The Porsche 911, an unquestionable automotive icon, has undergone countless transformations over the last six decades of its existence. It went from air-cooled to water-cooled, from naturally aspirated to turbocharged, from rear-wheel-drive to all-wheel-drive. And yet, the 911 has always managed to embrace the change while staying true to its core DNA. But now, Porsche has taken a giant leap into the future with the introduction of a first-ever hybrid 911. Yes, the 911 has gone hybrid.
Porsche purists can rest assured they won’t lose any sleep over the 911 going electric — not for a while. There are no charging cables or plugs, and the company isn’t aiming for fuel efficiency here. This is Porsche, after all, and the goal is simple — maximizing performance while minimizing weight gain. There is no electric-only drive mode, so you likely won’t even know that there’s electricity involved at all. Porsche knows that messing with the 911’s character is a risky move.
Two Electric Motors And One Clever Turbo
The heart of the new T-Hybrid system is a brand-new 3.6-liter engine working in tandem with two electric motors. One motor is hidden in the turbocharger itself, boosting the power and eliminating any turbo lag. The other is more traditional, sitting at the rear of the PDK gearbox and adding extra torque whenever required.
The star of the show is the motor hiding in the turbocharger. It may not offer a massive power boost, but it completely transforms the 911’s character. Porsche promises instant torque even at low engine speeds, and the new Carrera GTS is a testament to this. It can outpace the current Turbo S in the first 2.5 seconds from a standstill – the kind of performance that makes the tires scream while your heart forgets how to beat.
The hybrid system relies on a relatively small 1.9 kWh lithium-ion battery. Porsche claims that the front-mounted battery only adds 57 pounds to the overall weight compared to the outgoing model, but there’s more to it than the company wants to admit. The new 911, unlike the previous version, comes without the rear seats as standard. They are a no-cost option, but the weight difference jumps to 165 pounds when you opt for them.
Rear-Axle Steering And Modern Look
The 2025 Carrera GTS comes standard with rear-axle steering, another reason the new model is a tad heavier. But the penalty in weight is quickly offset by the car’s improved agility and handling, promising to be even more fun when thrown around the corners. The Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control is now electro-hydraulically controlled, courtesy of the 400V hybrid powertrain. Put the two together, and the new 911 should redefine the meaning of driving fun.
Visually, the 992.2 generation of the 911 introduces subtle yet significant changes. The 10 active aero vanes in the front bumper jump out as the most apparent difference, making the car look aggressive and improving aerodynamics at the same time. New headlights, with their four-spot light signature, bring the 911 more in line with the rest of the Porsche lineup. The purist will be disappointed by the missing analog rev counter, replaced by a new digital version, but the integrated Apple CarPlay can help to smooth away any initial upsets.
While the rest of the cabin is business as usual, the lack of manual transmission will have people wondering if the new 911 is the real deal. Unfortunately, the setup with two electric motors wouldn’t work with the manual gearbox as well as it can with the PDK. Porsche quickly assures us that the manual gearboxes are here to stay, though, and future models will have that option.
Carrera GTS Is The First Ever Hybrid Porsche
The 2025 Porsche Carrera GTS is the torchbearer for the new hybrid technology. The 532-horsepower powertrain delivers 449 pound-feet of torque, making this version the most powerful Carrera GTS to date. The combined power and torque figures translate to a blistering 0-60 mph sprint of 2.9 seconds — yet another first for any Carrera 911.
You may wonder why Porsche would bother with a hybrid system. After all, the current bi-turbo engine is perfectly capable, and the new T-Hybrid doesn’t improve fuel efficiency enough to be noted by the eco-conscious world. The truth is, Porsche is looking at the long game here. The future where the 911 has to adhere to strict emissions regulations is coming, and the T-Hybrid is a stepping stone toward the electrified future.
The 2025 Carrera GTS will cost $166,895, a significant increase over the previous models. The standard Carrera will start at a slightly more palatable $122,095, and Porsche justifies the price difference with the added performance and standard equipment. You can expect to see the facelifted 992.2 versions at the dealerships this fall, with the Carrera GTS showing up in time for Christmas.
Hybrid 911 might not be for everyone, and Porsche knows it. It’s a bold step forward for the company. It shows that even the most iconic cars can evolve and embrace new technologies without sacrificing their core identity. Some existing 911 owners will look away, but there is a new generation ready and waiting to step in.