For 2025, Porsche did something everybody was afraid of. Fans of the 911 were worried that electrifying the Porsche 911 would make it too complex and heavy, but what ended up happening is, Porsche schooled everyone on how to make a hybrid sports car that turned out to be quicker around the Nurburgring than a 992.1 Turbo S. That’s exactly what the 2025 Porsche 992.2 GTS achieved, so we can only expect the 992.2 Turbo S would be even more bonkers when it arrives.

That said, you can still buy a pure, non-hybrid Porsche 911 in 2025, which is where the base model Carrera comes in. You get yesteryear’s twin-turbocharged 3.0 flat-six engine with a few minor tweaks. In typical Porsche fashion, the said minor tweaks result in perceivable differences in performance, both in terms of acceleration and handling. The biggest thing here is that the Porsche 992.2 Carrera gets the 992.1 GTS’ turbochargers, which makes for some interesting results.

The 992. Carrera engine improvements might result in bigger performance gains

Porsche sports cars are known to punch above their weight, and the same could be said about the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera. The updated model still relies on a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, but it now features bigger turbochargers from the 992.1 GTS although turbo pressure has been reduced, which is why the 992.2 Carrera makes only nine horsepower more than the 992.1 Carrera, with peak torque remaining the same. That said, the bigger turbochargers will, no doubt, provide a substantial boost in mid-range torque, making for a more capable and refined street car. Stopping power is just as important as "going" power, which is why the 992.2 Carrera gets the larger brakes from the 992.1 Carrera S.

The 992.2 update turns the Porsche 911 Carrera into the perfect street machine

With the 992.2 mid-cycle facelift, the 2025 Carrera base model gets a few updates, but doesn’t get the T-Hybrid powertrain, like on the 2025 Porsche 911 GTS. That one gets an all-new flat-six engine, which despite its performance application, doesn’t share anything with the iconic Mezger engine in older 911 models.

Nobody buys a Porsche 911 Carrera for track use, which is why the 992.2 Carrera features revised Bilstein adaptive dampers. They now react quicker than on the 992.1. Moreover, the front dampers have been softened a bit for a more compliant ride although they can still get firm when needed. This, not only, improves handling, but also makes the 992.2 Carrera that much more versatile as a daily driver.

Just The right amount of power?

There are two schools of thought when it comes to horsepower. One says: “you can never have enough power” while the other poses a question: “How much power can you use”? The 2025 Carrera might have an answer. The 992.2 Carrera remains relatively lightweight compared to most other, high-performance cars, especially heavy-hitters like the Porsche Panamera hybrid, which pushes over 5,000 pounds. A Carrera T variant will, likely, shed even more weight than the Porsche 992.2 when it arrives.

Then, there is the question of how much power the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera really makes. I feel Porsche is, once again, playing a "Guess the number” game, and I can’t wait to see the 992.2 Carrera on a dyno. We know the 992.1 Carrera makes a lot more power than advertised, effectively, making the 992.1 Carrera S unnecessary. With the new 992.2 Carrera featuring the 992.1 GTS’ turbochargers, we are looking at a car that has the potential for over 470 horsepower, with all-factory hardware. Porsche quotes a top speed of 182 mph, which is identical to the outgoing model.

Other changes for the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera

For 2025, the Porsche 992.2 Carrera gets a few subtle revisions to the design. Styling-wise, we are looking at a revised front apron and new LED headlights. Inside, the 911’s cockpit, things remain nearly identical. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and offers a great variety of personalization while the physical key has been replaced by a Start-Stop button, which is thankfully still located on the left side of the steering. Porsche got rid of the manual transmission for the base 992.1 Carrera, but with 911 enthusiasts wanting a more organic driving feel, Porsche could make the seven-speed manual available for the 992.2 again. The eight-speed PDK will continue to be a no-cost option on most Porsche 911s except the hybrid versions. Porsche treats its 911 sports car differently than most other models, which share hardware with other V.A.G brands.

Models like the Panamera have been available with hybrid powertrains for some years now, but it doesn’t seem Porsche will include the lightweight, T-Hybrid system on the Panamera or any other product other than the 911. We know the Porsche 718 is going all-electric, but can a version of the mid-engine Porsche, powered by a T-Hybrid powertrain become a reality? The starting price for the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera is $122,095. Once again, the base 992.2 will be offered in Carrera (coupe), Cabriolet, and Targa form.

GALLERY