It was Porsche's CEO, Oliver Blume, in statements to Autocar, who did not rule out the hypothesis: “with the 911, for the next 10 to 15 years, we will still have a combustion engine”. And then? Then only time will tell. It will depend above all on the evolution of battery technology.
Meanwhile, Porsche is already preparing a new generation of its iconic model and some rumors have been circulating about an eventual electric version, quite possibly a plug-in hybrid. According to Oliver Blume, the new platform for the next 911 is already prepared to receive such a system, but that does not mean that there will be a 911 capable of some mobility in electric mode.
And a 100% electric Porsche 911?
If plug-in hybrid is still under discussion, an electric Porsche 911 is even out of the question for the next decade . Why? Packaging, autonomy and weight. In order to achieve a reasonable autonomy, the only solution would be to place the batteries at the base of the 911 platform. This would require increasing the height of the sports car — approximately 1.3 meters in the 991 generation — which, in the eyes of Porsche, would do with 911 to stop being 911.And to be able to enjoy all the performance and dynamic capabilities that we expect from a Porsche 911, a considerable battery pack would be needed, which would naturally and significantly increase the weight, undermining its dynamic capabilities as a sports car.
Porsche will not play with its icon
911 will remain, for the time being, just like itself. But if and when your customers are ready for an electric 911? Porsche won't be caught off guard, so the brand will continue to explore that path in development prototypes for years to come.
Porsche Electrics
Porsche is already road-testing prototypes of the Mission E production model, the saloon somewhere halfway between a 911 and a Panamera, and which will be the first 100% electric vehicle for the German brand.
Michael Steiner, Porsche's head of research and development, says that the Mission E is currently at the ideal point between dimensions, packaging and performance like a sports car, using electricity. Porsche decided to follow a different path from other manufacturers by betting on a relatively low car and not a crossover/SUV. Its presentation is scheduled for 2019, but everything points to the commercial start only in 2020.
After the Mission E — the production model will have another name — the German brand's second electric will be an SUV. Everything points to it being a variant of the second generation of the Macan.
Porsche has won Le Mans three times with the plug-in 919 Hybrid, so using this type of solution in a production car guarantees the necessary credibility. Oliver Blume refers to the very good reception of the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid by his customers — 680 hp, courtesy of a V8 Turbo and an electric motor — revealing that they are on the right path . Hopefully the Cayenne will receive the same driving group.