Autocar has learned that Porsche will fit the forthcoming facelifted versions of the 911 Turbo, 911 GT2 and 911 GT3 with its new-generation of direct injection petrol engines. It’s part of Stuttgart’s plan to improve the performance of its harder-edged 911s, while also making them more economical and reducing their CO2 emissions.
In a move that spells an end to the company’s legendary horizontally opposed six-cylinder M97 powerplant – the so-called Metzger engine - all three models will adopt the new A91 direct injection engine. This was first unveiled in the facelifted 911 Carrera that has just gone on sale in the UK.
Both the 911 Turbo and 911 GT2 are will get the new 3.6-litre version of the horizontally-opposed, six-cylinder A91, with a 97.0mm bore and 81.5mm stroke (compared with the old engine’s 100mm x 76.4mm). This ultra-modern direct injection unit also gets twin turbochargers and intercoolers.
Official power figures are yet to be revealed, but Autocar sources suggest a 20bhp increase over the old cars, taking the four-wheel drive 911 Turbo up to 500bhp and the rear-wheel drive 911 GT2 to around 550bhp.
The updated rear-wheel drive 911 GT3 will get a naturally-aspirated 3.8-litre version of the A91 engine with 102mm bore and 77.5mm stroke. It will receive a number of internal revisions over the engine used in the 911 Carrera S, including lightweight pistons. This should push power from today's 415bhp to nearer 430bhp.
As well as increasing performance, the decision to offer the 911 Turbo, 911 GT2 and 911 GT3 with direct injection engines further streamlines production at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen engine plant. At the moment, the old Metzger engine is built on a separate line to the A91.
Read our first drive of the new Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
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Re: Cleaner engines for faster 911s
Sorry but you are wrong! Just ordered my 2009 911 turbo and the dealer order sheet specified the same engine as 2008. No exterior changes for 2009 model year Turbo. The new turbo will however get all the new enhancements to the interior including larger touchscreen PCM, bluetooth option, connectivity option and sat radio. Porschepete
Re: Cleaner engines for faster 911s
I have no problems at all with Porsche (probably my favourite car manufacture) producing cleaner (and more powerfull) engines, but surely there will be some very annoyed GT2 owners out there with UK registered cars (that cost £120k +) that are less than 9 months old...and then to find out about this news.