Cars

2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Hybrid Outperforms Predecessor Despite Weight Gain

The automotive industry constantly strives for enhanced performance, often balancing power with weight. Porsche's latest 911 Carrera GTS coupe for 2025 showcases a significant leap in this evolution. Despite an increase of 239 pounds compared to its 2022 predecessor, the new T-Hybrid system propels the vehicle to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds, three-tenths quicker than before. This remarkable achievement defies conventional expectations, demonstrating that strategic technological advancements can overcome the inherent challenges of added mass. The integration of electric power not only elevates raw speed but also refines the overall driving experience, ensuring that performance gains are accessible and seamlessly delivered.

In the meticulous evaluations conducted by Car and Driver, the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS exhibited a notable improvement in its 0-60 mph sprint time. While the 2022 model, equipped with a launch control system, achieved 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, the newer version shaved off a remarkable three-tenths, hitting the mark in 2.5 seconds. This advancement is particularly impressive given that the 2025 model carries an additional 239 pounds, moving from the 992.1 generation to the 992.2. Both tested vehicles were fitted with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which remains the sole option for the newly introduced hybrid variant.

The underlying factor behind this enhanced performance is the innovative T-Hybrid system. While the previous 911 GTS featured a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six engine, the 2025 model is powered by a larger 3.6-liter single-turbo engine, which, surprisingly, is about 40 pounds lighter on its own. However, the hybrid components contribute to the overall weight gain. The electric motor, seamlessly integrated into the PDK gearbox, provides a continuous boost of 53 horsepower, with potential bursts of up to 64 horsepower for short durations. This electric assistance elevates the total output of the new GTS to a combined 532 horsepower and 449 pound-feet of torque, representing increases of 59 and 29, respectively, over the outgoing model.

The performance advantages of the 2025 GTS extend beyond the initial acceleration. In quarter-mile tests, the new model completed the distance in 10.6 seconds at 131 mph, outperforming the 2022 version's 10.9 seconds at 128 mph. The hybrid system's impact is even more pronounced in rolling acceleration scenarios, where the 3638-pound 2025 model required only 3.1 seconds to accelerate from 5 to 60 mph, significantly quicker than the 3399-pound 2022 model's 3.9 seconds. Similarly, in top-gear acceleration, the newer GTS achieved 50-70 mph in 2.5 seconds, compared to its predecessor's 2.7 seconds.

Beyond straight-line performance, the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS maintains its composure in braking and cornering. It stops from 70 mph in a mere 140 feet, three feet less than the previous model. On the skidpad, the 2025 model, equipped with Goodyear Eagle F1 SuperSport R summer tires, recorded an impressive 1.07 g. The 2022 model, running on Pirelli P Zero PZ4 tires, still delivered a commendable 1.06 g. These figures underscore that despite the additional weight, Porsche has masterfully engineered the T-Hybrid system to not only boost speed but also preserve and even enhance the car's dynamic capabilities, ensuring a seamless and engaging driving experience.

Volvo's Milestone: One Million Plug-In Hybrids Produced

Volvo has reached a significant production milestone, celebrating one million plug-in hybrid vehicles. This achievement underscores the brand's pioneering role in vehicle electrification and its unwavering commitment to innovation and safety, setting a benchmark for the automotive industry's transition towards sustainable mobility.

Driving the Future: Volvo's Electrification Journey and Unmatched Progress

Volvo's Remarkable Achievement in Hybrid Vehicle Production

In a notable industry announcement, Volvo Cars has proudly revealed that its total production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) has surpassed the one million mark. This significant milestone showcases the Swedish automaker's dedicated strategy towards electrification and its leading position in the evolving automotive landscape. Despite global challenges impacting manufacturing and supply chains, Volvo's consistent progress in hybrid technology demonstrates a clear and effective path towards a more sustainable future.

Volvo's Enduring Legacy of Safety and Pioneering Advancements

Since its inception in 1927, Volvo has been synonymous with safety. The company's contributions to automotive safety are extensive, from Nils Bohlin's invention of the three-point safety belt in 1959 to the introduction of rear-facing child seats in 1972 and booster cushions in 1978. This commitment extends to modern initiatives like "Equal Vehicles for All" in 2019, which shares safety research freely worldwide. This deep-rooted focus on protecting occupants has consistently driven Volvo's innovations, now extending to how it approaches vehicle electrification.

The Pioneering Path to a Fully Electric Future

Volvo's leadership in electrification is evident in its early adoption and widespread integration of plug-in hybrid technology. The company introduced its first PHEV, a diesel hybrid V60 estate, in 2012. For many years, Volvo was a sole innovator in offering PHEV variants across its entire model range. This foresight has resulted in impressive market performance, with the XC60 PHEV emerging as Europe's top-selling plug-in hybrid in 2024. With five out of eleven models currently offering PHEV options and six with fully electric alternatives, Volvo is firmly on track to achieve its ambitious goal of having all models as either PHEV or fully electric by 2030, a testament to its forward-thinking vision.

Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Automotive Electrification

While some manufacturers have built their brands entirely around electric vehicles, legacy automakers like Volvo face a complex transition. Shifting from internal combustion engines to fully electric powertrains demands substantial investment in factory upgrades, resource reallocation, safety system modernization, and establishing new supplier networks. Despite these hurdles, Volvo has shown remarkable agility. The period leading up to 2024 saw a dramatic increase in its PHEV sales, climbing from 46,000 to 177,000 units annually. This growth, coupled with Volvo Trucks achieving a leading 17.9% market share in Europe, highlights the company's comprehensive success across diverse automotive sectors. Volvo's ability to manage these transitions effectively while maintaining its core values is a significant accomplishment worthy of recognition in an ever-changing global market.

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Volvo XC90 Embraces the All-Black SUV Trend

Volvo has expanded its acclaimed Black Edition series to include the XC90, its prominent mid-size luxury SUV. This latest offering, which features an elegant all-black aesthetic for both the exterior and interior, signifies Volvo's response to the rising popularity of 'murdered-out' vehicles across the automotive industry. The XC90 Black Edition is available for both plug-in and mild hybrid variants, reinforcing its appeal in a competitive segment.

First launched a decade ago, the Volvo XC90 has consistently seen updates and refinements, maintaining its status as a stylish and desirable option in the luxury SUV market. The 2025 model year brought a comprehensive refresh, featuring a modernized exterior, an updated dashboard, a new infotainment system, and an enhanced suspension setup. These improvements laid the groundwork for the introduction of the Black Edition, which aims to provide an even sportier and more distinctive appearance.

The Black Edition's exterior boasts a high-gloss black finish applied to key elements such as the grille, the iconic iron mark logo, rear badges, and wheels. While previous Black Editions were often restricted to Onyx Black paint, the XC90 Black Edition offers more color choices, including Crystal White, Denim Blue, and Vapour Grey, allowing customers to opt for a contrasting look if desired. This flexibility in color choice adds a layer of personalization for buyers seeking a unique aesthetic.

Inside the cabin, the all-black theme continues with two distinct interior environments. Both options feature a charcoal headlining and elegant checkered aluminum decor, providing a sophisticated and cohesive feel. The charcoal seats are available in a choice of two material options, allowing for further customization to match individual preferences. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that the Black Edition’s dark aesthetic is carried throughout the vehicle, from the bold exterior to the refined interior.

Erik Severinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Volvo Cars, highlighted the customer demand behind this expansion, stating that the company is broadening its Black Edition lineup, now encompassing the XC90. This strategy ensures that Volvo offers a \"timeless and confident-looking Black Edition\" for customers across various vehicle sizes. This approach acknowledges the market's preference for dark, sleek designs that exude a sense of modern luxury and sportiness.

The XC90 Black Edition joins an expanding family of blackened Volvo models, including the XC60, EX40, XC40, and EC40 (formerly known as the C40 Recharge). An EX30 Black Edition, for Volvo’s smallest electric vehicle, is also anticipated soon, which will bring the total number of Black Edition Volvos to six. This robust offering demonstrates Volvo’s commitment to capitalizing on the widespread popularity of all-black vehicles, especially within the SUV category, where rivals such as the Audi Q7 (with its Black Optic Package) and Lincoln Aviator (with its Jet Appearance Package) also cater to this trend.

Volvo's Black Edition distinguishes itself by extending the darkened treatment to the interior, an aspect that some competitors do not fully embrace. While the XC60 Black Edition carries an approximately $11,000 premium over its standard counterpart, this gives an indication of the expected additional cost for the XC90 Black Edition. The new XC90 Black Edition is set to be available in various trims, with specific configurations for markets like the UK, ensuring that this stylish and sophisticated SUV reaches a broad audience seeking a distinctive, all-black vehicle.

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