Smart, or Sacrilege? Porsche Considering Production of an Electrified 911
Porsche is considering an electrified variant of the iconic 911, which isn’t all that surprising, considering Volkswagen Group wants a battery-enhanced version of every model it builds. But changing the 911 is tantamount to sacrilege among some circles and is likely to receive some mixed responses.
That said, it’s not as if the model remained unchanged since 1963. Porsche has implemented loads of electronic aids over the last decade and even chucked in a turbocharger. Besides, Ruf Automobile already built an all-electric 911 — which it called the eRuf Model A — way back in 2008. The foundation has been set. But we’re not convinced Porsche will walk that path.
Much more likely is that the company will use electric motors to supplement a semi-traditional internal combustion unit, or perhaps utilize a 48-volt mild hybrid system.
However, according to Bloomberg, the manufacturer wants to keep all options on the table regarding engine specifications. So it is possible that Porsche could make the 911 a plug-in hybrid.
Inside sources claim a performance hybrid could be introduced a few years into the life cycle of the 911’s next generation, which is set to be unveiled sometime next year. But Porsche engineers are allegedly still working to how to reduce battery weight in order to offer an electric driving range of about 40 miles (and not accidentally turn the car into an overweight pig).
Either way, the next-gen model is supposedly being designed to facilitate a battery pack and electric motors, and no amount of outrage is likely to change that.
[Image: Porsche]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein! Nein!
I have long-championed a small Diesel engine charging a battery pack that powers a motor in each of the four wheels - and I despise Diesel engines. The performance would be electr... incredible, despite the weight and the clatter and the smell. Amend my dream to a rear flat-6 sports car with direct drive to the rears and electrons to the fronts when needed/wanted, combined with defeatable regenerative braking, and you've got my vote, Jack.
SACRILEGE!!!! It's about as wrong as taking out the flat-six and replacing it with a LSx.
The 911 started out as a variant of the Beetle, and has been in a continual process of modification and evolution for many decades. That history is not likely to change.