Frankfurt Motor Show: 2012 Porsche 911

One of the most important cars to be launched in Frankfurt is the 2012 all-new Porsche 911, codenamed the 991. Unsurprisingly, the all-new 911 does not feature an all-new design, retaining the distinctive 911 profile and famed rear-engined platform—both of which have remained remarkably unchanged over nine generations spanning 48 years.

Porsche design boss Michael Mauer had it easy apparently, revising the LED lighting on the front bumper ever so slightly, repositioning the door mirror housings from the base of the A-pillar to the door, slimming down the tail lights, reshaping the rear wing for more downforce above 120 km/h, and reducing the engine cover openings from five to three. The cabin, now 100 mm longer in wheelbase, is still a mode of clarity, drawing upon the Panamera's styling.

For the first time ever, aluminium is used extensively in the construction of the 911's chassis and bodywork—high-tensile steel is only used in the crash structure and the rear of the body—contributing to a weight reduction of 45 kg and improved rigidity. The handling further gets a boost from a lower ride height, wider front tracks, a reworked rear multi-link setup, and better front/rear weight distribution thanks to alterations to the engine mounting points.

Only the 911 Carrera and Carrera S are available at launch: the base Carrera's flat-six engine is downsized from 3.6-litre to 3.4-litre, but power goes up by five horses to 350 hp. Equipped with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, the Carrera requires only 4.6 seconds for the century sprint, while consuming 12.2 km/litre of petrol and spewing an impressively low 194 grams/km of carbon dioxide.

The 3.8-litre flat-six engine in the Carrera S churns out 400 hp, 15 horses more than before, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds. Here, again, the mighty performance is matched by the 911's new-found efficiency: fuel economy is rated as 11.5 km/litre and carbon emissions as 205 grams/km. A seven-speed manual transmission, an industry first, is an alternative to the PDK that would likely enhance efficiency further.

In the name of fuel efficiency, Porsche has discarded the previous hydraulic steering for a new electro-mechanical system—hopefully not at the expense of steering feel, and further equipped the 911 with an auto stop-start system, better thermal management and electrical system recuperation.