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The Porsche 911 Hybrid is a question of when and not if. This had been confirmed many times by the higher-ups of Zuffenhausen, so it must have happened. Unlike the Panamera and Cayenne E-Hybrid models that you can plug in to recharge the batteries, this upcoming sports car will be a non-PHEV type. Ahead of its official debut, the first production 911 to have an electric motor has been caught carrying additional lights.
Different prototypes discovered by our spies at the Nürburgring (yes, the 2022 test season has started) and in snowy Sweden with a round yellow sticker denoting its electrical properties. The affixed circular LEDs look a bit odd and we wonder if they will be in the final version. Interestingly, the front air intakes have vertical elements behind the horizontal trim section of the bumper.
24 Photo
You’ll also notice that both test vehicles have center-mounted exhaust tips and no vertical blades for engine cooling. Another tidbit that the two have in common is a roll cage that mounts where you’d expect to find the rear seats. In the case of the prototype caught in northern Europe, you’ll also notice lots of cables dangling down the passenger seat.
Since Porsche still has to be about performance even if it’s a hybrid, electric assist will make the 911 faster than saving you money at the fuel pump. Of course, the main reason for the partially electrified powertrain is to follow stricter emissions regulations. The peek from Stuttgart was coy about the details, only saying it would borrow technology from the Le Mans-winning 919 Hybrid endurance racer.
The pure electric 911 isn’t coming any time soon although Porsche projects more than 80 percent of its annual sales by 2030 will be represented by EVs. In fact, the company says it wants its iconic rear-engined engine to be the last car in the automotive scene to lose its petrol engine.
Meanwhile, the smaller 718 Boxster and Cayman will say goodbye to ICE in 2025 when the next-generation sports car will turn into an EV. The same will be the case with the Macan since the EV that debuted in 2023 will be sold alongside the petrol-fueled model for a few years or so until the latter will be discontinued.
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