Tag Archives: 911

NEW CARS

Porsche 911 Turbo S Goes Hybrid: A New Era for the 992.2

More than a year after Porsche launched the first wave of its 992.2-generation 911 models, the story of its iconic rear-engined sports car is far from over. The refreshed Carrera, Targa, GTS, and GT3 have already made their public debuts—but the next chapter is about to begin. During Porsche’s half-year earnings call, CEO Oliver Blume confirmed that the 911 Turbo S will be unveiled later this year, and yes, it’s going hybrid.

The shift to electrification has been hinted at for a while. Back in October 2024, then-CFO Lutz Meschke spilled the beans: the 992.2 Turbo S would feature a hybrid powertrain. Now, with Blume reiterating the news, it’s official. The new Turbo S will debut Porsche’s first hybridized 911 Turbo, powered in part by technology from V4Smart—the rebranded V4Drive GmbH—following Porsche’s acquisition of the company from the Varta AG Group.

This isn’t just a branding exercise. The 992.2 GTS already uses cylindrical V4Smart cells in its T-Hybrid system, and the upcoming Turbo S is expected to utilize a similar setup. The GTS features a modest 1.9-kWh battery pack, assembled in Ellwangen and Nördlingen, where Porsche plans to grow its EV-related workforce to 375 employees by year’s end. That expansion signals bigger ambitions—both literally and figuratively—for hybrid power in Porsche’s flagship lineup.

What remains under wraps are the exact specs, but we can safely assume the new Turbo S will be even quicker than its predecessor. The 992.1 Turbo S already packed a serious punch: 640 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter flat-six. The hybridized version could push those numbers further, although it will likely come with a weight penalty. The GTS gained 103 pounds in U.S. spec due to its hybrid hardware, and the Turbo S may see a similar increase unless Porsche engineers pull off some clever weight-saving tricks.

Performance, of course, remains the brand’s north star. Blume confirmed Porsche is working on “new derivatives” of the 911 and is investing heavily to make them “a bit quicker” than anything in the 992.1 family. That likely includes the long-rumored GT2 RS, which has traditionally capped the 911 range late in its lifecycle. Rumors suggest this ultimate track weapon may also go hybrid—but for now, that remains speculative.

Meanwhile, Porsche’s two-door sports car portfolio is undergoing a major transformation. Production of the mid-engine 718 Cayman and Boxster will end in October, making way for their electric successors. Interestingly, Porsche has reversed its rollout schedule: the electric Cayenne will debut first, hitting showrooms in 2026, with the 718 EVs to follow.

This shift marks the end of an era. Unlike the Macan, which is getting a gas-powered next-gen model in 2028, there’s no indication that internal combustion will return to the Boxster and Cayman lineup. The move to electric-only sports cars is a bold one, especially considering that engine character—even in the four-cylinder era—has been central to the 718’s charm. With electrification, the manual gearbox will also disappear, a sobering thought for purists.

Still, Porsche seems committed to balancing performance with progress. As the 911 Turbo S prepares to enter the hybrid age, it signals a pivotal moment—not just for Porsche, but for the entire sports car world.

Source: Porsche

Auctions

Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity

Three-time Grammy Award winner Dua Lipa may be conquering the global music stage with her Radical Optimism world tour, but her passion isn’t confined to soundtracks and stadiums. Like many automotive enthusiasts, she’s been indulging in the digital thrill of supercar configurators — and now, that virtual hobby has translated into a very real, very special car.

Meet the Rennstall Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Dua Lipa’s custom-built dream machine, heading to auction via RM Sotheby’s. “Rennstall,” which means “racing team” in German, might sound like a prelude to a motorsport debut, but Lipa isn’t gearing up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans — at least, not yet. Instead, this striking, track-focused Porsche is destined for the auction block, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting her Sunny Hill Foundation, which supports youth, art, and culture in her native Kosovo.

Unveiled at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, the car reflects Lipa’s signature boldness and flair. RM Sotheby’s describes the car’s vivid, retro-themed colorway as “a perfect reflection of the liveliness that characterizes Dua Lipa’s stage design and performances.” And they’re not wrong. With a bespoke configuration and meticulous attention to detail, this GT3 RS is as performance-focused as it is artistic.

Underneath the eye-catching exterior lies Porsche’s finest performance tech. The Rennstall GT3 RS is equipped with the Weissach Package, offering extensive weight reduction through carbon-fiber panels and suspension upgrades. It rolls on lightweight magnesium wheels, stops with carbon-ceramic brakes, and features a Guards Red Sport Chrono package, matching the red tachometer and stopwatch inside. It’s a true enthusiast’s car, with every box ticked — and the aesthetic to match.

While not destined for Dua’s personal garage, the car was recently seen in action at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where she rode shotgun with Karen Gaillard of the all-female Iron Dames racing team. The car has covered just over 4,800 kilometers (3,000 miles), and now the question remains: what price will it fetch at auction?

Given its unique spec, celebrity provenance, and charitable cause, it wouldn’t be surprising if this Rennstall GT3 RS becomes one of the most coveted 911s to hit the block in recent memory. For collectors and Porsche purists alike, it represents a rare intersection of performance, personality, and purpose.

Source: RM Sotheby’s

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Dua Lipa’s Custom Porsche 911 GT3 RS Heads to Auction for Charity
NEW CARS

Porsche Prepares the Next-Gen 911 GT3 Cup Car for Global Racing Stage

Porsche is sharpening the claws of its legendary one-make race car with the upcoming debut of the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the freshly updated 992.2-generation 911. Set to be unveiled later this summer, the track weapon will make its competitive debut in the 2026 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and selected Carrera Cup series worldwide.

Since its inception in 1990 with the German Carrera Cup and the Supercup’s debut alongside Formula 1 races in 1993, the 911 Cup program has evolved into a global motorsport powerhouse. Today, over a dozen national and regional Carrera Cups span the globe—from Australia and Japan to Europe and the Americas—making the Cup car one of the most raced and produced competition machines in history. In fact, with 5,381 units built to date, it holds its ground as one of the most prolific race cars ever assembled.

The current 992.1-based 911 GT3 Cup, introduced in 2021, alone has seen over 1,130 examples roll off the line at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen plant, where Cup cars are built right alongside production 911s. It takes just under eight hours to assemble one of these precision instruments.

More Than a Facelift

Development of the new Cup car began in January 2024 at Porsche Motorsport’s Weissach facility, and while it retains the 911’s road car DNA, this is very much a purpose-built racer. Major attention was given to aerodynamic improvements at the front, enhancing both downforce and drivability. Updates also touch on safety, electronics, braking systems, drivetrain components, and of course, its high-revving flat-six boxer engine.

Jan Feldmann, Porsche Motorsport’s Project Manager for GT racing cars, emphasized that the current 911 GT3 Cup was already operating at a high level:

“This has allowed us to focus more on feedback from the global one-make cups and develop a racing car that has been refined in many areas compared to the current Cup 911.”

Built on Sustainability

In a notable nod to Porsche’s broader sustainability ambitions, the new Cup car was developed and tested exclusively using eFuel, the same synthetic racing fuel used in the 2025 Supercup season. The FIA-compliant eFuel blend is made up of 79.7% renewable components, including methanol-to-gasoline (MtG) synthetic raw petrol and waste-based ethanol. The result? A 66% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels—without sacrificing the high-performance edge expected from a Porsche.

With a 100.5 RON octane rating, the new fuel was engineered specifically for the 911’s boxer engine, providing the same punch while aligning with the next era of sustainable motorsport.

Proven by Champions

The test program saw the new car pushed to the limits at Monza, Lausitzring, and Weissach’s in-house circuit by a talented group of Porsche-contracted drivers. That roster included 2023 Supercup champion Bastian Buus, 2024 FIA Endurance Trophy winner Klaus Bachler, IMSA GTD Pro champion Laurin Heinrich, and seasoned veteran Marco Seefried.

With its comprehensive upgrades, global pedigree, and commitment to carbon-neutral racing, the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 Cup is poised to continue its reign as the standard bearer of one-make motorsport.

Source: Porsche