More than 20 new Porsche 911 variants bound for Oz

Porsche Cars Australia is set to take on more than 20 different variations of the new 992-generation 911 over the coming three years – including a hybrid-powered Turbo S flagship.

In good news for enthusiasts, the German car-maker anticipates little change to its order books despite the introduction of the convoluted WLTP emissions testing process in Europe.

For other car-makers such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, the protocol changes have forced a drastic downsizing of their model line-ups, effectively because Australia’s high sulphur petrol means we are stuck in the old NEDC test cycle process. For many manufacturers, the process of testing cars against both measures – and removing their particulate filters to cope with poor Australian petrol – is considered a logistical nightmare and financially untenable.

However, Porsche sees it differently.

“At the moment, we continue to bring cars to Australia based on Australian regulations,” said Porsche Cars Australia’s head of public relations, Chris Jordan. “We’re homologating using the NEDC numbers and without a gasoline particulate filter.

“We don’t see any models that won’t come here for WLTP reasons.”

The 992 rollout begins on April 16 with the official release of the new 911 Carrera S and 911 Carrera 4S.

Following that, carsales.com.au understands Porsche will bring to market cabriolet versions of both cars in May.

The ‘entry’ version of the 992, the 911 Carrera, is set to land around September, while a seven-speed manual gearbox will arrive around the same time to go with the new eight-speed automatic.

Insiders are not anticipating any wholesale changes to the stick shift, meaning it will likely be based on the 991’s seven-speed PDK again.

Spy shots are already circulating of the new 2020 Porsche 911 Turbo, while GTS, Targa and GT3 models are considered a forgone conclusion for each generation of Porsche’s storied sports car.

What will cover unchartered territory is a confirmed hybrid version of the 911. That car is set to be the most powerful 992 variant in regular series production and, fittingly, will wear the Turbo S badge.