The automotive world tilted on its axis when Porsche announced the 911 GTS. Suddenly, the purists choked on their exhaust fumes. A hybrid 911? The thought of Stuttgart’s finest sharing DNA with… a Prius? For die-hard enthusiasts, it was like serving caviar on a paper plate. Blasphemy, some cried. Others just stared, mouths agape, wondering if the apocalypse was finally upon us.
Porsche dares to electrify its icon. The new 911 GTS isn’t just dipping a toe into hybrid tech; it’s diving headfirst. Forget fuel sippage; this isn’t about saving the planet. This is about pure, unadulterated performance. High voltage surges through its veins, unleashing a boost that redefines what a 911 can do. Prepare for a revelation.
Tech meets tradition
The Porsche 911, a defiant icon, clings to its rear-engine configuration like a climber to a cliff face. The engine, nestled behind the rear axle, isn’t there for optimal handling dynamics, it’s there because tradition demands it. The 911 GTS honors this legacy, but with a twist. An electric accomplice now joins the party, boosting the gasoline engine’s performance. This new motor, tucked discreetly within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, injects a potent 54 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque.
The performance figures might whisper, but the car’s high-voltage system screams innovation. Nestled within the turbocharger, braving infernal temperatures, is a second, miniature electric motor. It’s a tiny titan, and it’s where the real enchantment lies.
Imagine a tiny whirlwind, powered by the very breath of your engine. That’s essentially what a turbocharger is: a turbine spun by exhaust, which in turn forces extra air into the engine, boosting its power. This ingenious invention, dating back over a century, has always faced a challenge: turbo lag. Because it relies on exhaust pressure to get spinning, there’s a frustrating delay between stomping on the gas and feeling that surge of acceleration. The engine needs to cough up enough exhaust to get the turbo wheel whirling, sucking in more air, and finally unleashing the beast within.
Porsche just detonated turbo lag. Their electric motor tech spins the turbo to a mind-bending 120,000 RPM in under a second. The result? Near-instant boost. Forget waiting – this thing explodes. Combine that with an electric motor delivering an immediate surge of torque straight to the transmission, and you’ve got a gasoline-powered monster that launches with the brutal, unrelenting force of a pure EV.
Design sensibility
Tim Stevens for Engadget
Porsche dubs this electrifying heart – the entire system coupled with its 1.9-kWh battery – “T-Hybrid.” The payoff? A pulse-quickening 532 hp and 449 lb-ft of torque in the 2025 911 GTS. That’s not just a bump; it’s a 59-hp surge, catapulting the GTS into a new realm of performance.
The only telltale signs that this 911 hides a secret are the discreet “T-Hybrid” badges gracing its lower doors. And frankly, thank goodness for that. The 992.2 is, in my humble opinion, breathtakingly gorgeous. Cloaked in this understated Chalk, it’s still a showstopper. The dark 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels, along with the car’s ebony accents, amplify its inherent beauty.
The cockpit is a study in monochrome minimalism, bordering on stark. However, strategically placed accents of carbon fiber and Alcantara whisper of track-day intentions, elevating the space beyond mere basic transportation. Craving more? Porsche’s customization program is a blank canvas for your wildest interior fantasies, though be warned: indulgence comes at a premium.
Forget deciphering hieroglyphics – this 911’s cockpit is refreshingly intuitive. A sleek 10.9-inch touchscreen swallows the clutter, offering seamless wireless access to your Android Auto or Apple CarPlay universe. Behind the wheel, a breathtaking 12.6-inch curved display replaces traditional gauges with a vibrant, customizable experience. And don’t worry, Porsche hasn’t banished physical controls entirely. The essentials remain, perfectly placed and delivering a satisfying click with every command. The real star? That drive mode dial nestled at the four o’clock position. A flick of the wrist is all it takes to unleash the 911 GTS’s full potential. Feeling truly adventurous? One press of the tempting red button, and prepare for absolute mayhem.
Tim Stevens for Engadget
Driving
Forget the Turbo S and its headline-grabbing horsepower. The 911 GTS doesn’t claim the throne of pure power, but it reigns supreme in delivering it. Imagine the electric jolt of a Taycan launch fused with the soul-stirring roar and relentless surge of a 911 – that’s the GTS experience. It’s an addiction carved from instant gratification and traditional thrills.
Intoxicating doesn’t even begin to cover it. Forget tasting – you need toinhalethe experience. Hit that crimson button. Twenty seconds. That’s all it takes. Sport Response ignites, the electric turbocharger screaming for maximum power. The exhaust roars awake, a guttural symphony. The transmission lunges, gears snapping down. This isn’t idling anymore. This is a beast unleashed.
Nail the throttle in this mode and the 911 GTS explodes, an instantaneous eruption of controlled fury. The turbocharger screams a mechanical siren song inches from your skull, force-feeding the engine atmosphere for each exhilarating combustion. It’s a visceral addiction, a raw symphony of power that might overwhelm those accustomed to the hushed acceleration of the electric age. Switch to Sport Mode and the GTS’s exhaust unleashes a primal roar, guaranteed to send shivers down the spines of anyone unfortunate enough to witness your blitzkrieg passage on the open road.
Thankfully, taming the GTS’s beastly roar is effortless. One touch of the exhaust button, nestled discreetly below the expansive touchscreen, and the sonic fury fades into a surprisingly serene hush. Think less electric vehicle silence, more sophisticated whisper. Don’t be fooled by the presence of electric motors and a battery pack, though; this isn’t a Prius in disguise. The gas engine eagerly awakens before you even clear your driveway. And honestly? That’s perfectly alright. This machine was never meant to sip fuel; it’s built to devour asphalt.
Normal mode transforms the 911 GTS. The suspension relaxes its grip, and the lightning-quick transmission mellows into a smooth operator, seamlessly gliding through gears. It’s all about fuel efficiency, keeping the revs low and sipping gas like a miser. The EPA says 19 mpg combined, but even with a few spirited sprints, I squeezed out an impressive 25.1 mpg.
Tim Stevens for Engadget
Even at its most civilized, the GTS doesn’t quite morph into a luxurious grand tourer like an Aston Martin DB12 or Mercedes-AMG GT. Think less plush getaway, more thrilling escape. The suspension, even in its most forgiving setting, remains resolute. The roar from those massive tires becomes a constant companion, and wind rush at higher speeds turns into an unwelcome guest, often drowning out the Bose sound system’s best efforts.
Forget grand touring. This GTS isn’t about comfortable continents; it’s a sports car scalpel. Forget gradual buildup; this thing explodes. Instant power is its drug, addictive and always on tap. The steering? Telepathic. Handling? Effortless. Grip? Preposterous. Your favorite backroads? They just became a playground.
Forget mile markers and pristine pavement. Seek out the backroads, the cracked asphalt symphonies. The 911 GTS thrives where others falter. It begs for more, even after a brutal highway stint. The grip is relentless, the engine a siren song. Getting out? Unthinkable. I’m composing this very thought, seat molded perfectly to my form, hands still tingling from the drive.
Cost of entry
Forget affordable. This machine starts north of $170,000, and the one I drove? A cool $196,185. But if I were building my dream GTS, I’d shave off a few bucks and amplify the thrills. Ditch the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4. Give me the pure, unadulterated fun of the rear-drive model any day. And that sunroof? A $2,980 hit that adds unwanted weight to a car already carrying extra baggage compared to its predecessor. Nope, I’d keep it lean, mean, and ready to scream.
Shedding those two options alone claws back a cool $10,000 from the stratospheric price tag. Pricey, undeniably, yet the innovation justifies the expense. This isn’t just electrification; it’s a performance enhancement, sculpting a sports car into an even sharper instrument with minimal sacrifice. A genuinely covetable creation, this hybrid redefines Porsche, delivering a thrill die-hard enthusiasts didn’t realize they were missing but absolutely must experience.
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