Porsche 911 Enthusiasts Think Porsche Will Be Able To Implement Hybrid Tech Without Sacrificing Performance, But Have Some Concerns Too

All eyes are currently on Porsche since we finally get some figures of the hybrid 911's performance compared to the 992-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S. While the hybrid 911's 8.7-second advantage around the Nurburgring is impressive, I think Porsche people don't care about it as much.

While Porsche promised to keep its signature, rear-engine sports car combustion-powered, they didn't say anything about not adding electrification, and they finally did. This sparked an interesting discussion on Rennlist, which I am following, and apparently, some people on there, confirmed my suspicions.

I have taken some of the highlights from the Rennlist thread to elaborate on wherever possible. 

How do people feel about the Porsche 911 hybrid? 

While sifting through the comments on the Rennlist thread titled "Would you buy a hybrid 911?”, I found some people welcome Porsche's decision to make a hybrid 911. Most, however, are skeptical and a few concerns stand out. Here's what people say. 

1. Manual transmission availability

Despite Porsche's PDK being one of the best gearboxes in the industry, many 911 buyers still want to experience the joy of changing gears manually.  

To the question, would you buy a hybrid 911, Scott P says: “Only if the ICE was a flat six and came with a manual option”. 

Rennlist user, adm63, says: “I will wait for more information before deciding, but I'm glad I got a combustion manual, RWD 911 while I can”. 

Rennlist user, Hollywood says: “To me, it all depends on the Manual".  

While Porsche hasn't mentioned anything at this point, it is more likely that the hybrid 911 will arrive as an automatic-only model. Hybrid vehicles are, generally, devoid of a manual transmission although there are very few exceptions, mainly the quirky Honda CR-Z that paid homage to the classic CR-X. 

2. Reliability concerns 

While Porsche is unanimously respected (by me included) for its performance vehicles, mainly the 911 and 718, there is no denying the fact that German cars don't have the best reputation when it comes to their complex electronics.

This is especially true in recent years and while Porsche hasn't given us much reason to thrash-talk on its reliability, there are brands like Mercedes that have frequently given issues with their hybrid powertrains and still do. With that said, here's what some people on Rennlist think about the perceived reliability of the hybrid Porsche 911. 

Jjw285 says: “Electrical systems and german cars have never went hand in hand. I think I'd just wait until after the first year or two. Other than that, I'd prefer non-hybrid, but its not a deal killer for me”. 

Dchang81 says: “I haven't really looked into it much but how reliable have mild hybrid systems been across the industry? I know MB had some serious issues with the 53 engine”. 

While drawing lines between the hybrid Porsche 911 and the C8 Corvette E-Ray, Drstimpy2! says: “Watching the roll out of the C8 mild hybrid. Seems good so far but want another year of real-world experience. Trust but verify”, to which Budman1 replies: “Well said. A mild hybrid that improves performance is intriguing, but am not sold yet on long-term reliability”. 

Other members are willing to give the Porsche 911 hybrid a chance, but only after some time has passed after the model's introduction, in order to determine their final verdict. 

Fullyield says: “Would not even consider it until: 1.) two-three years into production, 2.) researching and considering owner reviews and maintenance history and issues and then 3.) extensive test drive. So, maybe in 2027 or 2028….but not holding my breath. I will not spend $150k on something I know nothing about other than what has been reported in a very contradictory and confusing car magazine article. Ask me when I know what in the $@#! it really is?” 

3. Not enough of an upgrade 

Despite being criticized for being bigger and heavier than the 991, the 992-generation Porsche 911 is an extremely capable sports car. With that said, those who already have the 992 generation might not be intrigued by the 992-based hybrid 911 model.

CodyBigdog says: “As I already have a 992, then no…unless it was significantly faster. Pretty sure it will be significantly more money than what I paid for my 992S, or could get in re-sale, and for the most part, expect it to look almost identical to what I have. So, for me to jump, there has to be a good reason. Happy as Hell with key current 992, so see no need. Besides, it’s usually best to wait a year or two, to make sure most of the kinks are ironed out”. 

Figures aside, some owners have concerns that it wouldn't be worth the upgrade especially if you already have the 992.1-generation Porsche 911. Some of these comments directly confirm my suspicions when writing about the 8.7-second advantage of the hybrid 911 over the standard Carrera S. 

Denny Swift says: “I'm sure I'll get called names for this but... The engine of a vehicle is honestly the least important aspect of to me. It's the last thing I care about when shopping for a car. Virtually every sports car sold today has far too much power.

The more powerful they become, the less fun they are. To me, pushing the limits is where the fun begins so as cars get more power the limits increase and it becomes harder and harder to reach the limits. If I ignore range and access to fuel, then the power source is irrelevant to me. 

A car that feels like a mechanical connection to my body and brain is what makes me smile. The recipe for my perfect sports car is a great manual transmission, tactile steering, great balance at the limits, logically placed controls, a cockpit that I wear rather than sit on, and a beautiful body. The power source is entirely irrelevant if those ingredients exist. (But obviously a real manual can't exist in an EV)”. 

Wilder says: “There is so much nonsense about chasing seemingly never-ending power numbers and 0-60 times. Even within this sub, there are those who believe the smaller turbos are not enough. Makes me chuckle.

There is such a thing as too much power for a road car and it seems to be right around 500 hp. I don't know many people who can control a 400-hp car without nannies, never mind 500 hp. As you said, what matters is feeling.

A car that feels like an extension of your body and the road. This is why air-cooled car values are going through the roof. Modern cars just can't quite achieve the same level of tactility, though my stripper T and the GT cars are probably as good as it gets”. 

t-design says: “What is the point of hybrid in 911? It's already too big and too heavy. Will it drive better with more weight added again? Or they just follow the stupid trend? 
And by "drive better" I mean - handling, not the 1-60 times from the papers”. 

Vintage38 says: “I'll wait and see on actual ownership reviews before I order a 992.2. I ordered a 992.1 due in March, just in case the reviews aren't favorable”. 

Carlo_Carrera says: “I don't foresee much difference in the "feel" of the power delivery between the rumored "hybrid" Carrera and the current turbocharged Carrera models so I would consider buying one if it drove well”.

4. Some 911 enthusiasts don't see any point in a hybrid Porsche 911 and are worried how the car would feel 

Some people firmly believe that hybrid powertrains are a waste of resources, especially when it comes to high-performance vehicles. Sure, they combine the best of both worlds, but also the worst.

To an extent, you get the maintenance costs of a conventional car as well as those of a BEV. More complexity also means more weight and there are concerns about that as well, as it directly correlates to the driving experience. Let's not forget those comments are mostly opinions and concerns. 

Rennlist user, Porsche992, says: “I rather get a fully electric car or a manual transmission car. Anything in the middle is a waste, so no thanks to hybrids”. 

Nyca says: “Depends on the implementation. I do not like the feel of regen brakes. Also, possibly the sound they make. Also, do you need to keep the hybrid battery charged to start the engine? Does the car even have a traditional starter motor, or are they removing it to save weight, which means your battery tender function must also now include the hybrid battery because that's the motor that starts the ICE engine”.

5. Some Porsche enthusiasts embrace the 911's hybrid future 

The truth is, we have seen high-performance supercars from various manfuacturers, Porsche included. And they are all capable vehicles that feature motorsport-derived tech and provide a visceral driving experience. 

A sarcastic comment by jlegelis states: “Definitely absolutely never because all the 918s, hybrid Ferraris and McLarens are positively awful right?” 

...to which Rennlist user, Just J, replies: “Exactly. I wouldn't turn down a 918 just because it's a hybrid, and I wouldn't turn away from a hybrid 911 just for that reason. It's about how it is to drive. Sound, acceleration, breaking, handling, ride - all these and more combine into an overall experience. No single aspect is an automatic dealbreaker”. 

Other Rennlist members feel confident in Porsche's ability to make a 911 hybrid without compromising the driving characteristics. 

Chance6 says: “I absolutely would, especially if it only adds about 55 lbs and I can get in RWD. Sign me up. PDK and all”. 

Rwbern recognizes the brand's abilitiy to implement hybrid tech from the racetrack to the road: “The Motorsport program is the proving ground for a Porsche hybrid. It will be off the charts I’m sure, but I am really more than satisfied with a normally aspirated 991.1 4S Targa. I’m in the home stretch of this journey, so that is probably it for me, but I hope to last long enough to get in the seat before the finish line”. 

Dhirm5 says: “I'll be trading my cab for the GTSh cab when it becomes an option”. 

I spent significant time on Rennlsit to determine what people's attitudes towards the first-ever hybrid Porsche 911 are. While there are noticeable concerns by some of them, some more valid than others, there is still much we don't know in terms of level of electrification and performance figures, aside from a Nordschleife lap time. 

The sheer number of hybrid models and their popularity in recent years suggests buyers are not that concerned with reliability, and frankly, when you can cough up Porsche 911 money, repair costs are, likely, not a big concern, Of course, we would all like to avoid those.  

I don't know if someone from Porsche is reading these threads (I would assume they do), but it seems most concerns stem from the fact Porsche still hasn't given us much information regarding the 911 hybrid. Hopefully, on May 28, when the hybrid 911 makes an official appearance, all concerns will be put to rest. 

About the author 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image sources: Porsche 911 Hybrid, Porsche 911 Carrera