Porsche 911 (2023). The restyled sportswoman prepares in the cold

The future Porsche 911 type 992.2 is surprised.

The restyled Porsche 911 was seen in the Far North, in the middle of a development test session. Several variants are tested there, including the first hybrid version of the model recently made official by the manufacturer.

Partially camouflaged Porsche 911 prototypes are currently circling in northern Scandinavia, a stone’s throw from the Arctic Circle, to be subjected to extremely low temperatures and low-grip surfaces. This confirms, if need be, that the manufacturer from Zuffenhausen is preparing the restyling of its eighth generation GT for 2023. For its four years in the catalog, the sports car will only receive minor aesthetic changes. The surprise will be elsewhere.

Porsche 911 spyshot headlights — The restyling of the 911 promises to be very discreet.

Discreet evolution

The “stolen” photos of the restyled 911 reveal a slightly revised front bumper with temporary additional lights used for development. Its front air intakes could have been enlarged. Behind them are new vertical shutters that we guess are mobile. The central part of the bow houses the radars and cameras dedicated to driving aids. At the rear, there is a new positioning of the two rounded exhaust outlets, refocused and placed under the license plate; they are therefore closer to each other than on the current Carrera and Turbo, but less than on the GT3. This layout may evoke the Cayenne Turbo GT just marketed. This new layout of the exhaust could indicate an evolution of the mechanics, but this remains to be confirmed. The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six, which currently offers 385 hp from the base, could gain a little power. Porsche will rely on this update to maintain the attractiveness of the 911 against the all-new Mercedes-AMG SL.

Porsche 911 spyshot rear bumper — At the rear, we could have close exhausts…

Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT exhaust — … evoking those of the Cayenne Turbo GT, among others.

The first hybrid 911 is on the way

With the restyling of its icon, or a few months later, Porsche will launch the first production hybrid 911. Prototypes of the coupe sporting a sticker indicating their electrified nature have been spotted on the tracks. Oliver Blume, CEO of the manufacturer, recently confirmed the imminent arrival of such a variant. He indicated that this would not be a plug-in hybrid designed to emit the least CO₂ possible but a muscular version “boosted” by an energy recovery system high performance. For more details, we will have to wait a little longer. See you next year.