911 Facelift, Z4 in Manual, and MK1 Golf turns 50

With the holidays ending, and a New Year beginning, there has been a lot of auto news. So in cased you missed it…

Porsche is preparing an updated version of the 911 which is going to be known as the 992.2 for the 2025 calendar year. Sporting an updated front and rear end, interior updates, and a 48-volt hybrid system. The new T-HEV hybrid system that is going to be the 911’s first step towards electrification. This won’t be a plug in system, but more of a charge as you drive design. It will generate an extra 80-90 hp. It is charged both by the combustion engine and the kinetic energy generated under braking. Unfortunately a manual gearbox is out of the question do to the complexity of the system. There is also going to be the inclusion of a new 3.6L flat-six that will be replacing the 3.0-liter boxer. 

Speaking of new engines for Porsche, the 996, a more financially accessible version of the 911, is getting a new engine swap option other than an LS swap. The team at Renn27 has opted to keep it German with an Audi 2.7-liter swap. Originally powering the B5 S4, RS4, and A6 of that era, the twin-turbo 2.7-Liter should be familiar to those who know Audi. The Audi engine was smaller, and weighed 50lbs less than the flat-six. The iron block also stands up to higher power output. The S4 spec producing 247 hp and 258 lb-ft, whereas the RS4-spec would provide 375 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque which was a solid upgrade from the naturally aspirated 300 hp, 258 lb-ft flat-six Porsche motor. Not only that, the Audi engines are also cheaper than the Porsche units and should be about $1000. But obviously a swap like this will need more than just a motor, so Renn27 has priced the conversion kit at $13,880, which gets you a fully custom computer setup, a unique exhaust setup, a new fan controller, radiator supports, and an upgraded clutch and flywheel. Base tunes should net you 450hp, but it can be increased should more power be needed.

BMW is keeping the manual transmission legacy alive! The 2024 Z4 will finally come with an option for the DIY transmission. This is the first time the G29 Z4 will be offered with a manual in the US. Borrowing from the recently released manual Supra. However, even though it has the same transmission, it has unique shift linkages, bushings, and a shorter gear lever. What’s also interesting is the fact that BMW seems to have listened to customer criticism of its recent manuals, saying they are rubbery and vague, and has given the Z4 a shorter, tighter shift throw. It will also be only available in the 3.0-litre six cylinder M40i. It also isn’t going to be a limited-run offering. BMW has stated they are planning to build as many as people are willing to buy. Production is expected to happen first quarter of 2024.

Originally debuting in Europe in 1974, VW sought to find a replacement for the Beetle. They decided on the Golf, originally known as the Type 17. The following year it reached the US then known as the Rabbit. The original Golf was sold with a range of inline-four engines. With displacement between 1093 cc and 1781 cc, and the more powerful GTI was powered by a 1.6 or 1.8-litre that pushed up to 110 hp. The release of the Golf took the world by storm. It was an affordable, reliable car that was fairly easy to maintain. The cumulative sales of all Golf generations has made it the most successful European car and best-selling VW of all time. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the beloved hatch.