2017 Porsche 911: First Look

Competes with: Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes-AMG GT, BMW M4

Looks like: The 2016 Porsche 911

Drivetrain: 370-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 331 pounds-feet of torque; 420-hp, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder making 368 pounds-feet of torque; rear-wheel drive; seven-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission

Hits dealerships: March 2016

The 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S are saying goodbye to their naturally aspirated 3.4-liter and 3.8-liter engines, respectively, as twin-turbocharger technology is introduced on the entry-level 911 to increase performance and fuel economy. Turbochargers are old hat to Porsche with more than 40 years of forced induction experience, but those turbocharged engines are most commonly found on higher-end models like the 911 Turbo.

Related: You Can Now Lock Your Porsche With Your Apple Watch

This is big news for the 911; it also comes with a sizable bump in pricing as the base coupe increases from $85,295, including a destination fee, to $89,400, while a Carrera S coupe jumps from $99,895, including a destination fee, to $103,400. Both modes include additional standard features for 2017 other than just the engine tech, however. Cabriolet models have similar increases and are now $101,700 for a base Carrera and $115,700 for a Carrera S. The pricing for the 2017 models doesn’t include a destination fee.

Besides the turbocharged engines, the 2017 911 also welcomes all-wheel steering as an option on Carrera S models to enhance stability, and the previously optional Porsche Active Suspension Management is now standard on the 911 Carrera and continues to be standard on the 911 Carrera S. Apple CarPlay is also added for 2017.

Porsche will unveil the new 911 at the Frankfurt International Auto Show on Sept. 15.

Exterior

Slight exterior changes give away the new 911, including vertical rear deck-lid louvers, redesigned daytime running lamps and new rear lights.

Interior

The 2017 911 features a new multimedia system and available Apple CarPlay. Called Porsche Communication Management system, it has a 7-inch touch-screen that recognizes handwritten  inputs. The multimedia system also has Wi-Fi connectivity. Google Earth and Google Street View are incorporated into the navigation system for the first time.

911s with the optional Sport Chrono Package include a new driving mode switch on the steering wheel for Normal, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual driving modes that impact suspension, transmission and sport exhaust system settings. The design is inspired by the Porsche 918 Spyder.

Under the Hood

The new Carrera has 20 more horsepower and 44 more pounds-feet of torque than the outgoing engine, up from 350 hp to 370 hp and 287 pounds-feet of torque to 331 pounds-feet, with the S going from 400 hp to 420 hp and acquiring 43 more pounds-feet of torque to 368 pounds-feet. The Carrera S gets its performance edge over the base model through the unique turbocharger internals and S-specific exhaust system. Porsche says a broad torque curve is available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm in both engines on their way to a 7,500 rpm redline.

Performance is predictably increased. Zero-to-60-mph times drop from 4.2 seconds for a Carrera with the optional dual-clutch automatic transmission to 4 seconds with the automatic and Sport Chrono Package. S models are quicker yet, doing the deed in 3.7 seconds with the automatic transmission and Sport Chrono Package, also two-tenths quicker than its predecessor. A seven-speed manual transmission is standard.

More power and speed is accompanied by up to 12 percent better fuel economy in Europe’s fuel economy driving cycle, according to Porsche. EPA numbers will come at a later date.
The 911’s chassis wasn’t left untouched and now comes standard with Porsche Active Stability Management with electronically adjustable suspension that sits 10 millimeters lower and aims to help improve comfort and driver control during fast cornering.

A rear-wheel steering system is newly available on the S and adopted from the 911 Turbo and 911 GT3 to enhance high-speed agility and low-speed maneuverability. Cornering turn-in is said to be enhanced, plus the 911’s turning radius is decreased 1.6 feet for easier maneuvering around the city. City drivers also have the option of an electro-hydraulic lift for the front suspension that lifts the nose 40 millimeters to clear a speed bump or steep driveway.

Safety

New and improved safety systems include an optional Lane Change Assistant with blind spot monitoring function, and post-collision braking is now a standard feature.