Porsche does not want to make an electric 911

In an interview with Australian media, the vice-president of Porsche’s 911 and 718 model lines, Frank-Steffen Walliser, has stated he has no plans to make a fully electric 911 any time soon.

Despite harsher emissions regulations tightening the vice on what can be achieved with combustion engines, Mr Walliser says there are certain things that are an “integral part of the 911 story”.

“For enthusiasts, this has to be emotional,” he explained. “Hearing something, feeling, tasting, is important. The more you can touch all of those emotions, the better it will be to drive."

“We want to keep six cylinders for sure,” Mr Walliser said of the incoming Euro7 requirements in 2026, “but we will have to make a new engine.”

But could this force the 911 to go electric? He had other thoughts…

“We can do an electric sports car, but I do not intend on making an electric 911. A hybrid might be possible – but it should be a hybrid that fits the character of a 911,” Mr Walliser said.

He also ruled out a PHEV, saying, “Not a plug-in hybrid – this is too heavy for the 911”.

Despite this, Mr Walliser was of a different opinion when it came to the smaller 718 Boxster and Cayman, saying the door was well and truly open to electrifying those nameplates due to the arrival of its next generation alongside the new Euro7 emissions regulations.

“Six cylinders… or way more different,” he said of the 718’s powertrain. “Electric is one of those options.”

So, if Mr Walliser could have his way, what would the 911 look like?

“More a driver’s car, a real sports car” he said. “If I had a wish… I would make it a little smaller, ” with him conceding that the 992’s extra size and technology had made it a good “daily”.

“The 911 is not an exotic sports car – it can be your daily. This is good for us because of mileage. When you put mileage on, eventually you need a new one [laughs].”

Thankfully, though, the boffins at Porsche intend to keep the manual around a little longer, even though the list of available 992 variants in Australia with the seven-speed manual option is ever-shrinking.

“We will try to keep it as long as possible in the 911, generally,” Mr Walliser said of the manual transmission option, but it seems there is no denying market trends. “People say, ‘Oh, manual is so important’, then they go to the dealer and buy the PDK.” he said.