SPY PICS: Longer, more frugal 911 on the way

These Carparazzi pics are the most recent of Porsche's next generation 911 -- currently referred to as the 998 series -- and show the car in close to undisguised form.

Although the 998 is said to be longer, but lower-slung than the current (997) model, there is little to suggest any significant change in the 911's essential profile.

The Carparazzi team reckons there are noticeable styling changes in the rear end. Certainly the detailing around the rear window/air ducts area looks different, with a noticeable rib running either side of the rear window and terminating at a vestigial spoiler above the tail lights.

The Cayman-style, prominent side air intakes aft of the doors could be real, or could be there to throw inquisitive onlookers off the track -- most likely the latter.

Carparazzi says the next 911 will be 56mm longer than the current 997 at 4.49 metres, and that the wheelbase will be 10mm longer. It is also said to sit 11mm lower, which would be consistent with efforts by Porsche to improve fuel efficiency by further upgrading aerodynamics.

But the real story is in the engine compartment. Here, we can expect to find a smaller, 260kW 3.4-litre entry-level engine with fuel economy improvements measuring around 13 per cent over the current 3.6-litre boxer.

The Carrera S is said to be in line for an upgraded 298kW 3.8-litre engine with 14 per cent better fuel economy.

Porsche, along with other manufacturers of high-performance cars, is known to be under pressure to lower fuel consumption and has said it is developing four-cylinder boxer engines for its Boxster and Cayman models that could, if necessary, segue into entry-level 911s.

The next generation 911 range is also likely to include a hybrid variant, according to Porsche's previous head of research and development Wolfgang Durheimer. "From my point of view a 911 is not too far away at all. All our future sports cars are developed to have a hybrid application if necessary," he said at the 2011 NAIAS motor show in Detroit.

Durheimer moved from his role at Porsche to the position of chairman and chief executive at VW-owned brand Bentley at the time of the Detroit show.

-- with Carparazzi

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