Porsche shows partially revealed 911 in testing photos
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 6th Nov 2018
PORSCHE has given a glimpse of its semi-uncovered eighth-generation 911 sportscar currently undergoing extensive real-world testing in a range of locations across the world ahead of its early 2019 global launch.
Australian timing is yet to be confirmed, however Porsche Cars Australia head of public relations Chris Jordan told GoAuto a local arrival would be “not too far off” the global release.
Casual observers might think the semi-exposed 911 test mules are the same as the current 991 generation, however looking a little closer shows some subtle differences that distinguish the new 992 version.
From the front, the new generation looks almost identical to the current, one, with the same iconic rounded LED headlights, muscular wheelarches and simple front bumper, however the 992 features a more squared-off front bootlid, lightly redesigned door mirrors and door handles that sit flush against the sheet metal.
From the rear, the 911 retains its classic silhouette and air vents over the rear-mounted engine, however the tail-lights have been tweaked to more closely resemble the Panamera sedan and Cayenne large SUV with a long, thin LED light strip connecting the two tail-lights in the middle.
Some test mules even feature a rear spoiler that raises up and down from the bodywork in a similar fashion to the Panamera Turbo, but without folding outward like the four door.
The fleet of 911 vehicles have been undergoing rigorous testing in a highly varied range of locations including extreme heat and cold, high and low altitudes, and high- and low-speed driving scenarios.
Porsche engineers have focused on different areas of testing for different climates, such as hot-weather testing in the Middle East and Death Valley in the US where the air conditioning, thermal management and combustion behaviour are expected to perform seamlessly in temperatures of up to 50 degrees Celcius.
When testing in Finland’s -35°C weather, functions such as cold starts, heating and air-con, traction, handling, braking, and response speed of the control systems are scrutinised.
In all conditions, the interior components are being tested, including the “entirely new operating concept in the cockpit, as well as instruments and displays”, suggesting the new-gen cabin infotainment will be overhauled with a larger touchscreen similar to the Panamera, and possibly a digital instrument cluster as well.
New-generation Porsche Connect connectivity will be included, while driver safety will be enhanced with the inclusion of new active safety features.
Other areas of testing for the new 911 include the 4300-metre high Mt Evans in Colorado, which tested the cars’ turbocharging and fuel systems, China for its high traffic and variable fuel quality, day-to-day driving around native Germany, and racetrack honing in Italy and on the infamous Nurburgring circuit.
All in all, the test mules covered a total of three million kilometres to ensure the vehicles are suitable for both daily and vigorous use.
As previously reported, the new 911 will likely be the first generation of the legendary sportscar to feature electrified powertrains, with the Porsche director of 911 model line August Achleitner comparing the move to water-cooled engines in 1997 and range-wide turbocharging in 2015 as supposedly negative changes that did not negatively affect the performance of the 911.
More details on the new 911 will be revealed at its global premiere, which is expected to be at this month’s Los Angeles motor show.
