I think changing to the new BMW M4 will satisfy your craving for more low end torque while providing similar power and handling characteristics to your 991. If you still want a 911, you must get a Turbo.

 

I like LunarX's suggestion of a supercharger/compressor better than a Turbo!

 

I absolutely agree with the OP. Low-end torque is missing from all of Porsche's n/a boxer engines.
The next gen, or maybe even the facelift will get downsized, turbocharged engines over the whole line-up (except GT3). Porsche has to, because of some EU environmental regulations and to meet EU6 requirements.

This is good and bad news... It adds more low end torque, but the downside will be that the engines won't rev as high and the sound will be not as nice as it is now. Another downside is the throttle respons. Although way better than previous generations in the 991TT(S), it still is not as good as a n/a 991.

So... Supercharger may be the right answer...? I have no idea if it is as efficient as a turbocharger. If I'm correct, a supercharger also doesn't block exhaust sound?

Suzy991 (iOS app)

 

Don't care about low end torque, but Suzy is right. Porsche will have to find a way to comply to the ever stricter rules :-(

And I for one don't want to see a turbo in every variant. Like Suzy said, gone is the sound, gone are the revs, gone is the throttle respons.

And while I'm certainly no expert, I think a supercharger/compressor could be an answer to the downsizing/legislation on one hand and to the call for a sporty driving experience on the other hand.

Correct me if I'm wrong. But I presume the SC/compressor can give more power, more torque than regular NA. But it has some tech advantages over a turbo too. It drives of the crank or pulley, so it's linear to the revs, so throttle respons should be ok, no turbo lags either. Has a nicer sound, from the system itself (SC whine instead of turbo airsuck) and from the fact that it doesn't consume/recycle exhaust gasses. SC makes probably less absolute bhp than a turbo, but a 911 was never about absolute power for me so ...

For me, if Porsch HAS to change. Make it a downsized flat six with a compressor.

 

I had a C6 Corvette with more low end torque than the car could handle and it was no where near as much fun as driving the 991. It was a lot less expensive, though.

ChuckJ

 

The 918 is built to solve all those issues, a bit pricey though.

 

It just needs a nice electric motor for the front wheels to deliver a powerfull instant 100Nm or more of RPM independent torque when you need it. The NA engine is just fine for everything else.

This is where it is heading. None of the disadvantages of either turbo or supercharger. Just makes sense.

Rainier

 

Thanks Rainier. Interesting perspective on how to keep N/A engines, address the emissions laws and add some low end torque. Only issue will be the weight of batteries but this can be addressed.

 

I think the Carrera TDI is just around the corner. Solves all your torque needs.

 

You got that right. The larger amount of low end torque can work against you on the street; first and second gear were totally useless in my heavily modded C6 Z51 and my ZO6. I was forced to use MT drag radials on the street and still needed to feather the throttle in first gear.

The 991S Manual can be a terrific "red-light bandit" if you know how to drive the car.

I also should mention that some on this board who are complaining about Porsche's low-end torque don't even own a Porsche, and probably have never driven one. Just saying.

 

porsche always seems to gear their cars a bit too tall. This has the effect of making them seem a little wimpy at the low revs.

It would be great if porsche just geared down a bit. I've heard a few pros such as Randy Pobst echo the same sentiments.....

 

That is happening right now.
Type "Graphene supercapacitors" into Google.

No crappy Lithium batteries needed. Technology is almost ready. In our case we just need extra energy during fast acceleration with the ability to recharge that energy very fast either from braking or via the engine when spare capacity is available (almost always).
So we are talking a KERS system. The Graphene battery would almost be tiny and weight not an issue.

Graphene batteries currently are around 1/3 to 1/2 the energy density of Lithium battery by weight but charge instant with a huge discharge current ability and almost unlimited lifetime (very little battery deterioration after many cycles). They are not chemical "batteries" but capacitors. This is simply crying for application in our 911. Seems there is no reason it could not be done now.

Rainier

 

Guys, this is a great discussion and thank you all. Where I miss torque is at a stop light. Getting of the line - getting to third gear, seems slow. Once there, I can just hit the magic PDK button to drop a gear and wow. But I have a mustang with a 4:10 gear (not a fair comparison I know). But even a light touch on the gas and without the tach doing much I am off. I miss that. In know it is a different car, a different driving experience, and that the likely answer is that I should not be such a you know what about hitting the gas harder at the light. But, I mostly drive in NJ and mostly on local roads and small highways, and, as it is JerZ, there is always a crowd. Since it is hard to go more than 40 because of traffic, lights, toll boths and the fuzz looking to up my tax rate a few hundred dollars at a time, big torque is more useful than a lot of ponies.

 

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I think you are in the wrong car for you. You can try to make it something it is not with mods and driving it in upper revs etc... or you can move on and trade it for something that suits you better. Since it's not a rush, go out and test drive some other makes. I truly believe we are in a golden age with a ton of great sports cars. The 991 is too expensive to not deliver what YOU want in a sports car.

 

I don't take it the wrong way and thanks for the comment. I actually like the drive of the 991 more than the mustang. I love my mustang but it is very one note. It is a good note! Driving down the shore with the top down on a warm summer night - it is wonderful. And I have loved them since I was a kid. I am not a kid anymore and I find that while I want to spice up the Porsche, I want to tone the mustang down - softer suspension (Ford racing upgrade), less aggressive exhaust (from the manifold back Ford racing exhaust), and 4:10 gear (might want to step back to something less).


But the Porsche drives very differently and I like it very much in the curves, in overall acceleration, in the feeling of confidence that if give. and from a style standpoint - well.


And NJ is not the best place for any type of car. Our weather stinks, our roads stink, there are too many cars, cops, deer, pedestrians, etc. No, If I cold get some low end torque, without going crazy and turning the car into something it isn't, and without shelling out for a Turbo, that would be great. If not, I will debate with myself for a while about the new Targa S, and likely just keep the fantastic car that I have.


Still, any ideas are welcome. Thanks all.