New Porsche 911 leaked

Just days before its official public premiere at the Los Angeles motor show on November 28 (this Thursday for Australians), the eighth-generation, 992-series Porsche 911 has been exposed by Jalopnik.com.

No details were leaked alongside these three apparently official images – supplied by a reader -- of the 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, but the new model’s subtly evolved new exterior design has already been seen virtually undisguised in a series of development testing shots released by Porsche.

Although they’re low-resolution, these images show the next Porsche 911 – which goes on sale in Australia in mid-2019 -- will continue with the model’s hallmark round headlights, but adds beefier rear haunches, flush-fit door-handles, revised door mirrors and a full-with rear light bar.

We also know fresh technologies will include a new eight-speed dual-clutch dual-clutch automatic transmission and matrix LED headlights – both from the latest Panamera.

The new 911’s interior is yet to be seen, but it’s also expected to borrow features from the Panamera such as a larger central touch-screen and digital instruments.

As we reported from our first prototype passenger ride last month with 911 model director August Achleitner, who confirmed it has been engineered for hybrid power for first time, the new 911 will be shown in LA in Carrera S PDK auto form.

The reason for this to highlight the new transmission. It adds 20kg but extra use of aluminium throughout the 911 body and chassis will ensure that weight gains – if there are any -- are minimal.

It will be joined in 2019 by the standard 911 Carrera with seven-speed manual, and all Carrera models will for the first time wear the same wide-body design as the new 911 Turbo, in both rear- and all-wheel drive format.

In fact, the next 911 will be as wide as the outgoing GTS/GT3 at the rear, while the front track has been increased by 40mm, the height up by 5mm and about 20mm added to its length.

There’s bigger, staggered wheels, the Carrera S having a 20-inch front wheel and a 21-inch rear wearing 245/35 ZR20 and 305/30 ZR21 tyres.

Convertible versions of both the Carrera range and higher performance versions (Turbo, Turbo S and more track-focussed GT3 and GT3 RS) will quickly follow.

The 911 Turbo S is anticipated to have in excess of 485kW when it arrives, but it’s unknown whether the new GT3 will retain its glorious 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat six, or receive a turbo engine.

For the 911 Carrera S, a new intake, intercooler and turbos will see the 3.0-litre boxer engine boosted to 335kW and 530Nm -- enough for the Carrera S to reach 100km/h in under four seconds and onto a 310km/h-plus top speed.

Standard brakes remain steel, with Porsche Surface Coated Brakes (PSCB) denoted by white callipers and the PCCB carbon ceramic discs with their signature yellow callipers offered as options.

Once again, the Sport Chassis choice brings a 10mm drop in the standard PASM suspension, the Carrera being offered with the option of rear-wheel steering, a sports exhaust as well as the familiar Sport Chrono Pack among the lengthy options list.

Sport Chrono will add active engine mounts and some configurability to the drive settings, the 992 gaining a further diving mode, with Wet joining the current Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Individual choices.

In addition to adaptive cruise control, the 992 will be offered with Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning as well as the option of Night Vision.