Porsche 911 (992) - The Story

Porsche 911 (992) (2019 – Present) Story & History

Type 992 – The 8th Generation Porsche 911

Porsche 911 992 Carrera Coupé/Targa/Cabriolet

Official photos: 2018 November 27 / Premiere: 2018 November 27 at Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles / Market launch: 2019 (as a 2020 model)

The design of the 992-generation 911 is closer than ever before to the 993-generation that ceased production in 1998. The majority of porschephiles agree the 911 design reached its peak with the 993. The front lid now has the groove in the middle (not so embossed as on the 993, but still) and the lid’s front edge is straight, not curvy as it has meanwhile been on the 997 and 991 generations. While the 992 got good design stuff from the 993, its overall stance – its proportions and size – are naturally closer to the 991.

The curvy shape of the fenders, especially at the back, is closer to the 993 than ever before. The 993 was followed by the 996-generation which got its aerodynamic design from the Boxster, so it was sleek and didn’t look as good as it should have. The majority of Porsche fans are not racing drivers, so they are more interested in better looks than in better aerodynamics. The wheel arches have protruded again ever since the 997 generation was launched in 2004. In 2011, the 991-generation 911 once again got wider fenders, but the 992 even tops that. While the 992’s rear end width stayed the same as on the widebody 991, at the front, the body width was increased by 1.8″/45 mm, making room for the wider front track. The rear end now also has the same width across all engine versions. That is really good news for the people who prefer sports cars with rear wheel drive, but at the same time want the wide body. All the versions also have the 911 trademark rear lamp panel that during the 996, 997 and 991 generations was reserved only for the 4S version. The lamp panel design language is from the 971-generation Panamera (launched in 2016), but the upper edge of the lamps is completely straight. Straight rear lamp panel is another cool design feature from the air-cooled era nine-elevens!

The 997 was the last completely Porsche-designed 911 and Volkswagen bought Porsche when the designing of the 991 had started. So, the 991 was a mix product between Porsche and Volkswagen. This meant that in addition to the traditional Porsche option codes, the 991 already had a few Volkswagen build codes. The 992 is the first 911 designed completely under Volkswagen, so all its build and option codes have the Volkswagen format like the Cayenne and the Macan have had from the beginning.

New tech ads weight

The 992 engine has the compulsory particulate filter which adds around 10 kg/22 lb. The injection technology is new – efficiency has been increased by way of an improved injection process and a new layout for the turbochargers and charge air cooling system.

The PDK multi-clutch automatic transmission has 8 speeds. The first gear has a shorter gear ratio than before, which better matches lower gears to the turbocharged engines. The 8-speed PDK is 20 kg /44 lb heavier than the previous 7-speed PDK in the 991.

Cars with manual transmission come with rear differential lock and Sport Chrono package with automatic rev-match function. When the driver shifts down, this function automatically opens the throttle to increase the engine speed to match the gearbox speed.

The body is constructed to better safeguard the occupants in the case of an accident and is 12 kg/26 lb heavier despite the full aluminium outer skin. The larger wheels are heavier, too. All in all, the 992 with the PDK is approximately 55 kg/110 lb heavier than its predecessor.

The new cabriolet roof hydraulics reduce opening time to around 12 seconds and the new engine mounting position makes the cabriolet torsionally more rigid than its predecessor. This allows – for the first time – to offer PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management sport chassis for the 911 Cabriolet. The PASM package lowers the car by 10 mm, the springs are harder, the front and rear anti-roll-bars more rigid.

The standard moving rear spoiler is wider than before. It is nicest when flush with the body and not so nice when erected (still, nicer than the 991 Carrera rear spoiler in its upper position).

A new feature is the Wet Mode. As rain sensor would not provide adequate information (the road is still wet after the rain), there are sensors in the wheel arch which detect how wet the road is. Wet road has been a rather big problem for the 911 since the 993 Turbo came with the very wide rear tyres which made the car aquaplane rather easily. Although aquaplaning cannot be minimized, the driver is now better informed.

The new optional Smartlift function allows the front end to be lifted automatically. The system saves the GPS coordinates of the current position at the push of the button and if the driver approaches this position from the same direction again, the front of the car will lift up automatically by around 1.6″/40 mm.

The interior is completely new, but classic from the first glance. The gear selector is very small and only acts to select forward or backward driving direction. The instrument cluster is similar to the latest Panamera – the central tachometer gauge is accompanied with digital screens on the left and right. The touchscreen now has a diameter of 10.9″. The car is permanently connected (while the GSM network is available) and the online navigation system is based on swarm intelligence. The new optional lightweight laminated noise-insulating glazing offers a weight advantage of around 4 kg/9 lb.

The Night Vision Assist with a thermal imaging camera is optionally available for the first time for the 911. At a distance of up to 300 metres, a thermal camera detects people and wild animals in the size of a deer or larger. The system is able to classify the relevant thermal source with the help of the camera and to distinguish an animal from a parked motorcycle with a warm engine, for example. The system highlights identified persons or large animals in yellow and displays them on the colour screen of the instrument cluster. If the system identifies a potential hazard based on the movement and position of the detected person or animal, the warning in the instrument cluster turns red and an audible warning tone sounds. In combination with the LED Matrix headlights, the detected person is also illuminated briefly three times.

Porsche 911 992 Turbo

Official photos: 2020 March 3 / Premiere: 2020, but no mass public event because of coronavirus pandemic / Market launch: 2020

The 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo is a brand new old-school car, a beautiful sight into the spirited past. In the past people were not yet thinking about saving their home planet, but from 2020 European Union has set the maximum average allowed carbon emission level at 95 g/km (9.5 kg/100 km) for new cars. The 911 Turbo has always beaten rivals with significantly better fuel mileage economy, but with more than 250 g CO2/km (25 kg/100 km), the 992 Turbo is still more than 2.5 times more polluting than EU expects from a brand new car launched in 2020. If there weren’t the Panamera and the Cayenne hybrids and especially the fully electric Taycan balancing out the carbon emissions of the Porsche sportscars, the fine for every new 992 Turbo sold in EU would be more than 15.000 euros.

Fastest launching 911 ever

Compared to the most powerful 911, the 991 GT2 RS, the 992 Turbo S has 37 kW less, but thanks to 4-wheel-drive the car is 0.1 seconds faster in the sprint. It is the fastest launching 911 ever built! The acceleration of the 992 Turbo S is absolutely insane. A few full-power launches from standstill and the car literally makes the passenger feel sick – you have to be an astronaut to stand the rocket ship G-forces!

Lightweight Design pack

The Lightweight Design package for the Coupé with the bucket seats, the omission of the rear seats and less insulation reduces the vehicle’s weight by around 30 kg/66 lb.

Porsche 911 992 clay model — Interior design studio© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 bodyshell construction — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 front part of the body construction — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera body in white — © Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) rear spoiler erected — Prototype at the Porsche R&D test track in Weissach© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) — The 992 shows the best 911 design in 20 years, everything looks natural to the 911, there’s no questionable quirks© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) front lid — Back to the roots: the front lid’s “trademark” groove was there for the first 35 years (1963-1998) and is back with the 992!© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation), prototype, rear lamp panel with camouflage — The left and right edges of the rear lamps and the rear lamp middle panel with PORSCHE-script is covered with black tape on this prototype© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) convoy of prototypes — A convoy of prototypes© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) water test — Testing in Weissach© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) prototype, sliding on snow test course — Having fun during winter tests© Porsche

Porsche 911, model year 2019 (992-generation) prototype — The wheel arch design is really a “Wow!” Just maybe except that sharp contour on the edge (the 993 had fully smooth wheel arch edges and they were perfect).© Porsche

The 992 generation 911 was launched at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles in Carson on November 27, 2018.

Porsche 911 992 premiere at Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles in Carson — 2018 November 27, only Carrera 4S coupés were shown at the 992 launch event© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 premiere at Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles in Carson, Mark Webber, Michael Mauer — © Porsche

Michael Mauer at Porsche 911 992 premiere at Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles in Carson — Michael Mauer, head of Style Porsche, Porsche AG’s inhouse design department (not to be confused with Porsche Design company in Austria)© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 rear wheel 21 — These wheels look perfect. They are now 21″ at the back, like previously with the 991 GT3 RS and GT2 RS.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera 4S rear end — Bumperettes, although tiny, are unique to the American version. Large oval exhaust pipe ends come with the optional sports exhaust system.© Porsche

2019 Porsche 911 992 Carrera Cabriolet — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera SportDesign front spoiler — SportDesign front spoiler (option 2D4) can be ordered separately or in a set (2D1) together with the rear SportDesign bumper© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 adaptive cruise control — Adaptive Cruise Control sensor. The ACC comes with automatic stop-and-go function, meaning the car is able to brake to standstill and to start moving again without intervention.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 standard headlamp — Standard LED headlamp© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 LED headlamp vs LED Matrix headlamp — LED headlight vs LED Matrix headlight© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet in Lizard Green — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) front wheel arch — The front fenders are significantly wider© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 PCCB and Carrera Classic wheel — 992 Carrera Classic wheels and PCCB ceramic brake. While yellow calipers are standard for PCCB, the calipers can be ordered also in black.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 exterior mirror with courtesy lamp — Optional courtesy lamps under the mirrors© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 window trims - black and aluminium — Black window trim vs aluminium window trim© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 door handle — Electric door handles extend outward when needed© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera S/4S coupe side view — Although the wheelbase of the 992 seems to be shorter than on the 991, they both have 96.5″/2450 mm wheelbase

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet in Miami Blue — Miami Blue© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 side skirts - standard and SportDesign — Black plastic standard side skirts vs SportDesign side skirts painted in car color© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 wheels — 20/21″ wheel sets: 1) Carrera S/4S, 2) RS Design, 3) Carrera Classic, 4) Carrera Exclusive Design© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Carrera base version (black brake callipers) — Base version Carrera: 330 mm brake discs front and rear, black brake callipers, front wheels 19″, rear wheels 20″© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet, top down, side view — © Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet top operation — © Porsche, crop & compile by Stuttcars.com

White 2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet white red canvas top — © Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Cabriolet red canvas top — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model), silver — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 sports exhaust tailpipes - black and steel — Sports exhaust system tailpipes: black vs steel© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera SportDesign rear spoiler — SportDesign rear bumper (note the location of the license plate)© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Carrera base version exhaust ends — Enormous exhaust ends of the base version Carrera give the feeling of the top of the line 911 Turbo© Porsche

2020 Porsche 911 992 Targa, top view — The Targa roof can be opened and closed in 19 seconds© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera S with privacy glass — Carrera Classic wheels, privacy glass, parking sensors, standard exhaust pipes (S/4S)© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera S with standard exhaust system — Carrera S/4S standard wheels© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 rear lamp close-up — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 third braking lamp — Third braking lamp© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera S rear spoiler — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera S engine ventilation fans — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) Carrera rear spoiler up — Variable position rear spoiler© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 roof variants: sunroof, glass sunroof, carbon — Sunroof vs glass sunroof vs carbon roof© Porsche

2019 Porsche 911 992 Carrera Cabriolet, top closed and top open — Cabriolet© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) Carrera 4S rear view — The ribs on the engine cover are silver on 4WD models and black on rear-wheel-drive models© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) rear lamp — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) third braking lamp — The third brake light is a design masterpiece© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) rear lamp panel — The elegant light bar is now a feature on all the Porsche models, not depending on the version© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) rear view — © Porsche

2019 Porsche 911 992 Carrera, rear spoiler up in Wet Mode — Wet Mode activated means the rear spoiler is up all the time for more downforce© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Carrera base version Cabriolet with sports exhaust — Carrera Cabriolet in nice color combination© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 rear panel '911 — Model name deleted vs model name replaced with only ‘911’

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) rear lettering — The 911 and Carrera scripts have new typeface© Porsche

2019/2020 Porsche 911 992 Carrera base version with golden wheels and sports exhaust — Coupé is the lightest© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) Carrera 4S rear lamp panel and lettering — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) dark blue metallic — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) rear 21 — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) side view, dark blue metallic — 21″ wheels at the back, 20″ at front© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Targa roof in action — Targa roof in action© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera top view, lamps on in the dark — © Porsche

Silver Porsche 911 992 (2020 model), side view, — © Porsche

Silver Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) front corner view — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) front spoiler — Like on the 991.2, the 992 has active cooling flaps in the front spoiler – when the flaps are open, better cooling is provided and when they are closed, better aerodynamics are created resulting in less CO2 created.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) LED Matrix System headlamps — 84 pixel LED Matrix beam headlamps are an option. Matrix headlamps come with: 1) camera-based detection of vehicles ahead and oncoming traffic, and intelligent dimming of individual segments of the permanent main-beam cone, 2) segment-specific dimming of reflective traffic signs to avoid driver dazzle, 3) to optimize target fixation, not only are the lights selectively dimmed to fade out oncoming vehicles, the area to the right of the light void is lit more brightly for better guidance of the driver’s visual attention. Matrix lamps include the otherwise optional PDLS+ Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (electronically controlled cornering lights, navigation-data-based Intersection Assistant for improved illumination of surroundings at junctions, 4-spot lighting design, matrix headlights with camera-based calibration function to ensure optimal road illumination)© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) exterior mirror housing — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 (2020 model) front corner view — Everything is perfect© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 LED Matrix headlamp — LED Matrix© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 front lid design — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 door sill guards - aluminium and carbon — Optional illuminated door sill guards: dark finish aluminium vs carbon© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 steering wheel — Only the tachometer is a physical instrument, other instruments are displayed on the screens© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Wet Mode — Any help comes handy to avoid aquaplaning

Porsche 911 992 paddle shift steering wheel — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera steering wheels - standard and GT — Standard steering wheel vs very similar GT steering wheel© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 centre console buttons — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 centre console — Cabriolet buttons© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 cup holder, ashtray, seat ventilation and heating buttons — Optional ashtray in cup holder, optional seat ventilation and heating buttons© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 navigation touchscreen — © Porsche

2019 Porsche 911 992 Carrera Cabriolet interior — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 manual transmission — The 7th speed in the manual transmission is for reducing CO2 emission, not for top speed© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 dashboard, instruments — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 dashboard buttons — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 centre console and drive selector — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 interior, lights out — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 interior, brown — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Carrera cutaway drawing — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992.1 Carrera S/4S engine — Carrera S/4S engine. The completely redesigned and expanded intercoolers help to optimise power output and are now positioned directly above the engine and therefore centrally under the rear engine cover, which significantly improves the air intake and exhaust. The air filter, which in the 991.2 was fitted in this exact position, had to be split into two and installed sideways into the rear fenders.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992.1 Carrera S/4S turbocharger — New turbochargers of Carrera S/4S provide 1.2 bar/17 PSI maximum boost. Inlet valve lifts are configured to be different on each cylinder.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992.1 Carrera S/4S exhaust system with GPF Gasoline Particulate Filter — Exhaust system with gasoline particulate filters (GPF). The ceramic filters help to burn the gasoline particulates.© Porsche

Porsche 911 992.1 Carrera 8-speed PDK transmission — With the 8-speed PDK the top speed is still reached in 6th gear like with the earlier 7-speed PDK© Porsche

Porsche transport to China by rail (911 992 Carrera and other Porsches) — Chinese customers who want to shorten their new car delivery time by 3 weeks, can order a rail container transport instead of the 50-day ship voyage© Porsche

Heritage Design Edition

Porsche Exclusive created the Heritage Design Edition based on the Targa 4S.

Porsche 911 992 Targa Heritage Design Edition, hood badge — The connection between the past and the present is emphasised by the 1963 style Porsche crest on the bonnet, wheel centres, steering wheel and vehicle key© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Targa Heritage Design Edition badge — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Targa Heritage Design Edition dashboard — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Targa Heritage Design Edition, limited edition plaque — Up to 992 cars are made, the amount depends on customer interest© Porsche

Boris Apenbrink, head of Porsche Exclusive© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S — The air flaps in the front spoiler are electronically controlled© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S Cabriolet — As can be seen, the front axle lift system has been deployed© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 LED Matrix headlamps in Black design — LED Matrix headlamp in Black design© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo front end — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 door lettering — Optional door lettering in black, red, golden or silver© Porsche

20/21-inch Porsche 992 wheels — 20/21-inch wheels: 1) Turbo S, 2) Turbo Exclusive Design, 3) Turbo S Exclusive Design© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S wheel and PCCB ceramic brake — Carbon ceramic brake discs with their usual cracks© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S rear wing up and down — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S rear spoiler — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S rear view — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S rear view in the dark — Nice…© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo, rear view — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo rear spoiler, rear lamps — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S Cabriolet with exclusive interior — Exclusive interior© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S top view — Compared to the 991 Turbo, the 992 Turbo is 0.8″/20 mm wider at rear and 1.8″/45 mm wider at front© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S Cabriolet cockpit, steering wheel, dashboard — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S steering wheel — © Porsche

Rev counter ring in White, Red, Yellow, Green — Rev counter ring in White (option 7V3), Red (8PA), Yellow (8PC) and Green (8PB)© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S centre console — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 navigation screen — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo interior — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S red interior — © Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S door panel — Retro-look doorpanels© Porsche

Porsche 911 992 Turbo S Cabriolet red interior — Retro-look seats© Porsche

Onboard literature folder in carbon (option AGB)

The 911 Hybrid is coming, but later

EU demands the CO2 levels to be decreased to under 95 grams per kilometre over the fleet of new cars by the end of 2020 (with even much lower targets for 2025 and 2030). This means Porsche not only has to offer fully electric vehicles, but has to hybridize the 911 aswell. Remember, 911 hybrid racing cars were made already in 2010 and 2011.

Examples of Porsche CO2 values

CO2 emission	Peak power	Weight
0 g/km 2019 Taycan Turbo S	560 kW	2295 kg/5060 lb
56 g/km 2017 Panamera 4 e-hybrid	340 kW	2170 kg/4784 lb
66 g/km 2017 Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid	500 kW	2310 kg/5093 lb
* 95 g/km 2020 average in EU *
158 g/km 2016 718 PDK	220 kW	1365 kg/3009 lb
169 g/km 2016 911 991 Carrera PDK	272 kW	1450 kg/3197 lb
212 g/km 2016 911 991 Turbo S	427 kW	1600 kg/3527 lb
215 g/km 2019 911 992 Carrera PDK	283 kW	1505 kg/3318 lb
296 g/km 2016 911 991 GT3 RS	368 kW	1420 kg/3130 lb

The downside in hybridizing a sports car is that it will gain weight. The weight increase on the hybrid versions of the Panamera and the Cayenne was 15-18% for the plug-in (e-hybrid) versions, but don’t expect that much on the sports cars. As the Panamera and Cayenne hybrids are comfortably under the EU CO2 emission requirements, the 911 hybrid doesn’t have to strive that much – the fleet average is the target. The 911 hybrids can be well over 100 g/km cars, which means they don’t have to carry much batteries.

Going over the 95 g/km (9.5 kg/100 km) CO2 emissions in fleet average in 2021 translates to the penalty of 95 EUR per every gram over the limit per every car sold in Europe. For example, every 992 Carrera (215 g/km) would be liable for 11.400 EUR penalty if not balanced out by electric and hybrid cars. It is not probably the amount of penalty that would take the customers away from the high CO2 cars in the future, but it is that nobody wants to be a bad person.

All the 4-door Porsches will become electric and hybrid, versions with just an internal combustion engine (ICE) will disappear for them. In Europe, which is behind the CO2 regulations, Porsche’s sales divide into 55% for 4-door and 45% for 2-door cars. Roughly speaking, if half of the cars (4-door) will be under CO2 limits, then the second half (2-door cars) can keep on polluting. This means some 2-door ICE Porsches can remain for time being.

As Europe only makes 20% of Porsche sales, the EU environmental rules will not affect all the models sold in USA, China and other markets. The 4-cylinder 911, the 912, might also make its comeback after more than 40 years.

The ones who have driven Taycan or Tesla Model S, know, that electric acceleration makes you smile as much as you have used to in your 911 when flooring it. The acceleration feeling is like in a 911 Turbo. If you don’t agree, it means you haven’t floored a powerful electric car. The 992 Hybrid (and the 992.2 Electric?) will naturally be heavier compared to the 992 GT, but 991 Targas and Turbos have shown that heavy weight hasn’t decreased the sales. With Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid Porsche showed that the extra weight will be balanced out with extra power (500 kW in the case of Panamera Turbo S e-hybrid). If you are not going to the race track – which most of the Porsche owners don’t – you never focus on the weight of the car. And for going to the track there will always be a dedicated 911.