New engines in Porsche 911 Carrera boost power and torque; almost 12% more efficient
07 September 2015
The new Porsche 911 Carrera features a set of new engines that increase power and torque while also decreasing fuel consumption. The completely new engine generation with bi-turbo charging offers 370 hp (272 kW) at the rear of the 911 Carrera and 420 hp (309 kW) in the 911 Carrera S. In both cases this represents a power increase of 20 hp (15 kW). Both engines have a displacement of three liters.
Every new 911 generation boasts enhanced performance and efficiency compared with the predecessor. For example, depending on the model variant, the new engine generation is almost 12% more efficient: fuel consumption is reduced by up to a liter per 100 kilometers. The 911 Carrera with PDK transmission now consumes 7.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (32 mpg US), a reduction of 0.8 l per 100 km, while the 911 Carrera S with PDK consumes 7.7 l/100 km (31 mpg US)—1.0 l less per 100 km.
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| 911 Carrera S / 911 Carrera Cabriolet. Click to enlarge. |
The greater power of the 911 Carrera S results from turbochargers with modified compressors, a specific exhaust system and tuned engine management.
The new Porsche engines are also characterized by significantly increased torque (60 N·m in each case) with maximum torque of 450 N·m (332 lb-ft) and 500 N·m (369 lb-ft) respectively delivered constantly from a low 1,700 rpm up to 5,000 rpm in both cases. Top speeds and acceleration of both models have also increased.
In conjunction with the optional Sport Chrono Package the 911 Carrera now has a mode switch on the steering wheel for the first time, derived from the hybrid mode switch of the 918 Spyder. The mode switch consists of a rotary ring with four positions for the driving modes “Normal”, “Sport”, “Sport Plus” and “Individual”. Depending on the equipment, the latter setting enables drivers to configure their own individual vehicle set-up, for example the PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management), active engine mounts, PDK shifting strategy and sports exhaust system. In combination with PDK transmission the mode switch has an additional button, the “Sport Response Button”. When this button is pressed the drivetrain is pre-conditioned for maximum acceleration for 20 seconds, for example before overtaking manoeuvres. For this, the optimum gear is engaged and the engine management adjusted to an even more spontaneous response for a short time.
For the first time, the new PASM chassis, which lowers the ride height by ten millimeters, is a standard feature on board all Carrera models. It further improves stability during fast cornering. At the same time the new shock absorber generation with its wider spread characteristics enhance comfort thanks to an even more precise response characteristic and also improve the body connection during dynamic driving.
The active rear-axle steering that is available as an option for the 911 Carrera S is chassis technology adopted from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3. It further enhances the turn-in behaviour of the 911. In addition, it makes for high driving stability when changing lanes at high speeds. At the same time it ensures greater maneuverability in city traffic thanks to the turning circle reduced by 0.5 meters. The improved handling is transmitted to the driver via the new steering wheel generation with a design based on the steering wheel of the 918 Spyder. The basic steering wheel has a diameter of 375 millimeters; the optional GT sports steering wheel measures 360 millimeters. For unlimited everyday practicality Porsche offers a hydraulic lift system with integrated lifting cylinders in the struts of the front axle. Pressing a button increases the ground clearance at the front by 40 millimeters within 5 seconds and thus prevents the vehicle underbody from hitting the ground, for example on steep garage exits.
A standard feature of the new 911 Carrera models is the newly developed Porsche Communication Management System (PCM) including online navigation module and voice control. The PCM can be operated by performing multi-touch gestures on the seven-inch display, similar to operating a smartphone. User inputs by handwriting are possible, for instance. Mobile phones and smartphones can now also be connected via Wi-Fi. The smartphone tray being integrated for the first time in the centre armrest also offers battery-saving charging and optimized mobile phone reception. Also new is the option of connecting an iPhone to the PCM to use Apple CarPlay.
Real-time traffic information is available for significantly improved navigation. It gives the driver a quick overview of the traffic situation and guarantees dynamic adaptation of the route to this information. Google Earth and Google Streetview are also being integrated for the first time to offer better orientation. Other components of the PCM are Porsche Car Connect and the Porsche Connect app, which can be used for such functions as remote control of vehicle functions, transfer of destinations to the PCM for navigation and use of music streaming services by third-party providers via the PCM.
The 911 Carrera can now be customized even more precisely according to personal preferences with further new and improved assistance systems: the optional automatic speed control can now also brake moderately when the pre-set speed is exceeded, for example when driving downhill. The Adaptive Cruise Control ACC (option) now has a coasting function in conjunction with a PDK transmission. When driving in a queue the clutches are disengaged, thus saving fuel with unpowered coasting. The optional lane change assistant monitors traffic behind with radar and uses LED lamps in the left and right of the mirror triangle to warn the driver about approaching vehicles in the blind spot. In addition, Porsche increases the active safety of the sports car with the post-collision braking system as a standard feature.
The new Porsche 911 Carrera models will be launched in Germany on 12 December 2015.
The 911 is probably the best sports car that exist today and also the best selling doing about 10,000 units per year globally. However, it suffers from using outdated technology in particular that combustion engine.
Fortunately, Musk recently said Tesla will make a new Roadster to launch in 2019 and it will of cause be faster than Model S with ludicrous speed. My guess is that Tesla will make a Roadster that can outrun anything that other mass produced sports cars offer. So less than 2 sec from 0 to 60 and less than 10 sec for the quarter mile. Tesla could do it with prices going from 70k to 130k like the model S. It will be smaller so it cost less to produce but low numbers (10k to 15k units per year) will mean higher costs so I guess the same price as for Model S.
Tesla needs that Roadster in order to take a large share of the global market for luxury cars and because ridiculously fast and sexy looking sports cars are good for Tesla's brand.
So Tesla's launch schedule could be Model X by 29th sep, 2015, Model 3 by late 2017, the Roadster II, by late 2019 and my bet is an autonomous taxi without steering wheels and a robotic global supercharger network that enable self charging at 120k Watt of any Tesla by late 2021.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 September 2015 at 03:43 AM
Sorry the 10k unit sales per year for 911 was only for North America. The global sales could be 30k units but I am unable to find a source. In that case Tesla's market potential for a new Roadster II is also 30k units per year which make it more interesting and more important.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche#North_American_sales
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 September 2015 at 04:21 AM
Henrik is doing a good job to (rightly so) promote TESLAs. His forecast are probably correct. The planned TESLA III could become a world leading affordable BEV if range is extended to 500+ Km and price kept below $40K.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 September 2015 at 07:41 AM
The thing is that Tesla is the only automaker worthy of some praise. Tesla develop pollution free technology that will lower the total cost of transportation per mile when it reaches the driverless stage whereas the old guard is stuck copying each other and refining old technology that is certain to destroy the planet if nothing else happens. And the fuel cell cars that some of the old automakers have been pursuing since the 1960s is nothing but a pipe dream that has not made it beyond a few thousand test cars despite 10s of billions of USD in development costs or hundreds of times more than Tesla ever spend developing their cars.
Hydrogen has a future if produced from renewable energy and used for rocket fuel and long-distance aviation where its low weight and high energy content comes in handy but otherwise it does not stand a chance against the much simpler BEVs. Electric cars are not complicated at all once you have a suitable battery that can be produced at low cost. The breakthrough for BEVs will come with driverless technology where you can take advantage of the extremely high durability of batteries and electric motors and spread their high capital cost over a very high number of miles driven that is possible in an autonomous taxi that should easily be able to make income from driving 100,000 miles per year for ten years before scrapping and at extremely low cost of operation.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 07 September 2015 at 12:19 PM
Henrik, this article has nothing to do with Tesla in the first place. In what point did you decide that it was appropriate to give praise to a BEV OEM, when this article is about an OEM of high performance sports cars with ICEs? Teslas are only capable of out running other cars at the drag strip. And even then, the battery range will only allow so many runs in a day before a lengthy recharge is in order. On a real track, where a Porsche owner is very likely to take their 911 to, will run circles around a Tesla S or the Roadster. Acceleration is one thing, but people buy sports cars for driving dynamics. In the Teslas case, the weight of the batteries will always work against it in that department.
Posted by: Aleksey | 07 September 2015 at 04:38 PM
The Model S 90D has 285 miles of EPA rated range and there are no complaints in Tesla forums about range anxiety after they stopped selling the Model S60. It appears that the 230 miles EPA range of the Model S70 (the new lowest range Tesla) is enough not to disappoints its owners. Range anxiety is for those who drive a BEV with a short range like all the less than 100 miles BEVs (24kwh) on the market. There you have a point criticising the range of BEVs but not with Tesla's range. The 5 min to fuel a gasser is not needed when you have 230 miles or more of real world BEV range. You need to rest longer than 5 min after going 200 miles non-stop and 40 minutes is enough rest and time to charge another 200 miles in the Tesla.
You are also wrong about the handling of BEVs. Tesla's BEVs have better handling that any gasser for three reasons that gassers can't copy. 1) They have the lowest point of gravity because the battery and the engines are in the floor of the car. Tesla's BEVs sit rock solid on the road. 2) Electric motors have full torque from zero rpm and with no gearshifts it is a smooth acceleration unlike the gasser that is extremely bumpy, noisy and difficult to master for a non-professional driver. 3) Tesla's dual drive motor design are further improving the driving dynamics by its ability to instantly (milliseconds) shifting torque between the front and the rear wheels.
I think it is relevant to mention here that Tesla will be marketing a second generation Roadster by 2019 so that people who consider buying a 911 gasser will have the choice to hold off and wait for that Tesla and not get stuck with a comparatively inferior car. I also find it everlasting relevant to point out the inconvenient truth about gassers that they are destroying the environment on this planet and that it is time to let them go.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 08 September 2015 at 12:37 AM
Henrik, you are way too biased against "the gassers". And I still believe that your posts on this article are completely and utterly irrelevant. You can praise Tesla's range, acceleration and low center of gravity all you want. Though, no matter how low the center of gravity, the excessive weight will not and cannot be hidden. Porsche is a maker of sports cars. Tesla is not. Push a Tesla to a limit in the handling department and all that mass, no matter how low the center of gravity, will show its ugly side.
Lastly, any one who would ever consider buying a 911, would not in their right mind consider buying a car that has poor handling characteristics when driven on the edge. You are going to have to try waaay harder to sway a potential 911 buyer into a Tesla.
No matter how hard you wish, gassers will be around for some time. Their demise will occur, but not in our lifetime. Eliminating the gassers will not save the world, though. It will take a lot more than that.
And just so you know, I am not an anti-electric or a pro-gasser. I am just a car guy, gas or electric.
Posted by: Aleksey | 08 September 2015 at 08:36 AM
I don't have a problem with the comparison of the 911 to the Tesla. How many people who own a 911 use it to race. Light-to-Light, I believe a Tesla can hang with the 911.
If I had the choice, I would take the Tesla. Battery locamotion is here to stay.
Posted by: Dr. Strange Love | 08 September 2015 at 10:22 AM
The Porsche 911 v.997 turbo is 1600 kg and the Tesla Roadster I is 1300 kg. I bet the Roadster II for 2019 will be similar in size to the 997 and also weight about 1600 kg. So I do not buy into that BEVs needs to be more heavy for similar power and type vehicles. The battery is heavy but the electric motors weight several hundred kg less for a 700-800 hp combined output. And a Porsche also carry a large fuel tank. 100 liter /kg is not uncommon. If we are still both on GCC in 2019 we could have this discussion again and compare the latest 911 with the Tesla's Roadster II. I will almost put my head on the block that this Roadster II will prevail and cause some real pain on Porches 911 sales. Of cause Porsche may have launched their own BEV 911 at that time and then they can compete again.
My point of view is actually pragmatic. I think we should use BEVs for luxury cars ASAP because they are better as proven by Tesla's Model S and soon also by their Model X. However, for economy cars we need to go with the less expensive gassers until self-driving cars becomes reality. Then the least costly technology with become ultra durable self-driving BEV taxis doing 100,000 miles per year or more taking people to work, school, shopping, vacation indeed anything by a simple tap on a smart phone. No driver licence needed, far less accidents and cheaper than private ownership of an economy gasser.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 08 September 2015 at 02:18 PM