Plug-in Porsche 911 Likely to Be the Most Powerful Porsche 911

Last year, Porsche paraded out its 911 GT2 RS at the Electronic Entertainment Expo and dubbed it the most powerful 911 in history. However, its 640 horsepower will seem tepid when the next-generation 911 debuts. Referred to internally as the 922 series, the model will continue to host turbocharged flat-six engines in conjunction with rear- or all-wheel drive. But Porsche is also working on a plug-in hybrid variant of the car that’s scheduled for 2021.

While the 911 Turbo S is rumored to make around 630 horsepower, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume suggests the PHEV should be able to surpass it by a wide margin when it rolls off the assembly line a few years after the internal combustion cars. Assuming it’s using the same electrical system as the Panamera 4 E-Hybrid, that could tack on another 136 bhp to whatever six the company chooses to install.

“The 911 plug-in must be a very strong performing car,” Blume said. “It will be the most powerful 911 we’ve ever had; 700bhp might be possible.”

According to Autocar, the CEO also made mention of a special fun button delivering more “electric punch” that would be exclusive to the hybrid model. General changes to the lineup are also in place. The new 911 appears to be slightly wider than the current generation and is expected to receive numerous electronic upgrades. However, Porsche hasn’t been quick to confirm any electrification of the 911’s powertrain.

Instead, it has decided to drop subtle hints that it’s toying with the idea while it undoubtedly works on just such a car. August Achleitner, director of the 911 model line, gave us a taste of that last month. “Two years ago I’d have said no way. Today I wouldn’t categorically rule it out,” he said in a statement. “I drove the prototype of our coming electric sports car, the Mission E, and it was a very compelling experience. And the performance of the Porsche LMP race cars with hybrid drive systems is quite simply sensational.”

As for autonomous driving systems, Achleitner said they “are convenient and useful things” but noted the customer needs to make the choice when use to them. “That’s why a 911 will always have a steering wheel,” he added.

The 922-coded cars should make an appearance at the Paris motor show later this year, but we wouldn’t expect the plug-in 911 to be among them.

[Image: Porsche]