Porsche 911 Carrera 2012

Consumer Guide's Impressions of the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera

It won't look very different, but the next generation of the iconic rear-engine sports car will be leaner, meaner, cleaner, easier on gas, and even more agile. Inevitably, the new 911s will cost more too.

What We Know About the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera

Porsche's next-generation 911 Carrera is already road-testing, even though it's not expected in Europe until late 2011 and in America until early 2012. Why the apparent rush? As far as we can tell, Porsche wants to be ready for the much tougher CO2 emissions limits that start ramping up in 2011 for the all-important German home market and other EU countries. And, of course, it never hurts to have something new to talk about.

Before we talk about it, though, a little scene-setting is in order. The current 911 line, new to the U.S. for 2005 and also known as the 997 series, got a number of 2009 updates for the rear-drive Carrera and all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 coupes, glass-roof Targa coupes, and Cabriolet convertibles. Among them: Redesigned "flat-6" engines with direct fuel injection and more power, Porsche's new 7-speed PDK automated manual transmission to replace a conventional automatic option, LED taillights and running lamps, and a revised interior with improved ergonomics and a larger navigation touchscreen. A similarly updated high-performance 911 GT3 is reaching dealers in spring 2009. Remaining 997 variants, the hot GT2 and Turbo, will follow suit for 2010.

The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera is codenamed 991, signifying another full redesign for the iconic rear-engine sports car. But typical of Porsche, it will be hard to spot without a 997 parked nearby. Buyers expect classic 911 styling, and Porsche isn't about to risk sales by fiddling with it much. Nevertheless, reports from Britain's CAR magazine and Germany's Auto Bild indicate the 991 will have slightly altered proportions from the 997's, as wheelbase is said to be stretched nearly 4 inches while overall length is little changed. These sources also expect wider axle tracks, so the new 911 will be broader of beam, front and rear. Adding to the huskier look is a new three-element front fascia with a larger center grille.

More engine changes also mark the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera. Anchoring a revised lineup is a base S-model packing a downsized 3.4-liter version of the evergreen horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder powerplant. Despite less displacement, the 3.4 reportedly makes 350 horsepower, up five from the current base Carrera's 3.6-liter unit. Next comes a new Carrera RS, replacing today's S-model. It uses the same 3.8-liter engine, but with 15 horses added from 2009 tune to make a nice, round 400. Torque outputs slide a bit, down by eight lb-ft to 280 for the 3.4 and by 15 lb-ft to 295 for the 3.8. Even so, a substantial weight drop--at least 130 pounds by our reckoning--should yield slightly better acceleration times, plus better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions. While it's still way too early for precise numbers, sources hint RS models will scale 0-60 mph in about four seconds. Transmissions will again comprise a standard 6-speed manual and the optional PDK (the initials reference a German term for "double-clutch gearbox.")

The predicted mass reduction for the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera stems from more-extensive use of carbon-fiber, plastic composites, and other lightweight materials, a result of lessons learned with the late mid-engine V10 Carrera GT supercar. How much of this stuff will be used, and where, remains to be seen, however.