering setup and an upgraded active chassis control system that utilises the new 400V electrical architecture.
The base Carrera isn’t left out either. It inherits the previous GTS’s larger turbos, boosting power to 388bhp and sporting the 911 Turbo’s intercoolers. Like the hybrid GTS, the Carrera ditches the manual option for now, with more variants (and likely a manual option) to follow.
Aesthetics Evolved: Subtlety Reigns Supreme
This update gives more than what lies beneath the hood. The GTS receives a more aggressive front bumper with movable vanes for optimal cooling and downforce. All models share a refreshed look, including new headlights with integrated lighting functions and redesigned three-dimensional taillights. A wider range of colour and wheel options further personalise your Porsche experience.
The Future is Electric (but still analogue at heart)
The most significant change might be hiding right behind the steering wheel. The new GTS waves goodbye to the classic analogue rev counter, replaced by a fully digital instrument cluster. It’s a bold move, one that might stir debate amongst traditionalists. Besides this though, the spirit of the 911 remains – thrilling, innovative, and undeniably Porsche.
So, what do you think about the brand-new GTS? Is the hybrid powertrain a welcome addition to the 911 lineage? Will you miss the analogue rev counter? Let us know in the comments below.
It had to be done and of course Porsche pulled it off and it’s still a 911. This thing has more power than the GT3RS and looks to be a whole lot more civilized. My pick for best all around sports car for 2025!