LA show: Porsche shows off next 911
BY RON HAMMERTON | 28th Nov 2018
PORSCHE Cars Australia (PCA) has confirmed an Australian launch in the second quarter for the eighth-generation 911 that made its global debut in mainstream Carrera S and 4S coupe guises at the Los Angeles motor show today.
Primed with a fresh look, more power and a slick new eight-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, the latest 911 also gets more technology, including a world-first wet-road detection system that adjusts safety systems and warns the driver of potential hazards.
So far, PCA has announced only two prices – $265,000 plus on-road costs for the Carrera S PDK coupe and $281,100 for the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S PDK coupe – representing a price rise of $3450 for each variant.
The company says launch details of further variants, including the base Carrera, will be released in 2019.
In all, the new 911 range is expected to grow to more than 20 variants, including petrol-electric hybrid versions for the first time from 2020. All variants are expected to be turbocharged, including the hot-shot track-focused 911s that have been strictly normally aspirated until now.
Known as Type 992 in Porsche-speak, the latest 911 sits on a widened version of Porsche’s modular MMB platform and is cloaked in an all-new, fully aluminium body that – as expected – features evolutionary styling with obvious links to previous generations of the iconic rear-engine sportscar.
Subtle changes include a wider multi-stage rear spoiler, recessed door handles, LED matrix headlamps and a full-width LED light bar across the back, just above two big-bore, oval-shaped exhaust pipes protruding from the rear fascia.
Unlike before, all 911 variants now get the fat wide-bodied look that, in Carrera form, was previously restricted to the all-wheel-drive versions.
The wider rear wheel housings stretch over 20- and 21-inch wheels. At the front, the new 911 is 45mm wider.
The Carrera S and 4S get a revamped turbo 3.0-litre boxer engine that delivers an extra 22kW of power, to 331kW, thanks to an improved fuel-injection system and modifications to the turbocharger and intercooler plumbing.
As previously announced, the 911 comes with a freshly developed eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission – one speed more than previously – as standard equipment, but manual gearbox fans should not sweat: an optional manual transmission will be along at some point.
The rear-wheel-drive Carrera S is said to be capable of blitzing the 0-100km/h dash in 3.7 seconds, while the grippy 4S does it fractionally faster, in 3.6s. In both cases, this is 0.4s faster than before.
Adding the optional Sport Chrono package slices a further 0.2s from those times.
While power is up, fuel economy appears to have taken a hit, with the Carrera S PDK now drinking 8.9 litres per 100km on the European NEDC test regime. The previous model was claimed to use 7.7L/100km.
The Carrera 4S PDK consumption is rated at 9.0L/100km, up from 7.9L/100km.
Top speed appears to be unchanged at 308km/h for the Carrera S and 306km/h for its AWD counterpart.
Among new driving technologies is Wet Mode, which will be standard across the 911 range and detects wet roads and adjusts systems such as traction control and ESC for safer driving.
An optional feature will be Night Vision Assist – a driving aid that employs a thermal imaging camera to detect people or animals on the road.
Inside, the new 911 keeps its traditional central circular tacho in the instrument binnacle, but that is now flanked by display that show other information.
The main touchscreen now measures 10.9 inches and is easier to navigate with the aid of five buttons to directly access vehicle functions.
The 911 is now permanently connected to the internet for features such as online navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.
In Australia, orders for the Carrera S and 4S can be placed now, with delivery starting in the second quarter of 2019.
