rpilot

What are everyone's realistic thoughts (not wishful thinking, not because you cannot stand to not see it around and not because the idea makes you mad) on Porsche making the 911 as we know it (ie: rear engined oddity of the automotive world) beyond this generation and the next.. ie: after around 2025?

Will there be a market of enthusiasts still around to purchase these new? As opposed to some variant of cayman, boxster and maybe the 200K+ mid engined car that rumors keep floating around of?

The 911 inspired a generation or two and IMO that is still the reason for the sales. Will the current generations be more inspired by the mid engined sports cars, sports car alternatives, etc... in the next decade or will the 911 prevail ?

Hammer911

How about an all-electric 911 with batteries that can be moved around to balance the car as you would like?

blackbull

^ Blasphemy!!!!

stealthboy

Beyond 2025:

- All electric
- Retains the basic 2+2 layout but 'rear engine' doesn't mean anything anymore

MarcusG

Can I get in a MT?

chuck911

Hammer's (probably halfway joking) idea is probably pretty close. They've been using the 911 for hybrid testing for some time now already. The 911 is such a legend, not to mention foundational legacy, its hard to see them letting it go any time soon. Its a little easier to see the 911 sort of phased away into even more of a niche market. I could imagine it continuing on to serve racing and the small segment of enthusiasts who are seeking a driver's car - for which the 911 will probably reign supreme for decades to come. But in 10 years it will almost certainly be a hybrid, with lots of features that will make some of us today gag (heads-up holographic display switchable between providing 360 degree visibility and HD movies, say) along with comfort and quiet - and performance- far beyond anything available anywhere today. Active suspension, maybe. Not like today's "active" that merely adjusts passive shocks, but true active that reads the road and moves the suspension up and down, simultaneously adjusting for the road, lateral acceleration (body roll), sharp inclines (front clearance) and rough roads (overall ride height). Electronically actuated valves that allow real-time adjustment of lift and timing individually, the way DFI now does for fuel delivery. Brakes that soft-modulate, a further refinement of ABS. Greater mode adjustability for steering feel, suspension and throttle response.

If all the automation makes people gag, it might help to consider that around this time you will probably be able to buy a Hyundai with automated parking feature that lets you get out where you want to be while the car goes and finds its own parking space and returns later to pick you up. Porsche will have that too- in another five years and as a $12k option on certain models.

MarcusG

Don't worry Chuck,

We know you posted here before 911jetta started that other "hybrid" thread.

And Chuck is correct. How could Porsche ever let go of the 911?? That's like Domino's letting go of the pepperoni.

And besides, Chuck would have to change his screen name. Oh the travesty!

MKW

in the future, most will never own a car their whole lifetime....they will just call up an autonomous driverless car that picks them up at prearranged place and time, drops them off, then picks them up for next trip at same or different location etc.,

each vehicle at each leg of trip is different as they will all be in continous use , obviating need for parking structures to house millions of motionless cars as occurs now during the work day

they will wonder how we ancients tolerated wasting so many resources to produce so many underused cars as well as the many thousands of hours of lost productivity in mundane work or chore -related driving

riders will specify number passengers, amt of luggage , groceries, vacation trips etc. and it sends the right sized one for each leg

pay for use , pay more for upgraded luxury, amenities in vehicle ,etc. if desired

ipse dixit

Hopefully by then I can afford a used 918.

rpilot

@chuck911, MKW, stealthboy, Hammer911... you guys are having fun.. that's cool. But, back to the question.. will the 911 exist in more than just the name? I mean everything you point out is going to happen at some point, but will the rear engine 911 truly exist?

If you have batteries and electric motors, don't you think that Porsche would put these where they make most sense to them, all things considered?

Hybrids.. for a while I am certain that the engine could be kept in the rear, but eventually it would make more sense to put the engine, well. where it makes most sense. Even my current 991 has the engine CG ahead of the rear axle now vs the 911s of the past where this was not the case.. Will the 911 slowly be diluted to a different car to where in 2025, while they may still use the 911 moniker (you don't give up a good thing), will it really be a 911?

Today, size, engine placement and Porsche's market pricing are what segment cayman, boxster and 911... I expect this to continue... but if 911 is to become more and more of a GT (and I personally do not have a problem with this).. what separtes it from a good sports coupe ? The shape? Well.. the Macan kinda looks like a bloated 911 too... lower it, take out the rear doors.. does that make it a 911? Considering that engine placement is the 911s key feature, how do you think it will play out in the future?

chuckbdc

A carbon substance piston free engine low in the chassis where it is now, working on demand to recharge a battery and make Porsche sounds when PSE is engaged. Being the year after the 60th edition, it is available in GTS trim with illuminated deviated stitching for lighting inside and out. For dedicated enthusiasts, an option will be available to disconnect from the control net that has replaced the Internet and drive it occasionally, too in controlled settings call "tracks". PCA and similar clubs will be licensed to control the experience for the manufacturer, much as they do now. And yes it will be instantly recognizable as a 911. Chuck911 will have cleaning tips ready.

Zohan

Behold the futures here

Porsche Jeff

Will pse be available as an mp3?

Cheekymonkeyman

In 2025 i suspect the 911 will still be a 911 much as we know it today... Yes there is likely to be a hybrid version to meet legislative requirements and i am sure there will be numerous new acronyms to keep the base model price in order and styling / technology refinement... But it will still be available in petrol, rear engined format with beautiful hips and a feeling of heritage. Chucks ideas are smart as well as funny.

iPods / iPads / iPhones didn't exist 11 years ago - Not even in Cupertino HQ... But automotive technology was... Pretty much as it still is... Hybrids were a commercial reality in the form of Prius over 15 years ago and... damn it... Ferdinand himself designed a hybrid just after the turn of the century... Last century! So anything that takes Porsche over 100 years to commercialise isn't likely to wipe out petrol engines in the next 11 years in my book....

And do i think this because i am scared of change? He'll no! Innovation & technological advancement is my life/career/passion ... And I'd probably be first in the queue for a hybrid (yes i have PDK lol) ... I just think 11 years will bring us even more beauty, technology and modernisation... Maybe 2044 will be a different story...

Hope that's serious enough rpilot

Noah Fect

The first Porsche was electric.

The best Porsche is the next one.

Beyond that, it's hard to say anything definitive.