Porsche 911 which Jeremy Clarkson hailed as ‘extraordinary’ faces the AXE unless it makes key change
A VERSION of the Porsche 911 that Jeremy Clarkson once hailed as “extraordinary” faces a brutal cull – unless it can make a key change.
The showstopping 911 GT3, one of the most iconic iterations of the world’s most famous nameplate, may only have around two years before it is turbocharged or electrified.
That’s according to Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger, who says the GT3 as it’s known and loved today will fail to get past increasingly stringent emissions regulations.
In an interview with Autocar, Preuninger opened up on the brand’s concerns around the new Euro 7 standards, which are coming from 2026.
He said: “It could live forever without the laws coming.
“I don’t think we can handle Euro 7 without electrification or without turbos.
“We can sell this car for another two years, but it depends on the markets.”
Euro 7 is coming
The next tier of EU regulations covering pollution from motor vehicles is nearly upon us… so buckle up.
Known as the Euro 7 standard, it will replace the previously used Euro 6 as the baseline for eco-friendliness.
Euro 7 is due to be introduced across Europe on July 1 2025 and will focus specifically on emissions produced thanks to “wear and tear” of parts – like the exhaust filter.
Darren Miller, policy expert from BigWantsYourCar, said: “The Euro 7 Emission regulations cover controlling particle emissions from braking and solid particle emissions, making sure vehicles emit less during operation and reduce other forms of pollution.
“All new cars sold from 2025 will have to emit no more than 60 milligrams of NOx to align with these standards, driving quick innovation and change among manufacturers.
“This includes added measures like monitoring general wear and tear, exhaust filters and engines through electronic sensors.
“This comes alongside stricter pre-production testing aimed at enhancing safety in various conditions, including closer monitoring of emissions on shorter trips and in higher temperatures up to 45C, ensuring cars in warmer regions do not pose a greater risk of emitting harmful pollutants.”
New cars and vans will have 30 months to comply with the rules, while any existing models will be given 42 months.
Beyond then, any motor not meeting the standard will be deemed non-compliant and could be subject to penalties.
In terms of manufacturers, this could mean sales restrictions and fines, but there may also be charges imposed on drivers directly.
Currently, the awesome power of the GT3 comes from a 4.0-litre engine – the same that has powered the GT3 since 2018 with the 991.2 generation – that is one of just two Porsche engines not to feature forced induction or a hybrid element.
In its current form, the engine is simply not compliant with the stringent emissions regulations that are on their way, and a solution must be found.
One suggestion could be to switch to a variation of the new hybrid system used by the 911 GTS.
This is a 3.6-litre turbocharged engine with a gearbox-mounted electric motor – capable of 473bhp – in a move that would copy workarounds already in place by the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari.
The 911 GT3 was first unveiled in 1999, during a transitional period for Porsche.
As part of the first generation of the Porsche 996 range, the 911 GT3 was envisioned as a track-ready motor that is also street legal.
Jeremy Clarkson, a long-time admirer of the 911 much like any other red-blooded petrolhead, described the first time he drove a 911 on a race track as “extraordinary” in a piece for Top Gear back in 2010.
On the GT3, he said he “loved it”, adding that “it goes round roundabouts like nothing I’ve ever driven. In a test of pure handling and grip, it would be a match for anything.”
Sun Motors’ editor Rob Gill got behind the wheel of the 911 Hybrid back in July.
In his thorough test drive, our supremo said that the 911 feels, sounds and smells like a 911, and describes it as “heroically fast when you bury your foot in the carpet”.
This comes as Porsche’s chief designer revealed his dream of making a smaller and more compact version of the brand’s iconic 911 – in a nod to its earlier years.
Car design guru Michael Mauer, who’s worked for the likes of Mercedes and Saab before joining Porsche in 2004, is keen for their next-generation 911 to be scaled-down – although he admits this could be a challenge.