Direct-Injection to Boost Porsche 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 Performance

If there’s one thing we can be sure of year in and year out, it’s that Porsche will be back next year with the same old horizontally-opposed six cylinder engines hanging behind the rear axle of its legendary 911 models. It’s a formula no-one in their right mind would mess with, especially considering how successful the German car manufacturer is in sales and profits.

Although, while the general layout of the car has stayed the same since it was introduced in 1964, it’s only identical in spirit. Every millimeter of its exterior surfaces, interior appointments and running gear have been reworked numerous times, as has that “same old horizontally-opposed six cylinder” engine. Just the same, the base engine has nearly doubled in size from 2.0 liters to 3.6, and while it was once cooled by air alone it’s now water-cooled, allowing for a four-valve cylinder head and much higher output. Never satisfied, Porsche has added another change to 2009 models that promises similar levels of advancement, the integration of direct-injection that will not only increase power and torque, but also make the cars more fuel efficient and therefore greener.

While we previously reported on the regular 911 range getting direct injection for its 3.6- and 3.8-liter engines, boosting output to 345 and 385 horsepower respectively, now Porsche has announced what we already expected, that its 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 models will also feature the technology along with the adoption of the A91 flat-six powerplant.

As is the case currently, Porsche will once again offer two turbocharged cars for ‘09, the regular 911 Turbo and the upgraded GT2. According to British magazine Autocar, output is expected to increase by about 20 horsepower apiece, with the “entry-level” Turbo sporting 500 horsepower and the upgraded GT2 managing 550. Torque is expected to grow by about four-percent.

The lightweight GT3 will soldier on in naturally aspirated form, although it will get the new 911 Carrera S model’s 3.8-liter six with output increasing from its current 415 to a heady 430.