2020 Porsche 911 Is Actually All-New And Better Performing In Every Way

55 years since the introduction of the Porsche 911, only seven generations have been released, which is a testament to the car’s timeless status. The new, eighth generation (992) Porsche 911 builds on the traits of one of the world’s most iconic sports cars, ensuring that it continues to set the benchmark for handling and driving fun.

At first glance, the all-new Porsche 911, codenamed 992, might look the same from its predecessor, but there have been numerous styling changes done to the exterior. For starters, it gets new LED headlights, larger front air intakes surrounded by black trim pieces, as well as wider fenders. Streamlined door handles give the 911’s side profile a cleaner and more aerodynamic look. The most noticeable design changes are found at the rear. A new horizontal LED tail light strip now run through the 911’s width, a design trait that used to be exclusive to the AWD “4” variants of the 911, such as the Carrera 4, Carrera 4 GTS, to name a few. The base Carrera model gets 19-inch wheels up front and 20-inch wheels at the rear, while the Carrera S gets 20-inches up front and 21-inches at the rear.

The inside is likewise a careful evolution of the 911’s interior design language. It still features the high center tunnel design and the instrument cluster still has five gauges. However, the middle one is the only analog gauge among them. A 10.9-inch high resolution touch screen infotainment system takes center stage, and this is where most of the vehicle’s settings and functions are customized. Porsche says the angular dashboard design is inspired from 911s from the 1970s, but many touches have been made to bring it into the digital age. A 45-mm wider front track and lengthened wheelbase not only gives the 911 better capabilities at handling corners, but also better interior space.

Under the hood of the Porsche 911 is a new twin-turbo horizontally-opposed 3.0-liter H6 boxer engine. Featuring new die-cast aluminum manifolds, the new engines produces 385 hp (up from 370 hp) for the 911 Carrera and 444 hp for the 911 Carrera S (up fron 414 hp). The rear-wheel drive 911 Carrera S sprints from 0-100 kph in 3.7 seconds, while the 911 Carrera 4S does the same job in 3.6 seconds, both of which are 0.4 seconds faster than the model it replaces Adding the optional Sport Chrono Package reduces the acceleration times to 3.4 seconds. A 7-speed manual is standard, while an optional 8-speed dual clutch automatic transmission replaces the 7-speed PDK transmission.

Like with many modern cars nowadays, the Porsche 911 receives the latest and greatest in active safety and convenience features. A new “Wet Mode” uses sensors in the wheel well to detect the amount of water on the road and adjust the stability control and ABS accordingly. A new camera-based automatic emergency braking system is now fitted as standard, while Night Vision Assist with thermal imaging is now available for the first time in the 911. Lastly, an optional Adaptive Cruise Control now features automatic distance control, stop-and-go assist, and a new Emergency Assist function.