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Not long ago, the notion of a hybrid sports car seemed preposterous. This type of powertrain was solely associated with boring grocery-getters, lack of performance, and lack of soul. Over the last decade or so, things changed and hybrid vehicles are more popular than ever, even surpassing the fully-electric cars, which are currently falling out of favor in many markets.
When I first learned that Porsche could be making a hybrid 911, I hoped they didn't butcher it. It turns out Porsche not only got things right with the 911's T-Hybrid powertrain, but also in my opinion, schooled all other carmakers on how to make a hybrid sports car without sacrificing its character. With that said, I revisited the T-Hybrid powertrain and found three very good reasons why this is the most brilliant hybrid system in any sports car.
The most lightweight hybrid setup of any sports car
The main concern with electrified propulsion is weight. The electric motors themselves are not heavy, it is typically the batteries that add a hefty figure. Luckily, the cleverly-priced Porsche 992.2 Carrera GTS has a very small, 1.9-kWh battery, which only adds 59 pounds. All in all, the T-Hybrid setup adds 110 pounds to the weight, compared to the outgoing, 992 Carrera GTS, which doesn't feature a hybrid powertrain. In case you wonder, the all-wheel drive adds another 110 pounds to the car's weight.
Clever packaging
Porsche's T-Hybrid powertrain isn't just the most lightweight full-hybrid system. It is also one of the most compact ones. Porsche engineers optimized packaging by reducing the number of peripheral parts on top of the 3.6-liter, turbocharged flat-six, in order to make it 110 mm lower than the 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six.
The e-motor is positioned inside the PDK transmission housing while the electric motor is positioned at the front for better weight distribution. The packaging of the T-Hybrid powertrain is akin to a mild-hybrid setup, but for it is actually a full-hybrid system that works constantly. One thing Porsche's T-Hybrid powertrain doesn't give you is the ability to drive on electricity alone.
911 Turbo-like performance for the mid-range 911
If you get the Porsche 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS, you are getting all-wheel drive, which allows for a 0 to 60 mph time of 2.9 seconds, but those are official numbers. Porsche 911 consistently puts down lower 0-60 mph numbers than advertised, so a 2.5-second sprint to 60 mph isn't unrealistic.
Moreover, the T-Hybrid-powered 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS is said to achieve 60 mph in a shorter distance compared to the 992.1 Turbo and on the Nürburgring, the 992.2 Carrera 4 GTS managed a lap time of 7.16:93 - slightly quicker than the 992.1 Turbo S' 7.17:1, and 8.7 seconds quicker than the outgoing, non-hybrid 992 Carrera GTS.
Clever energy management
The T-Hybrid powertrain revolves around a 3.6-liter flat-six engine. In addition to being larger than the 3.0-liter twin-turbo unit still found in the 992.2 Carrera, Carrera T, and Carrera S, the GTS engine also features a big single turbocharger. Normally, this is a recipe for turbo lag, but not here.
The 992.2 Carrera GTS’ 9A3 engine features an electric actuator for the turbocharger, which eliminates turbo-lag. Moreover, excess exhaust gasses are converted to energy. Once enough energy is recuperated, the turbocharger is being “de-boosted” and the stored energy is being used to provide more performance. A clever way to reduce the stress on mechanical parts without sacrificing performance.
Other carmakers like Toyota could implement something similar in their future performance models. A good opportunity would be the next-generation Toyota GR Supra, which will feature Toyota's new engine as part of a hybrid setup.
Other applications for the Porsche T-Hybrid powertrain
As for the T-Hybrid powertrain, Porsche will not limit its use to the Carrera GTS. The upcoming Porsche 992.2 Turbo and Turbo S models are also said to feature a T-Hybrid powertrain, albeit in more powerful form. Unfortunately, Euro 7 regulations mean that something similar could happen with the next generation of the Porsche 911 GT3/ GT3 RS models, which could adopt turbocharging or hybrid assist.
It doesn't seem like the hybrid powertrain has deterred 911 enthusiasts from buying the iconic German sports car with a rear-engine setup. Do you find the Porsche 911 Carrera GTS hybrid powertrain brilliant or do you think it should have stayed non-hybrid? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
Image source: Porsche 911 (992.2) Carrera GTS
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