2019 Porsche 911 teased; spyshots reveal 992 interior

The upcoming, 992-generation Porsche 911 could adopt some form of electrification, though the extent of the adoption has yet to be confirmed by the company, according to chief of the 911 model line August Achleitner. Porsche thinks there will be a next step in terms of drive technology “if it fits Porsche and the specific character of the 911.”

The 911 chief calls the iconic model ‘the heart of the company,’ pointing to key factors which distinguish the model from other cars, adding that “the decisive factor is that the 911 generates a driving feeling that no other car can impart,” Achleitner said.

That 911 identity required by Achleitner and Porsche extends to interior design, and with the increasing popularity of digital panels in modern car interiors, Achleitner feels that it is important for digital interfaces between people and machines to be as timeless as possible. “Even where the public might be expecting a bigger ‘wow factor,’ in the long run a certain aesthetic reserve pays dividends,” he said.

This is reflected by the latest spy images of the 992-generation car, here including an image of its interior. Here we can see that a new design of steering wheel joins an array of digital displays, the former drawing inspiration from the Mission E’s helm while the latter is a development of the units employed on the latest Cayenne and Panamera.

The capabilities enabled by said interfaces also need to fit with the character of the Porsche 911, the model line director added. “When it comes to the individual assistance systems, the have to fit with the 911. Those are convenient and useful things. But the customer has to make the choice to use them and, above all, be able to switch them off when they’re not desired,” he said.

Driving enthusiasts can find comfort in the Neunelfer‘s future direction, too, as Achleitner says the joy of driving always has to be at the forefront, which is “why a 911 will always have a steering wheel.” What if autonomous vehicles progress and proliferate more quickly than expected? “Then the 911 will be one of the last cars to drive autonomously,” he said.

There’s hope for fans of the stick-shift transmission, too, judging from this image of the test mule’s interior showing a manual transmission lever. This doesn’t mean the product chief is completely against the development of a 911 with electric drive, however. “Two years ago I’d have said no way. Today I wouldn’t categorically rule it out,” Achleitner said, hinting at an electric drive-assisted 911.

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