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New 911 Turbo Prototypes Spotted at the Nürburgring
Porsche's development team continues to refine the refreshed 911 Turbo lineup. Recent spy photos from the Nürburgring show two heavily camouflaged prototypes wearing a retractable rear spoiler that tucks neatly into the rear cowl—a detail that suggests these cars could be early examples of the 992.2 Turbo or a potential Touring package aimed at buyers seeking a more understated high-performance 911.
Visual cues and drivetrain clues
Both prototypes share styling traits borrowed from the 911 Turbo S: wide rear haunches, active front shutters and centerlock wheels. One car carries a quad-rectangle exhaust setup while the other features twin oval outlets—both designs appear to be carryovers from the Turbo S. Side intakes on both cars were taped up in the photos, leaving room for suspicion about final aero and cooling layouts.
Pirelli tires and large multi-piston brakes hint at serious pace, and although there’s no obvious high-voltage badge in the images, many enthusiasts expect a hybridized ‘e-turbo’ boxer to play a role in boosting power and torque for the 2026 Turbo models.
Powertrain possibilities and performance expectations
Porsche’s move to a T-Hybrid system already pushed the Turbo S to an astonishing 701 hp and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) for 2026. The current 992.1 Turbo produced around 572 hp and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm), so a 2026 Turbo topping 600 hp is entirely plausible—especially if Porsche uses electrification to fill torque gaps and sharpen throttle response.
Compare that to the Carrera GTS, a single-turbo model with roughly 532 hp and 449 lb-ft (about 610 Nm). The hybrid Turbo S leaves Porsche ample headroom to reposition a refreshed Turbo model between the Carrera and Turbo S without cannibalizing sales.
Touring package: rumor vs. reality
The biggest rumor circulating is a Touring variant for the Turbo—one that might follow the spirit of past ‘Touring’ models by softening visual aggression and catering to enthusiasts who prefer stealthy performance. Some whispers even suggest Porsche could offer a manual transmission and rear-wheel-drive setup for this spec, an idea that excites purists but raises engineering questions given the hybridized twin-turbo powertrain.
A manual Turbo combined with hybrid systems would be a complex undertaking, but not impossible. If Porsche manages it, performance could eclipse recent limited-run models like the 911 Sport Classic—which was rated at 543 hp and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) and priced from roughly $272,300 in the US. By contrast, a Turbo S sticker of about $270,300 today shows how quickly a special Touring or Sport Classic-derived Turbo could reach stratospheric prices.
Highlights:
- Spy shots show retractable rear spoiler and Turbo S-like styling
- Exhausts: quad-rectangle and twin oval variants observed
- Expect hybrid-assisted power, likely in excess of 600 hp for 2026
- Rumors of manual gearbox and possible RWD are unconfirmed but intriguing
What this means for buyers and the market
There are three realistic outcomes: Porsche launches a true technical rework—hybrid power with revised outputs and possibly a Touring-focused tune; the Touring is primarily a visual and interior-focused package (similar to GT3 Touring); or Porsche revives Sport Classic sensibilities within a Turbo package, delivering a limited, high-priced halo car. All scenarios would clarify Porsche's strategy for differentiating Turbo, Turbo S and special editions in the 992.2 lifecycle.
"Whatever the final configuration, these prototypes look worthy of the Turbo badge," says one enthusiast forum contributor—an understatement that reflects the high expectations for Porsche’s next move. For now, the Nürburgring images provide a tantalizing glimpse, but official confirmation will have to come from Zuffenhausen.
Stay tuned: as more development mules emerge and Porsche releases technical details, we'll update with specs, pricing expectations and how any Touring pack might slot into the 911 lineup.
Source: autoevolution
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