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New 2017 Porsche 911 – Same Look, New Turbo Engine, Higher Prices

In 1998, Porsche forsook air-cooled engines and joined the modern auto world by equipping its 911 with water-cooled engines. 

For the 2017 model year, Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car will forsake naturally-aspirated engines and join much of the sports car business in forging ahead with turbocharged powerplants. 

Yes, the 911 Turbo won’t be the only 911 with a turbo. 

This group of images releases today by Porsche show more than just the new, 2017 911 – which, not surprisingly, looks very much the same as the current 911 – but also the new 3.0L twin-turbocharged engine. In basic Carrera form, the new 3.0L generates 370 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque at just 1700 rpm. The 3.0L turbo revs to 7500 rpm.

2017 Porsche 911 3.0L turbo

In 911 Carrera S form, the same 3.0L turbo boxer six-cylinder will produce 420 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Two generations ago, or a dozen years ago, the 996 911 Turbo produced 415 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque from a 3.6L twin-turbo.

In terms of handling news, rear-axle steering will be an available option on the 911 Carrera S.

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As for the interior, the 911’s new touchscreen enables Apple CarPlay.

Moving on to pricing, base 2017 911s will be on sale in the United States in March 2016 at $89,400. 

Plus options.

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera s rear red

The Carrera S adds $14,000 to the sticker. In either base 911 Carrera or 911 Carrera S trim, lopping the roof off to create a 911 Carrera Cabriolet adds $12,300.

911 pricing in the U.S. currently starts at $84,300. The new cars will be more fuel efficient, but not so efficient as to account for the 6% USD price increase.

Overall 911 sales in the United States are down 3.5% to 6789 units through the first eight months of 2015. In 2013, 911 sales rose to a six-year high and fell by only nine units last year. The 911 accounts for one out of every five Porsche sales in America and 46% of Porsche’s non-Cayenne/Macan U.S. volume.

2017 Porsche 911 cabriolet red

North of the border, Canadian pricing for the 2017 911 will begin at $102,200, up $6000, or 6%, from the current 911’s base price. The Carrera S will add $16,000 for a $118,200 starting point. Cabriolets in both trims add $14,000.

In Canada, 911 sales are up 10% to 640 units through 2015’s first eight months, equal to 47% of Porsche’s passenger car volume and 21% of Porsche’s total Canadian sales. At the current pace, Porsche Canada will break the 911’s one-year-old Canadian sales record.

2017 Porsche 911 3.0L twin turbo boxer six
2017 Porsche 911 interior
2017 Porsche 911 cabriolet cutaway

2017 Porsche 911 cabriolet front grey
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera grey

2017 Porsche 911 Carrera s rear
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S rear red
2017 Porsche 911 Carrera S red front

Timothy Cain is the founder of GoodCarBadCar.net, which obsesses over the free and frequent publication of U.S. and Canadian auto sales figures. Follow on Twitter @goodcarbadcar and on Facebook.