The new 992-generation Porsche 911 has been revealed at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, complete with more powerful versions of the brand’s turbocharged flat-six engines and fresh technology.
While Porsche says its eighth-generation 911 boasts a “much more muscular look”, the exterior styling changes are – as expected – fairly evolutionary. Still, the automaker says the wheel housings are “significantly wider” (covering 20-inch front and 21-inch rear alloys), while the rear end is now the same width across all models.
At the front, the body is some 45 mm wider, while flush door handles have been added. Up front, you’ll also find new LED headlamps, while the rear gains a “significantly wider” variable-position rear spoiler and a one-piece light bar. Apart from the front and rear sections, the entire outer skin is now fashioned from aluminium.
The Zuffenhausen-based brand has also added various chassis updates and assistance systems under the skin. A new “wet mode” has also been introduced (which detects water on the road, “preconditions” the control systems and warns the driver), along with Night Vision Assist (with a thermal imaging camera).
In addition, the next generation of its turbocharged 3,0-litre flat-six engines have been “further developed” to produce more oomph in the S models. The automaker says efficiency has been increased thanks to an improved injection process and a new layout for the turbochargers and charge air cooling system. And power is now delivered via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (apparently, a manual option will eventually be offered, too).
The 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S now each produce 331 kW, which represents an increase of 22 kW compared with the previous models. The rear-wheel-drive coupé needs a claimed 3,7 seconds to hit 100 km/h from standstill while the all-wheel-drive model is one-tenth quicker (specifying the optional Sport Chrono Package will cut a further 0,2 seconds off each time). The new 911 Carrera S tops out at 308 km/h, while the 4S runs out of puff at 306 km/h.
Inside, you’ll find two frameless freeform displays. The centre screen measures 10,9 inches and is sited above a switch unit with five buttons for direct access to the main vehicle functions.
