#GIMS: RUMOR — Porsche Set To Debut Its MOST PURE, Modern 911 At The 2016 Geneva Motor Show

For purists, it's been a bit of a bummer to see Porsche undergo such a rapid transformation. It was only a few years ago the 911 (997) model brought us a hardcore GT3 and GT3 RS that had manual gearboxes and required serious talent to drive. Now with the 991 there is electric power-assisted steering, rear-wheel steering and only a dual-clutch gearbox to be had.

Porschephiles never thought they'd see the day.

Well, there is good news. Porsche knows its customers well and for a brand that's so steeped in tradition and values, it knew it couldn't abandon its past. Thus, the creation of the all-new, rumored 911 R.

The 911 R is said to slot between the 911 GTS and 911 GT3 model. According to reports it will represent the purist form of the 911 with a standard transmission and a stripped down, lightweight cockpit. In addition, it will be equipped with narrower tires and less aerodynamic tricks that ramp up downforce. Speculation points to it being powered by a 4.0-liter flat six and global production of only 600 units, but until Geneva you'll have to await for the official confirmation.

Porsche’s new hard-core 911 R will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show in March and will be strictly limited in production, but a handful will come Down Under.

Speaking at this week’s launch of the upgraded ‘991.2 series’ 911 Carrera 4, Targa 4, Turbo and Turbo S, Porsche’s 911 product line chief August Achleitner all but confirmed the new ‘pure’ 911 variant’s imminent appearance.

When asked by motoring.com.au about the 911 R, Achleitner said: “Come to Geneva and you’ll find out, but for now this is all I can talk about..."

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MDarringer - 1/23/2016 7:54:03 PM

-1 Boost

You mean they are going to take of all the electro-stability-crap and let the 911 be the dangerous vehicle it is?

I just do not get the 911, and I should, but I don't.

I love the twitchy handling of TVRs that forces you to concentrate or be bitten in the ass.

With a classic 911, you're always aware that the design of the Corvair oops 911 is inherently wrong. Everything about it is counterintuitive.

AWD 911s are more stable, but are still too tail happy.

Having driven a real 914-6 and having restomodded several 914s into 914-6s, I fail to see the allure.

The Cayman is 1000% better and Porsche hobbles it so that--like the 914-6--it will not kill the 911 for less money.

Don't even get me started on my love for the 944.

mini22 - 1/24/2016 3:14:43 PM

+1 Boost

Darringer-As usual you are the epitome of exaggeration. Today's 911 no longer has that unpredictable handling. If you read comparisons with Jaguar, Mercedes, BMW, Corvette, and Ferrari the at the limit handling with a 911 today is superior than any of those cars. In fact you really have to go to and Audi R8 or a McLaren to find better handling. The 991.1 with the replacement turbo engine has even better handling than the original NA 991.Yes Cayman's are more predictable at the limit but not by very much. The 911 of today is such a different proposition than the old aircooled cars or even the 997 was. This 911R which I've heard is already sold out will probably still have handling a notch above a GTS. The extra power will probably make the handling a bit more challenging. However no more so than a Jaguar F Type R without the AWD. Incidently the 944 was a great handling car. However for some reason it never had the appeal of the 911. It was never considered a true Porsche even though it had much better handling than the 911 of its era. Frankly though I'm pretty much off German cars today. They are a dime a dozen today. Part of the appeal of owning a high performance car was that not everyone else owns one. Frankly just to be off German If I wanted a high performance sports car(not a super car)with Porsche performance and handling I think I might just take a gamble on the new and improved Lotus Evora 400. If you scroll a bit on line there is a video of Matt Farra driving the first USA version in this country. Even in the video the engine noise is great. In addition he describes the car has a great ride with fabulous handling and steering. If I wanted to buy American it would have to be the GT350. Porsches are great cars that have become greatly overpriced. Corvette is a spectacular bargin for the performance. However I keep reading about quality issues and engines blowing up. I simply don't trust GM products. The F type is really a thing of beauty and they too have great sounding engines. I could certainly be tempted over a Porsche. Unless you take it to the track there really isn't that much of advantage over the Jaguar. Now with Caymans/Boxsters and 911 all being turbocharged Jaguars, Lotus, Fords have the best sounding engines in the semi affordable price range.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 4:18:50 PM

-1 Boost

Yes it does. The 911 will still swap ends on you if you get in over your head. It will do so much easier than will a Stingray or an F-Type where the engine is in the "right" place.

You've clearly never driven a 911 at the limit.

mini22 - 1/24/2016 5:27:23 PM

0 Boost

Matt-I used to own a 78 911SC. I know all about it's instability at the limit. We are talking 991 though. A dramatically different car. But Matt as you know for ultimate handling a mid engine car is probably the "right place". While Porsche has virtually eradicated trailing throttle oversteer in it's rear engine 911 there is no voodoo engineering required for a mid engine car. So your right that a Cayman is going to be more predictable at the limit but it is not night and day any longer. Rather it's really in small percentages today. However it is obvious that the mid engine design from an engineering point of view is still the best. Look no further then the current top crop of supercars-Ferrari Le Ferrari, McLaren P1, and Porsche 918. But getting back to Porsche's main stream sports cars. No argument that they are excellent. However there is no 85K transaction price for a base Carrera today. Who buys a stripped out 911. If your talking the 991.1 with the new turbo 3.0 it is probably 110K with average equipment now. The S is going to be between 120 and 130K. You know as well as I that Porsche is notorious for "Alacarte" pricing of it's options that would be standard on the competition. Now let's take the new 2017 Cayman/Boxster. Admittedly it is probably a very nice flat four turbo but it is still a four cylinder Matt. And what do you think the average transaction price for 718 Boxster/Cayman is going to be. We're not even talking S. I bet you dollars to donuts it's going to be around 70K. Go for the S and it's 80 to 85K. Forget to pay much attention to options and you are over 100K. Now look at the new BMW M2 where you feel the engine is in the "right" place. I believe it is starting under 50 grand. Guess what you get a 3.0 in line turbo 6. Performance and handling will probably come very close to a Boxster/Cayman GTS for way less money. Now lets talk crazy. I've decided to take an anti German car pill but a Mustang GT 350 is simply too large for me. Why not look at the Evora. It's engine is a modified version from the Toyota Camry. It's got to be reliable. The engine sounds great in that video with Matt Farrah. It seems like it would be a great day to day sports car.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 8:11:41 PM

-1 Boost

I can get you in GT350 for list if you don't mind waiting. LOL I grabbed myself one of the first 2015 Mustang GTs and then sold it three weeks or so later at a $10K profit to a dweeb who couldn't wait. What a moron. I will not sell my GT350 and yes I pulled rank and diverted one from the customer feed.

Lotus has all kinds of quality/reliability issues despite the Toyota engine. A Lotus is almost TVR shoddy in some respects.

Can I interest you in a TVR track car? Sagaris or Tuscan LS7? LOL

When I had my foot in the Porsche/Audi/VW world, we purposefully ordered base 911s when we saw one in the computer. Porsche has to build them to make the base price legal. The few we got sold instantly, but they were a great value.

My first 911 experience was in a Targa...good times, but I don't want one. The owner's 914-6 and 944S were 100% easier to drive fast.