2020 Porsche 911 992 Documentary

Porsche released the details of the 992's first powertrains as part of the model’s debut. Both the Carrera S and Carrera 4S – the first two members of the next-generation 911 family – feature twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engines. We knew from the debut that both models would have 443 horsepower on offer, but we can now report that there’s 390 pound-feet of torque, as well. All told, there's 23 horsepowers and 22 lb-ft of torque more than the current Carrera S.

Despite these modest gains (relative to 400-plus-horsepower sports cars), the new 911 is much more potent. The sprint to 60 miles per hour takes just 3.5 seconds for the Carrera S and 3.4 seconds for the all-wheel-drive variant – grab the Sport Chrono Package, and those figures fall to 3.3 and 3.2 seconds, respectively. The top speed, meanwhile, is 191 mph for both variants.

Porsche calls the 992's engine “new,” but really, its official name gives away its modified nature – the 9A2 Evo. Based on the 991.2's engine, the 3.0-liter in the new 911 features a revised exhaust manifold made from cast iron. Combined with a pair of larger turbochargers – the symmetrical units have electric wastegates, and larger compression and turbine wheels – the 9A2 Evo promises a reduction in turbo lag. That said, the larger turbocharger does mean less accessible torque compared to last year's 9A2 engine – peak twist is available from 2,300 rpm rather than 1,700 rpm.

Engineers also repositioned the intercoolers, moving them from the inside corners of the rear bumper to almost directly above the muffler. While there's a negligible decrease in cooling efficiency – exhaust systems get hot, after all – the new position allowed Porsche to enlarge both intercoolers. There's 14 percent more cooling capacity, and because the position is more efficient, the throughput of cool air is higher.

One of the big differences between the 911 we'll receive here in the United States and what our cousins across the pond will see is the presence of a gasoline particulate filter – European Union law mandates its presence. What that means is that continental 911s will be cleaner than North American models, although our car will sound better. How much better, though, we can't say. Even our Porsche Cars North America contact at the event hadn't heard an NA-spec car.

That said, the European model sounds perfectly throaty, both on startup and under full chat. The sound of 992s running hot laps regularly interrupted our tech sessions on the Hockenheim main tower's fourth floor. And that sound, aside from the sheer volume, was every bit a Porsche flat six. Porsche's engineers once again have nailed the 911's soundtrack.