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Feann Torr13 Jun 2015
NEWS

Porsche 911 hybrid is go

Electric performance to boost naturally-aspirated 911 Carerra 4 hybrid from 2018

Two of Porsche's most senior executives have all but confirmed that the sports car company's most iconic model, the 911, will go hybrid -- in the form of the next-generation all-wheel drive 911 Carrera 4.

Although purists may scoff, Porsche is convinced of the merits of a petrol-electric hybrid 911, which will leverage the technology used in Zuffenhausen's current Le Mans sports car campaign.

Even former Australian F1 and now Porsche race car driver Mark Webber is behind the idea, saying customers are ready to embrace the next step in sports cars.

Although the specifications of the next-generation 911, due in about three years, won't be known until closer to its premiere, details of the first Porsche 911 hybrid are taking shape – potentially a Carrera 4 with electrically-driven front wheels and petrol-powered rear wheels.

This could be the first cab off the 911 hybrid rank, explained Dr Frank-Stefan Walliser, Porsche's motorsport boss, during the world's most famous sports car race, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"It would be a Carrera 4, why not? With four-wheel drive what you can do, the freedom you have how to use the traction, you're not depending on the speed between the different axles," he said, highlighting the benefits of doing away with a central differential.

Porsche will use September's Frankfurt motor show to reveal a facelifted version of the current 911 (991-series), which will adopt downsized turbo-petrol engines.

However, the 911 (992-series) due in 2018 will require more drastic measures to meet tighter CO2 emissions, hence the adoption of hybrid technology.

It's no secret that Porsche is a keen purveyor of plug-in hybrid technology, with the Cayenne SUV, Panamera sedan and 918 Spyder supercar all making use of electric power to boost performance and reduce emissions. But as Walliser explains, a hybrid Porsche 911 is a trickier proposition because of the history and prestige behind the iconic badge.

"It has to feel like a Porsche and like a 911. It must drive like these cars always drive," he said of a hybrid version, with the first iterations likely to be naturally aspirated – meaning that not all of Porsche's next-generation 911's will be turbocharged.

"I would say normally aspirated [engine] is the better choice [for 911 hybrid]. You save the weight of the turbo and you have the low-end torque of the electric motors so that fits normally better."

The Porsche executive also noted that "I expect we'll end up with every model line with a plug-in hybrid".

The man who will have the final say, Porsche's research and development boss Dr Wolfgang Hatz, is also pushing for a non-turbo 911 hybrid.

"He's totally convinced about that, yeah," says Walliser. "We are both fighting for normally aspirated engines in hybrid cars."

Dr Hatz was also unequivocal, pointing to the trickle-down effect its motorsport technology will have on the 911.

"Most people believe hybrid is [Toyota] Prius. And slow and no fun to drive. Porsche is different. I love hyrbids – if they are powerful," he told motoring.com.au, highlighting the 652kW Porsche 918 Spyder as a case in point.

"For sure [when] an all-new 911 comes, I have to have the opportunity to do that [hybrid]."

Perhaps the biggest issue facing a Porsche 911 plug-in hybrid, which would ostensibly be heavier but more powerful than current models, would be customer acceptance, but Hatz says buyers will "absolutely" embrace the idea.

"A lot of people think hybrid is just for fuel economy, but hybrid can be also fun. I am convinced of the concept," he stated. "Absolutely."

"Personally I'm a strong supporter of hybrid technology. I push hard for this. I tell you if it improves performance, then we need it on our sports cars. If it's fun to drive, people will want that."

Australian sports car driver and former F1 winner Mark Webber agrees, saying that 911 buyers will "definitely" welcome the new hybrid technology.

"They will, because we're not easy to convince, as racing drivers, with this technology," says the Porsche 919 driver at Le Mans.

Webber also hinted the downsized turbo-petrol 911s due later in the year and hybrid versions will raise eyebrows.

"When you see the massive downsize in engines and very, very, very awesome turbo tech, consumption is low and you've got the interface of the hybrid side.

"If you had this in its crude sense, it'd be hard to use day to day. But now, literally the stuff we're doing, the options available off the back of this [Le Mans motorsport] program, it's some good stuff," grinned the Australian.

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