Porsche is considering an electrified variant of the iconic 911, which isn’t all that surprising, considering Volkswagen Group wants a battery-enhanced version of every model it builds. But changing the 911 is tantamount to sacrilege among some circles and is likely to receive some mixed responses.
That said, it’s not as if the model remained unchanged since 1963. Porsche has implemented loads of electronic aids over the last decade and even chucked in a turbocharger. Besides, Ruf Automobile already built an all-electric 911 — which it called the eRuf Model A — way back in 2008. The foundation has been set. But we’re not convinced Porsche will walk that path.
Much more likely is that the company will use electric motors to supplement a semi-traditional internal combustion unit, or perhaps utilize a 48-volt mild hybrid system.
However, according to Bloomberg, the manufacturer wants to keep all options on the table regarding engine specifications. So it is possible that Porsche could make the 911 a plug-in hybrid.
Inside sources claim a performance hybrid could be introduced a few years into the life cycle of the 911’s next generation, which is set to be unveiled sometime next year. But Porsche engineers are allegedly still working to how to reduce battery weight in order to offer an electric driving range of about 40 miles (and not accidentally turn the car into an overweight pig).
Either way, the next-gen model is supposedly being designed to facilitate a battery pack and electric motors, and no amount of outrage is likely to change that.
This article first appeared on thetruthaboutcars.com
The post Smart, or Sacrilege? Porsche Considering Production of an Electrified 911 appeared first on VWVortex.
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