SPY PICS: Next-gen Porsche 911 unclothed

The eighth-generation Porsche 911 is less than three months away from its world debut at the Los Angeles motor show in late November.

But you don’t have to wait that long to see it since the all-new 992-series version of the world’s best-selling supercar has now been spied for the first time lapping the Nurburgring without camouflage.

These fresh spy pics clearly show the 911’s design evolution continues in a predicably restrained way.

Stylistically, there’s a new bonnet shape with carefully restyled headlights and slatted, outboard front grilles, plus a more cleanly styled rear-end with larger, bolder venting below the rear window, a fully-concealed pop-up spoiler and a new bumper with closer-set exhaust outlets.

There’s also a full-width tail-light array that owes some of its influence to the four-door, front-engined Panamera.

The Panamera is also said to have influenced the interior, where a large screen will dominate the dash, along with a digital instrument array and the addition of new driver control interfaces.

The total effect is of a super-clean Porsche 911 that takes care of brand aficionados by aiming to please, rather than challenge.

While the 992 will share its basic platform with the current 991-series, engines in the Carrera and Carrera S will be more powerful yet cleaner, with fuel consumption improvements into the bargain.

Once again, rear-drive and all-wheel drive will, depending on the variant, continue to be offered. So will the choice between manual and PDK automatic transmissions.

Interesting is that the adoption of forced induction will apply to all models — reportedly this time also including the GT3 — and that the first plug-in hybrid 911 will become reality within the 992’s life cycle, probably as part of the 992.2 midlife makeover.

When it arrives in Australia around mid-2019, the new 911 range is anticipated to again include the base Carrera and AWD Carrera 4 Coupe and Cabriolet, followed by more powerful Carrera S and 4S versions, then new Carrera GTS and 911 Turbo and Turbo S models.

All models except the GTS and flagship Turbo, which are scheduled for early 2020, are expected to go on sale in Europe during the first half of 2019, and in Australia by the end of next year.