Ahead of the next-generation Porsche 911’s hyped debut at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, we’re learning more details about Porsche’s crown jewel model, including some new technology it’s going to carry to go with power increases across the entire range. It’s easy to assume that this could be the game-changing 911 we’ve all been waiting for. The expected changes and upgrades are all significant, and they paint a mouth-watering picture of what we can expect out of the next version of one of the world’s most iconic vehicles.

It does feel like we’re living through 2018 in anticipation of this model. The Porsche 911 is on the short-list of the most important models in the entire industry. So it’s no surprise that as details about the next-generation model surface, we all lose our minds at the thought of the new model’s coming arrival.

The next-generation 911 is coming, and it’s bringing with it a storm of evolutionary styling, new technology, and improved power and performance across its entire range. Everything starts with its hybrid-ready platform, which is reportedly made from aluminum and high-strength steel. The new platform should account for some weight loss, but with the new model growing in size — it’s going to be longer by 2 cm, or around 0.8 inches — and having more luxury and tech, its curb weight should still hit close to the current-generation model.

In the looks department, the next-gen Porsche 911 is set to get more upright headlights and a new LED light signature just above the bumper design, which also happens to be new. The front and rear fenders are also getting their own nips and tucks, and, of course, the 911 is also getting in on the latest design trend that’s taking the industry by storm: full-width taillights!

Inside, the new 911 is getting a bigger and slightly more spacious cabin. More importantly, the analog dashboard is finally getting shelved in favor of digital instrumentation, complete with an all-new touchscreen unit. Welcome to the party, Porsche 911!

As impressive as all of that is shaping up to be, the next-generation 911’s most important update is the one found on the 3.0-liter, flat-six engine. Without diving into the details, Autocar is reporting that the base 911 Carrera will have 390 horsepower on tap, all thanks to tweaks that Porsche made to the engine’s turbocharger geometry. 390 ponies may not sound like much given what upper-tier 911s have, but it still accounts for a 20-horsepower improvement for the entry-level model. In fact, “power increase” is a central theme for the next-gen 911. The Carrera S, for example, also gets an extra 30 horsepower, bringing its total output up to 450 ponies.

Then there’s the range-topper, the Porsche 911 Turbo S. It’s also getting more horses to play with — 20 horsepower, according to the report — resulting in a total output of 600 horsepower. Combine that with improved aerodynamics and an updated all-wheel-drive system, and you have a car that can reportedly sprint from 0 to 62 mph in under 2.9 seconds before peaking at a top speed of over 205 mph. All versions of the new 911 are also tipped to get either a seven-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

But that’s not all. A 500-horsepower hybrid 911 is also in the works for a later release, presumably coming with an 11 kWh battery.

All of this is what awaits us when the new Porsche 911 finally breaks cover at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. I can’t wait.

Further Reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Porsche 911.

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe.

Read more Porsche news.