The 992-generation Porsche 911 is about to go official. We've seen it without camouflage and we know a thing or two about its drivetrain options. It should break cover in just a few months, but Porsche is using this remaining time for extensive testing all over the world.

Putting It To The Test

What's up with Porsche pushing the 911 to its limits? Well, it's not something new. The Germans have been doing it since the '60s. It's only now that they're bragging about it.

In Porsche's own words, the company wants to make sure that every component of the car will function just as reliably as it did at the outset after "shuttling between climate zones with temperature differences of up to 85 degrees Celsius, sprinting across elevation changes spanning more than four kilometers, enduring traffic jams in major cities, and setting new records on the racetracks."

It's taking it to the Middle East and the Death Valley to test it at temperatures up to 50 degrees Celsius and to Finland for temperatures that go as low as minus 35 degrees. These extreme environments provide a solid testing ground for many features. The air conditioning and thermal management systems must work properly, while interior components must not expand or contract when exposed to very high or very low temperatures. Traction, handling, and braking behavior also change depending on temperatures, and Porsche is making sure that the impact is minimal.

Track testing is equally important. And while Porsche is usually using the Nürburgring track, the new 911 ran tests on Italy's high-speed Nardo track and in the Death Valley and Colorado's Mount Evans. Nardo testing provides vital cooling and handling information, while driving from Death Valley to Mount Evans provides elevation changes from 90 meters below sea level to 4.3 km above.

Finally, Porsche's test drivers took the 911 on public roads in cities and cross-country throughout Germany. While this part is obviously not as exciting, it's important for the sports car to cover large distances in heavy traffic, highway conditions, all while complying with traffic rules. Simply because the 911 must be a reliable daily driver too.

Needless to say, the 992-generation 911 promises to be the best of its kind, and I'm more than excited to see it in the metal and drive it!

Further Reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2019 Porsche 911.

Read our full review on the current 2017 Porsche 911.

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

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