Non-GT3 Porsche 911s Will All Soon Be Turbocharged

With the exception of the GT3 models, it looks like the days of the naturally-aspirated Porsche 911 are rather numbered. Adding considerable stock to the numerous reports that were floating around in the second half of 2014, Top Gear spoke to Porsche’s engineering chief Wolfgang Hatz at the Detroit Motor Show, who confirmed that the end was most likely nigh for N/A engines in most of the 911 range. He said that the company is “thinking turbos” for regular 911s, as that’s one of the few feasible ways of hitting ever tougher emissions regulations. The new engines will probably be slotted into the range for its facelift, due in 2016.

Hatz also talked about future 911 hybrids, and also - you’ll be pleased to hear - ruled out the Boxster and Cayman’s incoming four-pot engines making an appearance in the back of any 911.

The move to turbos is - of course - an inevitability, but that doesn’t make it any less of a shame. It also makes you wonder if the 991-generation - set to be the last of the N/A 911s - will one day be held in the same sort of high regard the 993 enjoys for being the final air-cooled Porkers.