Porsche has been building the 911 on the same recipe for more than 50 years now. But even though it retains the layout and the design (for the most part) of the original car, the 911 changes in many ways. Most notably, it's heavier and more complex. While more technology makes it a better car for the majority, something that the 911 should return to its original simplicity. And Frank-Steffen Walliser, the man behind both the 911 and the 718, is among them and thinks that the 992-gen 911 should have been smaller.

Speaking to the Australian media at the debut of the 992-generation 911 Targa, Walliser said that he wished the 992 was smaller. "Maybe I would do it a little more sporty than the 992 in general, but I have no complaints of this model," he added.

Will the Porsche 911 go smaller in the future?

The iconic 911 won't go small anytime soon. The 992, for instance, is 1.1 inches longer and 1.7 inches wider than the previous 991 version. At the same time, the base Carrera model is some 100 pounds heavier than its predecessor. Needless to say, the 992 is only marginally bigger, but it contributes to widening the gap between the modern 911 and the original car from the 1960s.

The wheelbase of the 992-gen 911 is also almost 10 inches longer than the original 911. Curb weight is a more serious issue, though. While the first 911 tipped the scales at around 2,400 pounds, the lightest version of the 992 911 comes in at 3,263. That's an extra 863 pounds, which converts into a 36-percent weight increase.

If anything, the 911 will become even heavier now that Porsche is considering hybrid models.

Is a new model between the 911 and 718 the solution?

But this scenario doesn't make much sense since the 718 isn't notably smaller than the 911. The current 911 is only 7.5 inches longer and only two inches wider than the 718, so offering a 911-like car that's just a few inches smaller would only generate confusion. That said, Porsche will probably continue to offer limited-edition versions of the 911 aimed at purists that want a lighter, no-nonsense model with less technology and features, with manual transmissions, and lightweight components borrowed from the world of racing.