Porsche confirmed long-standing rumors about the future of the 911 with the announcement Sunday that the 2017 Carrera and Carrera S will feature three-liter, turbocharged flat-six engines.
The engines will boast 370 and 420 horsepower, respectively–20-horsepower increases over the outgoing, naturally aspirated flat-six. Factory “Powerkit” add-ons are expected to boost that number as high as 450 horsepower, for a price.
Porsche claims the new 3.0 will offer as much as 12% improved fuel economy compared to the old flat-six, but EPA figures are not yet available and that number is configuration-dependent.
The refreshed, “991.2″ model will offer exterior, interior and suspension upgrades as well.
Outside
The new 911 gets a handful of exterior cosmetic upgrades to mark its overhaul. Up front, the most obvious change is the headlights, which include “four-point” DRLs. In the profile, you’ll find integrated door handle recesses. Out back, there’s an all-new rear deck with vertical louvers and revised rear lighting.
Inside
The biggest interior revision in the 2017 911 is the infotainment package. The larger screen offers expanded tech and new connectivity options, including online navigation services and a multi-touch screen.
Under the metal
Porsche’s revisions to the mechanical bits of the new Carrera go beyond the powertrain overhaul. The static ride height is now 10mm lower on both models (thanks to the addition of a revised PASM as a standard feature), and rear-wheel steering is now available on the Carrera S.
In addition, the rear wheels are now half an inch wider on all models. Carrera S variants get a slightly wider rear tire to match–305mm vs. 295 on the old car.
What’s next
The 2017 911 Carrera and Carrera S will be available starting in March, 2016. Stay tuned for more details when the car is formally unveiled at the Frankfurt International Auto Show later this month.
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