2020 Porsche 911 Carrera

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• Better than ever at sprinting, cornering and stopping
• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-6 rolls out 443 horsepower
• All-new, whisper-quiet premium-luxury interior
• Prices start at $114,250 (including destination charges)
• Stay tuned for a hybrid version

 
Porsche introduced its new 2020 911 Carrera S at the 2018 Los Angeles auto show. As predicted, the highly anticipated 8th-generation sports car didn’t depart far from the iconic shape that has defined the rear-engine vehicle since its introduction in 1963 — hardly a passerby will mistake the new coupe for anything but a 911.

Notwithstanding its familiar appearance, the 2020 911 is very different than its predecessor. The new coupe arrives with aluminum-intensive construction, an enhanced powertrain, new innovative technology, and more luxury appointments than any previous 911 in history. Consumer demands are changing, and Porsche realized that it had to evolve to keep its best-selling sports car at the top of the competitive segment.

Is the 2020 Porsche 911 an all-new model?

Despite carrying a new “Type 992” internal designation, it is not an all-new model. Instead, the 2020 Porsche 911 is a heavily reworked – and extensively updated – version of the automaker’s “Type 991” platform that was first introduced in 2011. In a significant departure from the past, Porsche has dropped the “narrow body” variant and will only offer the 2020 model with the wider platform – previously reserved for the all-wheel drive models. The additional room will allow the platform to accommodate future hybrid technology.

While the basic platform is carried forward, rigidity has been improved with additional structural bracing and Porsche has focused on reducing mass – nearly every exterior body panel, except for the front and rear fascias, are now constructed from lightweight aluminum alloy. Other physical improvements include enhanced aerodynamics in the form of a larger active rear wing, and engineers have transitioned to a staggered wheel size — for the first time in the 911’s history — to further refine handling.

• In terms of appearance, Porsche has completely redesigned the 911’s front and rear fascias, the sculpted bodywork has a few more subtle creases, and the door handles are now electric — they automatically retract near-flush with the door panels when locked. The overall greenhouse, and side windows, are virtually identical to the outgoing model.
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