Current Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid Coupe (992.2) – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
Whether it was the news you were dreading or the news you looked forward to—or perhaps it simply piqued your non-partisan interest—the Porsche 911 hybrid is now officially here. This latest bombshell announcement coincides with the German automaker’s official unveiling of the 992-generation’s mid-life refresh, conventionally referred to as the 992.2. Porschephiles knew this was coming for some time now, and Porsche themselves have hardly been coy about when this would all be inevitably happening. The “how”, was always a little more hazy, as test mules characteristically reveal very little when it comes to the intricate details. The company is really good at preventing “leaks”, too.
GTS Represents New 911 Doctrine
Headlining this monumental conjunction of eras old and new, is the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS. It features Porsche’s latest electrically augmented powertrain, dubbed the T-Hybrid. In recent history, the Carrera GTS has come to represent an ideal middle-ground within the 911 roster, where performance, versatility, and price all converge at an agreed upon sweet spot. “When you look at the hybrid characteristics, it is a perfect fit for the GTS,” remarked Porsche 911 Marketing Manager, Patrick Gebhardt.
Porsche has taken the pragmatic approach, you could say, by introducing this revolutionary change via its most universally appealing model. Inherent in its exclusive nomenclature is brand new hybrid technology which differentiates itself from that seen in any other existing Porsche platform, such as E-Hybrid versions of the Panamera and Cayenne.
More of The Same, Too
That being said, Porsche also made sure that there was still good reason for traditionalists to celebrate. Somewhat lost in all of this understandably distracting fanfare, the automaker snuck in details about the upcoming base Carrera, which will also come as one of the initial offerings from the 992.2 generation. Most notable from that is the fact that the latest base model will, at least for now, come exclusively equipped with the more familiar 3.0L twin-turbocharged flat-6 setup, along with its continued refrain from employing any sort of hybrid gadgetry.
Compared to the previous iteration, the new base Carrera has had its powertrain improved by borrowing parts from the 992.1 GTS and Turbo—namely the turbochargers and intercooler respectively. Don’t expect any meaningful performance bumps though, as the changes only increase peak power to 388 hp-about 7 hp more than the outgoing equivalent. Porsche says that the upgrades were made more with fuel efficiency and emissions regulations in mind, than anything else.
What The Future Holds
Either way, the existence of both an exclusively petrol-powered and a hybrid model from the get-go, shows Porsche’s statement of intent and offers a glimpse into what they have planned for the near-future with their flagship line of sports cars. My guess is that the gas-guzzlers will persevere in other trims such as the Carrera T and Carrera S, while range-topping models like the Turbo and Turbo S are likely to become part of the hybridization equation. You would think, for the foreseeable future, that the track-oriented GT models are exempt from the new-school thinking…
There’s been no official confirmation, though, about if or when the 7-speed manual transmission will return, as all brand new trims are being introduced with a PDK transmission as the only option. “We’re definitely keeping the door open to the manual in other versions. We are aware that there is customer demand for it,” Gebhardt vaguely alluded. Likely candidates for that, based on tradition, would be enthusiast-centric models such as the Carrera T and certain variations of the GT3 models. Anyway, we’re speculating now, so let’s get back on topic and talk more about the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS.
Performance & Drivetrain
Even today, hybrids still have yet to really shake off the various stereotypes most people associate them with. You know—that they’re uninspiring to drive and/or that they’re an undermined version of the fully-petrol-powered cars they’re based on. But if any automaker can change that narrative, it’d have to be Porsche.
Through all the advances in technology over the past decade or so, performance and fuel economy aren’t widely recognized as mutually inclusive attributes for any vehicle, let alone a sports car. That’s where Porsche’s T-Hybrid technology comes in, with the goal of bringing this to the market with some semblance of scalability, and not just as a one-off or bespoke application you’d only see at a motor show display.
T-Hybrid
Interestingly, Porsche has fitted a larger displacement 3.6L engine to handle the gas-sipping duties in the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS, rather than repurposing the 3.0L unit used in a variety of the 992.1 models and the upcoming base Carrera. This decision ticks all the required boxes though, as it allows for the incorporation of a single electric turbocharger and electric motor that the twin-turbocharged power plant would not otherwise be as compatible with.
It’s this setup that is crucial to the ethos of Porsche’s latest, and most motorsport-inspired, production car hybrid tech. Here, the aforementioned electric turbocharger is responsible for building up virtually instantaneous peak boost at low rpms, while the electric motor augments the 8-speed PDK transmission to add up to 54 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque above what the flat-6 can produce on its own power. Any electric powertrain components derive their energy sources from a 400-volt system supplemented by a 1.1 kWh lithium ion battery. Unlike other hybrids, there is no provision for the car to run solely on electric power for any distance nor duration.
Sports Car First, Hybrid Second
Over the previous 992.1 GTS, this increases peak figures to a combined 532 hp and 449 lb-ft of torque, which equates to a respective increase of 59 hp and 29 lb-ft of torque. Of course, the electric bits do more than just pump up the spec sheet numbers, as the increased boost to 26.1 psi from 18.6 psi, will significantly transform how all that power is delivered, especially down-low. It’s important to note that the T-Hybrid system can work with both a rear-wheel drive setup, like in the GTS, or an all-wheel drive configuration, like in the 4 GTS, the latter of which is also available to purchase right away.
Porsche claims that the 0-60 mph sprint improves from 3.2 seconds to 2.9 seconds for the hybridized GTS—despite a 110 lb weight penalty, too. The automaker has made a habit of understating their specs, with many car reviewers speculating that it could go as quick as 2.5 seconds in the 4 GTS Coupe. Top speed is rated at 194 mph. Not bad for a 2-door German Prius, eh?
Speaking of the “P-word”, the preliminary WLTP values show a combined consumption of 11.0 – 10.8 L/100 km, or roughly 22 mpg. While that’s somewhat impressive for a 500+ hp sports car, it’s not going to give the hypermilers any jitters. But therein lies the proof that the T-Hybrid isn’t going to turn the 911 into something that it shouldn’t be—and that’s good news for enthusiasts.
Handling & Chassis
Changes in this department aren’t quite as revolutionary as what’s happening on the powertrain side, but that’s not a bad thing. Here, Porsche has been remarkably consistent in delivering the maximum outputs from what is possible with the available technology respective to its price points, at a given time. No need to rip up a perfectly good recipe.
That being said, the German automaker still found a way to use T-Hybrid technology to its advantage when it came to improving the driving dynamics of the 911. For starters, the active suspension and aerodynamic components now piggyback off the T-Hybrid’s robust 400-volt electric system, allowing them to operate with more speed and intricacy. This enables features such as active roll control, front-end lift system and vertically aligned active air flaps to work simultaneously, enhancing handling and cooling performance.
Overall, the new GTS sits about 0.4” closer to the ground than the previous iteration, and has more standard features such as rear-axle steering and center-locking wheels. To accommodate the new dimensions created in order to integrate the T-Hybrid technology, the wheels are 0.5” narrower all around, but are still fitted with wider 315/30 tires in the rear. These changes aren’t going to transform the driving dynamics we’ve all come to love about the 911, to any noticeable degree. But in concert, the goal is to help make the platform more enjoyable and care-free to drive than before.
Design & Interior
The louver-like air flaps on the front bumper mentioned earlier, are probably going to be the most striking change to the new 911’s overall demeanor. They’re pretty hard to miss, and are likely to become a quintessential characteristic of T-Hybrid cars across the line up. The rear bumper has also been redesigned to accommodate a dual-center-exit exhaust design. Otherwise, the timeless wedge-shaped silhouette is largely unchanged. An optional Aerokit—which adds a fixed rear wing, amongst other elements—can be added on to further improve aerodynamic performance and provide a more aggressive look.
Inside, things will be largely familiar in relation to the 992.1 variants. As before, all 911 Coupe models are offered as two-seaters, with an optional 2+2 configuration available at no extra cost. Most notable is the integration of the fully digital instrument cluster—for the first time in a 911 model—as seen in other models within the current Porsche roster. While purists will prefer to shirk that notion, the new system does allow for a plethora of new integration features and a more sophisticated and customizable Porsche Communication Management system.
Pricing & Availability
The 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS starts at $164,900, while its Cabriolet version starts at $178,200. Similarly, the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS has a base price of $172,700, while its open-top counterpart begins at $186,000. Additionally, a Targa variant is also available right from the get-go, but exclusively with all-wheel drive—that car, the 2025 Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS, has a starting MSRP of $186,000.
As mentioned, all new hybrid 911 models come exclusively equipped with a PDK transmission, and we’ve yet to hear anything official about a 7-speed manual making a return to the upcoming cars. The new base Carrera is also available to order now, and the rear-wheel-drive-only platform can be specced in Coupe or Cabriolet configurations. Deliveries for the new 911 models are expected to begin throughout the fall and winter of 2024.
Verdict
A hybrid Porsche 911. Yes, it’s here. And no, it’s probably not going away anytime soon. While purists will remain unimpressed, the new 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS looks a mighty fine automobile whichever way you look at it. More than 500 hp. Instant boost. Active aerodynamics. Exceptional versatility. How can there be any critics and detractors for a car that has that, and so much more to offer?
And if you’re thinking really long term, a car like this sets a precedent and even an expectation, that sports cars can and will do what they’re meant to—inspire us to drive—as we crest into this new era of vehicle electrification. The petrol-engine, though in an altered state, perseveres—and while doing so provides proof that perhaps, there is still plenty of life left in it after all.
Even the purists have to tip their hats off to that.
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