Porsche Takes the Wraps Off the 992.2 Generation 911–Is it REALLY Better?
Porsche 992.2 loses the back seats (and ignition key), but gains an electric motor and more power to offset the significant price increase.
Writing an article to sum up the recently revealed 992.2 generation Porsche 911 is not easy. The reason is–there’s a LOT to unpack with this.
There is more power across the board; this is especially true in GTS trim as those cars gain a new electric motor to assist the new 3.6-liter flat-six engine. The suspension and PDK transmission has been upgraded, the exterior design freshened up and technology has been added. However, the 992.2 got heavier, lost its analog tachometer, lost its ignition key, AND lost its manual transmission–on top of being significantly more expensive. Is the 992.2 a better car? That depends on your perspective. It is faster for sure, but that doesn’t necessarily mean better.
In addition to the press release, Porsche dropped a video of the new 992.2 on their YouTube channel. So, we can hear and see these cars in motion. On the looks front, it would be only the hardcore Porsche nerds like us that will be able to spot a 992.2 over a 992.1. Most people will just see it as another 911. But just because the car doesn’t make it obvious from the outside that it is new doesn’t mean that there are not significant changes. Let’s take a look at some of those changes now.
992.2 GTS
Without a question the biggest changes come to the GTS model. At the heart of it all is the new T-Hybrid powertrain with a newly developed 3.6L boxer engine. The total system output increases to 533 horsepower and 449 pound-feet of torque. The suspension of the 911 Carrera GTS was extensively updated as well. The GTS is more efficient and faster than ever before. Porsche claims a 0.3 second reduction in 0 to 60 mph time compared to the previous gen GTS. And the new car lapped the Nürburgring 8.7 seconds faster.
That is all great. But nothing in life is free, and that certainly applies to Porsche performance. The GTS coupe is 103 pounds heavier than the previous version. The 992.2 GTS is available with a newly strengthened 8-speed PDK transmission only. The manual transmission GTS is dead. Also, the new GTS coupe starts at $164,900 which is $14,000 more than the 992.1 GTS coupe.
992.2 Carrera
The base Carrera is still powered by a 3.0L flat six, but it now uses the intercooler from the 911 Turbo models, and the turbochargers are from the previous generation GTS. The result is a 9-horsepower bump to 388 total. Porsche says the new car will be one tenth quicker to 60 mph and have a 1 mph higher top speed, which puts it at 183 mph. The exterior design has been updated with a new front fascia that is model-specific. The headlights have been redesigned and the air intakes are larger. Pricing increases by $5,700. A base 911 now starts at $120,100.
Where the 911 Is Going
The 992.2 features some big changes inside. All new 992.2 coupe models are 2-seaters as standard. Porsche ditched the vestigial back seats. However, they will add them back in for you as a no cost option. The 992.2 cars also no longer have an ignition key. It now features the same generic looking Start/Stop button as you would find in a Toyota Corolla. Although Porsche did keep it on the left. The new 911 also features a fully digital instrument cluster for the first time. It looks nice and can be customized with seven different display views based on your preference. But the hallmark analog center tachometer is gone.
So to sum up the 992.2. It is faster, more powerful and more efficient. But the manual transmission GTS is gone, the analog tach is gone, the weight is up, the traditional key is gone, the car is jammed with more electronics than ever before and the pricing is getting out of control. Not to sound like the stereotypical old man yelling “You know back in my day…” but the direction the 911 is heading is concerning.
Yes, emissions regulations present challenges. And we are glad the 911 has not gone full EV. But other than the basic shape, this new 911 takes a significant step away from what the 911 used to be not that long ago. I am not comparing the 992.2 to a 1973 Carrera RS. I am comparing to the 991.2 911 of not that many years ago.
Verdict & Silver Lining
We haven’t driven the new cars yet, so we can’t fairly judge them. They are quicker, faster, more efficient and have more technology than ever before. But they also continue to move further away from the pure driving experience that so many of us loved in the older models. Time moves on, even for the 911. If you want the fastest, most efficient 911 GTS ever created, you are in luck. But if you don’t, there is a silver lining.
You probably won’t be alone. And previous 911 values are likely to remain strong as people push back on the “electrified” 911. If you like your 911 simpler and with a purer driving experience, I suggest you comb through the Rennlist Marketplace now and look for a deal on an older generation car. They might not get any cheaper than they are today.
Photos: Porsche
Join the Rennlist forums!
