A Nonce

Lots of rumors flying around that the 992.2 will feature NA (naturally aspirated) motors for the Carrera-line models:
So far I have not seen any verification of this. The spy shots included in that video even indicate that they have a on-board turbo of some kind as indicated by the boost pressure dial.


I want to see where people think Porsche will go. I have summarized some Pro/Cons for Porsche sticking with turbo vs. going NA. Initially I thought that them going NA was going to be impossible but I am not so sure anymore.


## Carreras Stay Turbo
### Pro

* Low-end torque. This is much more usable for the streets.
* Helps with fleet-wide carbon emissions. Likely a a turbo engine will have a lesser CO2 emission rating vs NA counterpart.
* Spy shots confirm a boost gauge (could be a diversion).

### Con

* NA motors can be adapted for hybrid tech which would fill-in the usual lack of torque low in RPM range usually associated with NA engines. See the new Lamborghini Revuelto (which is also in the VW group).
* People are clearly willing to pay more for NA motors, even with their notable shortcomings: See Cayman GTS vs Cayman GTS 4.0. (sound, response, etc)



## Carreras Go NA (without hybridization)
### Pro

* Engineering department has the budget for a new engine & Marketing would love a NA engine if they can meet the fleet wide metrics
* A lot of people will drop their 991.2 & 992.1's turbo'ed Carrera engines like hot potatoes if they can get in a GT3-like experience with reasonable suspension/comfort. Porsche likes money!
* The Cayman's GT4's engine can possibly be reworked for greater HP (by raising the redline). My math says it can be raised to ~450 HP if the redline can be raised to ~9k.
* The GT4's co2 consumption is pretty similar to that of the base Carrera (mid 250's g/km).
* "...new emissions regulations planned for Europe around the middle of the decade will spur bigger engines to return in favor of downsized units"
* If they can sell more Taycans it might give more breathing room for a NA motors higher co2 emissions.

### Con
* Even if the reline can be raised they will need a engineering miracle (without electric motors) to raise the torque past the GT4's anemic ~310 ft*lb @ 5,000 RPM. Enthusiasts won't mind but regular Carrera drivers will when the slowest Tesla can wipe the floor with them at every stop light. For reference the base Carrera 992 engine has 331 ft*lb @ 1,900 RPM.
* Very difficult to pull off given restrictions. Has to be faster than previous mode, same or lower co2 emissions, packaging constraints.
* In China, downsized ICE engines are still preferred vs. larger displacement engines. The Chinese market is a huge focus for Porsche. Unsure what the take rate for 911's there though.
* Spy shots point to a 6,800 RPM redline turbo'ed engine.

What do y'all think?! I think that the Carrera's won't go NA without hybridization in the 992.2.

catdog2

I didn't enjoy the engine dynamics or sound on my ex-718 Spyder; it had terrible injector click sound at idle and low rpm that was variable and would come and go. It didn't sound melodious but rather Subaru-like harsh on tone likely because of no mixing in exhaust in oem configuration. Its sound quality did improve above 6500rpm to 8000rpm however. I was relieved switching to the more mechanical 4L gt3 engine in the 991.2 touring because I didn't want to spend $15k experimenting with every combination of over axle pipes and rear exhaust.

That said, Porsche must have spent a small fortune developing that 718 4L six and doesn't seem like they recovered cost from the small number relatively of 781 GTS/GT4/Spyder sales and it seems like it could have been pushed further. Finally not sure how 992.2 could remain turbocharged with all the mules running with clean rear bumpers without the intercooler exit vent unless they get repositioned to the top of engine a la 930 or are using smart and fancy subterfuge. A light hybrid Kers at low rpm with a reworked 4L 718 engine could make 992.2 feel more spontaneous but riding the torque wave on the 991.2-992.1 not to mention easy OBD (softronic/m-eng. etc.) to transform car into beast will be missed.

ipse dixit

The GT4 engine is simply a turbo-free version of the 992-generation 911's 3.0-liter 9A2EVO engine.

The R&D was minimal.

Jimmy-D

No way Porsche going back to NA on the 992.2 in the Carrera line models.

A Nonce

I thought so as well. But it could make sense if we get a electric engine with a small battery pack in there!

A Nonce

One would think so but you never know what complexities arise from these sort of projects. Could be as simple as getting cylinder deactivation (which the 4.0L engine does have) done correct to have been a pain. My money would be on packaging complexities but 🤷‍♂️.

A Nonce

bingo! I thought the same and then I realized that the rear spoiler is much, much bigger! Notice that there’s a rear light under the spoiler now for when it gets deployed. It must be that the wing is so much larger that it occludes the fixed center rear brake light. My money is on the rear intercooler opening getting much much bigger.

remington

I owned a 718 GT4 which had that magnificent NA motor but I think I prefer my C2 for the street. Low end power and more sensible gearing.

nal13

NA ain’t going to happen in the non GT cars. Doesn’t make financial nor environmental sense.

kim9701

From marketing perspective, can Porsche call it a 911 Turbo if the engine is NA?

phefner

Given that nobody thought they would/could, put the GT3 engine in the GT4RS, the .2 realization will be interesting.

3rdpedal

They call the Taycan a Turbo and it is an EV. Porsche applies ICE trim names to EVs, they will and can call it whatever they want.

Denny Swift

I think the engine is irrelevant. Every new 911 sells like crazy and many Porsche guys “trade up” with every new iteration, mainly so they can brag that they have the newest and best. I honestly think that if Porsche owners were prohibited from showing off their cars at the local coffee shops and on the internet, sales would tank immediately. Many will claim that we all need to drop our antiquated 992.1s, no matter what occupies the engine bay, ASAP because their value will plummet.

But back on topic…the only rational I can see for the .2 going NA would be if it’s in conjunction with a hybrid system where a small electrical motor takes the place of the turbos. So will it really be NA if the “boost” comes from an electric motor rather than an exhaust pressure turbo? I don’t see how the .2 will be a “stand alone” NA like the GT4/Spyder/GTS 4.0/GT3. And how much weight will it gain??

But whatever it is, it will sell like crazy and it will be declared “the best 911 ever!”

X-PH.COM - MIKE

Agree, it would be shocking if they went back to NA

Apbc2

I thought I read somewhere that there's no way to make the 4.0 engine work with AWD. I really don't see them going back to NA on the .2