The bulk of Porsche’s vaunted 911 range will be getting updates through the end of the year as the German carmaker works to keep pace with new competitors from Japan and the United States. A range of new technologies and new engines will be the focus of the updates but, as these spy images show, exterior styling changes will be minimal, even for the potent 911 Turbo and Turbo Cabrio models.

The updated Turbo and Tubro Cabrio haven’t yet been officially announced, unlike the Carrera and Carrera S, which were released earlier this month. Nevertheless, leaked documents and spy photos show the company is in fact working on facelifted models expected to be revealed late this year.

More power thanks to better technology
The facelifted 911 Turbo range is expected to get an extra 15kW to give it an edge over the new Nissan GT-R and return it to supremacy at the Nurburgring’s Nordschleife, or Northern Loop. The power gain is due to the addition of a new direct-injection fuel system, which is also expected to improve fuel efficiency. In the updated 911 Carrera S, the direct-injection system netted improvements of 12.8% in fuel efficiency and 14.5% in carbon-dioxide emissions due to the more even dispersion of fuel droplets and the more complete burn that results.

Porsche has already applied direct injection technology to the 4.8-litre V8 Cayenne SUV but implementing the technology in the flat-six of the 911 models has been a more daunting task - although the payoff of greater power, torque, fuel-efficiency and emissions ratings was an enticing incentive for Porsche. The hard work will now pay off both on the road and at the track.

In line with the changes in the rest of the 911 range, the engine in the updated Turbo will also sport larger displacement combustion chambers, a new crankshaft and an upgraded oil and water pump. All of these features combine to create a more reliable and more powerful engine than the famous 3.6-litre turbocharged flat-six it replaces. Power levels will likely wind up near 375kW, which combined with the quick-shifting seven-speed Doppel Kupplung (dual-clutch) gearbox should ensure quicker acceleration and track times.

Small exterior tweaks keep styling fresh
Visually, the car is expected to receive larger front air intakes and new fog-lights in the front bumper, giving a more aggressive look. At the rear are a new set of LED taillights and a new diffuser similar to that on the new GT3. Daytime running lights may be added, as well as optional upgrades to larger wheels.

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