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With a knowledgeable, driver-centric enthusiast base ready to debate any change to the 911 ad infinitum, putting a hybrid engine in the car was an enormous risk. It has been over 25 years since Porsche introduced the water-cooled engine in its 911 sports car, and today enthusiasts still debate whether it's better than its air-cooled predecessor.
The result of years of engineering work under the cloak of secrecy is the T-Hybrid powertrain, a 3.6-liter flat-six engine that pairs with an electric motor in the Porsche Doppelkupplung transmission, electric exhaust turbocharger and high-voltage battery in the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS and Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet.
Brand loyalists called it heresy. Porsche sees it differently. "Particularly on our two-door sports cars such as the 911, the exhilarating sound of the flat-six engine is a trait deeply connected to the emotional experience of driving the car. That being said, regulations around the world are also a determining factor in the kind of powertrains we are able to offer in different markets, in addition to customer demand," Frank Moser, vice president of the Porsche 911 and 718 model lines, told Newsweek.
Among the concerns Porsche enthusiasts expressed upon the revelation that a battery-electric or hybrid setup was on the way, was the notion that it would be a compromise, delivering less enthusiastic performance than the previous generation of propulsion options.
"The power and thrilling sound of a Porsche combustion engine combined with the low weight typical for a 911 are attributes that are very important to passionate Porsche enthusiasts. To preserve this, forgoing fully electric driving potential on the 911 was a conscious and deliberate decision," Moser said. "To preserve the agile and nimble handling of the 911, neither a plug-in hybrid system nor a full battery-electric vehicle was an option."
The 911 has a well-known exterior design, footprint and handling capabilities, which have only been refined from generation to generation. Porsche did not want to upset the applecart with the new powertrain.
Moser said: "The goal was to keep the weight and weight distribution of the 911 similar to that of the predecessor, and to use the existing space in the car for the battery and electric motor. We couldn't make the car any longer, wider or taller, so the components of the system had to be compact and lightweight. Keeping the weight in check and using the existing space was a big challenge."
Despite initial concerns, test-drives received an exceptional response. "The feedback from media who have driven the car and interest from customers has been overwhelmingly positive, with strong demand as a result. The performance increase compared to the predecessor is clearly noticeable, and the integration of the hybrid powertrain is seamless," Moser said.
Because of its adherence to the Porsche 911 ethos and unwavering performance, Porsche's T-Hybrid innovation is Newsweek's 2025 Powertrain Disruptor of the Year.
