Porsche reveals all-turbo 911

Porsche has taken the unusual step of releasing images of its upgraded 911 supercar two months before its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Although these first official images don't reveal much more than the spy shots we published in May (in fact they reveal less, thanks to strategically positioned tape hiding subtly revised headlight and LED daytime running light designs), they show Porsche is ready to release the midlife makeover of its 991-series 911.

Indeed, while no information accompanied them, this series of action and static pictures was taken during a pre-production drive in South Africa and supplied to selected media outlets ahead of the model's Frankfurt reveal and it's Australian release early next year.

Key new details on show include revised exhaust outlets and a 918-inspired steering wheel incorporating a new drive mode selector with four settings. Although it's not shown, the MY16 911 is also expected to bring a new-generation infotainment system.

As we've reported, however, the big change for the upgraded 911 is the move to downsized turbocharged boxer engines for all models except the 911 GT3.

According to UK reports, Porsche sources have confirmed earlier reports the 911 will move from naturally aspirated 3.4- and 3.8-litre flat-six engines to smaller-displacement turbocharged engines with more power and torque. Performance gains are expected to range between 15 and 22kW.

Further details are unclear, but as we reported in March, that could see the entry-level 911 Carrera swap its 257kW 3.4-litre boxer for a 2.7-litre turbo-six – returning to the capacity employed by 911s in the 1970s and '80s -- developing upwards of 280kW while reducing fuel consumption from 8.2 to less than 8.0L/100km.

The Carrera S, meantime, could downsize from an atmo 3.8 to a turbo 3.4, hiking its peak power from 294kW to more than 300kW, while the Carrera GTS could deliver as much as 325kW – although it's unclear if it, like the GT3, will remain normally-aspirated.

Porsche’s 911 Turbo and Turbo S (and rumoured GT2) models, meanwhile, will retain their large-capacity turbocharged 3.8-litre engines -- but are expected to be up to 10 per cent more efficient.

Hybrid power is not due to be available in the 911 until the next-generation 992-series due around 2018, but next year's facelifted line-up is likely to be joined by a new 'purist' variant dubbed the GT5, as we reported in June.

Separately, French publication L'Automobile claims Porsche will also use this year's Frankfurt show to debut the long-rumoured 'Pajun' – an all-new large sedan to slot beneath the next-generation Panamera, on which it will be based.

While the BMW 5 Series-size four-door was expected to become available with a traditional range of Porsche petrol and diesel powertrains, German publication Auto Motor und Sport reported in January that it will be a dedicated electric vehicle to rival Tesla's super-successful Model S.