Porsche claims this is an all-new engine generation, but we'll have to wait for the technical backgrounder to fully divine what that means. Here's what we know: the displacement is 3 liters for both the Carrera and Carrera S. Both feature twin-turbochargers (Porsche hasn't stated if they're twin-scroll units, but that's a safe assumption), and the S version makes more horsepower (420 versus 370 in the base car) using an engine tune, different exhaust system, and revised turbo compressor blades.
Compared to the outgoing Carrera, the new engine is down 0.4 liters of displacement but gains 20 hp. The S version is down 0.8 liters, but also up 20 hp. Both versions benefit from a much earlier torque peak as well as a seriously increased amount of overall torque. The old 911 Carrera made 287 lb-ft at 5600 RPM and the Carrera S made 325 lb-ft at 5600 RPM. For 2017, the peak torque is 331 and 368 lb-ft respectively, and for both engines peak torque is available from 1700 to 5000 RPM—falling off well before the engine's 7500 RPM redline. That's a big torque spread starting out significantly lower than the current cars, and it should make a huge impact on the car's character.
Quicker? Yes. 0-60 times fall to 4 and 3.7 seconds, both 0.2 seconds faster than the respective 2016 models, with the Sport Chrono package. Faster? Also, yes—183 and 191 mph, respectively. Does it turn better? Probably. PASM (active suspension) is now standard, and rear-axle steering cribbed from the 911 Turbo and GT3 is now an option on the S. Rear tires on all models are now a half-inch wider. Porsche claims the new Carrera S will run the 'Ring 10 seconds faster than the previous car, at 7 minutes 30 seconds.
