2019 Porsche 911 prototypes spied

Prototypes of Porsche’s seventh-generation 911 have been spotted roaming frozen roads in Northern Europe, and unlike previously-spied mules based on the existing 991.2-generation car, these proudly flaunt near-production-spec bodywork. Camouflage is surprisingly minimal, and there’s plenty of detail on display.

From the side, the new Porsche 911’s silhouette is true to form – don’t expect any radical departures from the fastbacked coupe profile that has been the 911’s calling card since its inception in 1963. However that’s where the similarities with the current model end.

Around the back is where the most noticeable changes lie, with a wraparound retractable spoiler capping both tail lamps from tip to tip. The tail lamps themselves now span almost the entire rump, linked by a narrow LED strip in the middle, and the tailpipes now protrude through the rear bumper rather than peek out from underneath.

At the opposite end of the car, the front quarter panels now completely encircle the headlamps ‑ 993-style ‑ while the side indicator repeaters are relocated above the cutline to nest within the quarter sheet metal. Some sparingly-applied camouflage attempts to give the front air dam a similar look to the present-gen ‘991.2’ Carrera, but beneath the tape we can see a broader, squarer aperture similar to that of the Porsche 718 Boxster and Cayman.

Subtle wheelarch extensions fitted to previously-spied 991-bodied test mules indicated that the new 911 will sport a wider track than before, so while the fenders on these prototypes appear familiar, they actually mask a girthier undercarriage. Expect even wider haunches for the inevitable GT3 and 911 Turbo performance flagships.

Slim flush-fit door handles replace the current car’s door pulls, though features like the longitudinally-straked engine cover and door-mounted wing mirrors remain.

Underneath all of this box-fresh bodywork lies an all-new modular platform that will give Porsche greater flexibility (and economy of scale) in how it designs its future sports car ranges – and could well be employed by other models within the Volkswagen group.

The platform is expected to accommodate both rear- and mid-engined configurations, with the next-generation Porsche Boxster, Porsche Cayman, Lamborghini Aventador, Huracan and Audi R8 all expected to be spun off the new architecture.

It’s an architecture that can also support electrified powertrains, which opens the door for the 911 to transition to hybrid propulsion. However don’t expect the 911 to go the way of the Prius: with the high-performance Porsche 918 Spyder supercar setting the template, any 911 Hybrid should preference performance over eco-friendliness.

Expect to see the next-gen Porsche 911 make its global debut sometime in 2018, before launching as a 2019 model.