Porsche introduced a hybrid version of their iconic 911 Carrera GTS. This is the first time a street-legal 911 comes with a hybrid system. The update also includes design tweaks to the exterior and interior, improved aerodynamics, and more features.
It’s called the T-Hybrid system and combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor. The gasoline engine is a brand new 3.6-liter turbocharged flat-six. The electric motor is mounted directly on the gearbox. Battery is a compact, liquid-cooled lithium-ion unit stored in the front trunk.
Whole setup gives the new 911 Carrera GTS a significant power boost of 60 horsepower and 40Nm of torque compared to the previous model. Overall, the T-Hybrid system produces 541 horsepower and 610 Nm of torque.
New hybrid system shaves 0.4 seconds off the 0-100 km/h acceleration time, bringing it down to a blistering 3.0 seconds. It also delivers impressive improvements in acceleration at higher speeds, reaching 0-160 km/h in 6.8 seconds (0.9 seconds faster) and 0-200 km/h in 10.5 seconds (1.1 seconds quicker). Top speed sees a slight bump to 312 km/h.
Hybrid system adds some weight to the new 911 Carrera GTS, making it 50kg heavier and tipping the scales at 1,595kg. Interestingly, the battery itself only accounts for 27 kilograms of that increase. Despite the added weight, Porsche claims the placement of the battery in the front improves the car’s weight distribution slightly. The new weight distribution is around 37% front and 63% rear, which should help maintain the car’s legendary handling.
The new hybrid system proves its performance benefits with a significantly faster lap time on the Nurburgring racetrack. Car clocks in at an impressive 7 minutes and 16.93 seconds, a whopping 8.7 seconds quicker than the previous model.
Moreover, Time puts the GTS in the same league as the highly regarded 718 Cayman GT4 RS and only four seconds behind the legendary 918 Spyder.
It uses a new BorgWarner turbocharger with a built-in energy recovery system. This system captures the heat from exhaust gases and turns it into electricity, similar to the technology used in Porsche’s winning 919 race car.
Extra Power from Thin Air: The system can generate up to 11 kW of electricity, which translates to more power for the car.
The t-hybrid system uses a clever combination of technology to be powerful and efficient without needing to be plugged in.
Turbo with a Recharge: A new turbocharger captures waste heat from exhaust gases and converts it into electricity, similar to Porsche’s championship-winning race car. This extra electricity provides a boost without needing a bigger battery.
Electric Braking Bonus: Regenerative braking, where the electric motor captures energy during braking, also contributes to charging the battery.
Compact Powerhouse: Thanks to these features, the T-Hybrid system uses a small 1.9 kWh battery and doesn’t require external charging.
Twin Power for Twin Thrills:
Traditional Muscle: The new 3.6-liter flat-six engine is a powerhouse, generating 485 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque.
Electric Boost: A disc-shaped electric motor integrated within the gearbox adds an extra 54 horsepower and 150 Nm of torque.
Combined Power: Together, the gas engine and electric motor deliver a peak output of 541 horsepower and a broad range of torque (610 Nm) available between 1,950 and 6,000 rpm. This translates to impressive acceleration and responsiveness.
Replacing, Not Adding:
The T-Hybrid system uses a single, more efficient turbocharger instead of the twin turbos found in the previous 3.0-liter engine (which will still be offered in other 911 models).
This new turbo, with its electric boost, provides faster and more consistent power delivery across a wider engine speed range.
To fit the T-Hybrid system in the front of the car, Porsche had to shrink the fuel tank by 6 liters, bringing it down to 84 liters.
New Home for the Small Battery: The smaller 12V battery that used to be in the front now lives under the rear seat.
All-Wheel Drive Ready: Although the new Carrera GTS comes in rear-wheel drive only, Porsche says the T-Hybrid system can work with all-wheel drive too. This means future versions of the 911 Turbo and Carrera 4 might get a hybrid boost as well.
New active air ducts on the front bumper adjust to optimize cooling for the engine and brakes, improving overall aerodynamic efficiency. The front bumper now houses advanced radar and ultrasonic sensors, while the standard LED matrix headlights integrate the turn signals for a cleaner look.
The facelift brings new OLED taillights, a revised spoiler, and a reworked diffuser to refresh the car’s rear end. An optional aerodynamic kit transforms the new 911 GTS into a downforce machine. At top speed (312 km/h), it generates 10 kg of downforce compared to the standard model’s lift of 30 kg. The Interior gets a modern touch with a fully digital driver display replacing the analog tachometer. Touchscreen infotainment system gains new displays specifically designed for the hybrid system.
Also read : Mahindra BE 09 electric SUV is set to hit showrooms on December 15, 2024, with a starting price of ₹45 lakh.
New, aerodynamically optimized wheels further enhance performance by reducing drag. This facelift achieves a record-breaking drag coefficient of 0.27, down from the previous 0.32.
