The next-generation Porsche 911 is shaping up to be a groundbreaking model in many ways. There are reports that it will be the last version of the 911 to sit on its own platform as succeeding generations will start using Volkswagen's SAZ architecture which will be shared with other performance models, including the Cayman and Boxster 718 twins. Now, there’s a new report from Auto Express that says that the next-gen 911 will be the first 911 model to be offered as a plug-in hybrid model. Should that be the case, the next-gen sports car is going to have a lot of history on its side.

Before we start salivating at the thought of a plug-in hybrid 911, it’s important to put the brakes on the excitement. Porsche 911 engineering chief Dr. Erhard Mossle confirmed to Auto Express that Porsche is having discussions regarding plug-in solutions for the 911. But those discussions haven’t amounted to any concrete plans at the moment. According to Mossle, “there are a lot of things to solve with packaging” before the plug-in hybrid 911 turns into reality.

Mossle’s comments aren’t different from others we’ve heard regarding a plug-in hybrid 911. No less than Porsche CEO Oliver Blume made similar assertions in a conversation with Auto Express back in November 2017. “We have (a) combustion engine, then plug-ins as intermediaries, then full EV later on,” Blume said, referring to the 911’s powertrain roadmap for the future.

For now, Porsche’s focus remains on developing the next-generation 911. That includes ensuring that the sports car retains its all-world power and performance capabilities while also adhering to increasingly stringent emissions regulations all over the world. “As far as I can see we will stick with six-cylinder engines because we have a good positioning with 911 and six cylinder, and 718 (Boxster and Cayman) with four cylinders,” he said. “Even the six-cylinder engines have a lot of potential to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions.”

When the time comes to develop the plug-in hybrid version of the 911, don’t expect Porsche to compromise its own values. According to Mossle, the plug-in hybrid model will still be all about performance. Nothing has been confirmed on that front, but there are rumors that Porsche will use a 3.0-liter flat-six engine, an electric motor, and a 10.8 kWh battery to serve as the beating heart of the sports car. The motor is said to have 94 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque at its disposal. Those numbers would help the whole system generate an output of 485 horsepower and 561 pound-feet of torque. A special “e-transmission with eight gears, freewheel, and recuperation” is also said to be in play. All told the plug-in hybrid 911 will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 197 mph.

Take those numbers with a grain of salt for the time being, but with a lot of signs pointing to the introduction of a plug-in hybrid Porsche 911 in the next few years, it’s hard not to get a little excited about the possibilities that lay ahead for the next-generation 911.

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Porsche 911

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