Known internally as the 992, the newcomer differs little from the outgoing 991.2 on the first glance, with the external changes being made up of electrically assisted pop-out door handles, new LED headlights, a 45mm wider front-end, wider wheel arches to accommodate the 20-inch alloy wheels at the front and 21-inches at the rear and a new bonnet.

As seen by the test mules, the 992 reserves its biggest revision for the rear, in the form of a wider stance, updated bumper, a new active rear spoiler and a thin, full-length LED light bar. With a width of 1 852 mm, the 992 is also wider than before, while the entire outer section of the skin is now constructed out of aluminium.

Unseen during the prototype stages, the interior has been extensively reworked with a look that mirrors the Panamera and Cayenne, although Porsche claims it took inspiration from 911’s dating back to the 1970’s when laying out the cabin.

Equipped with a new customisable digital instrument cluster that still places the rev-counter in the centre but loses the frames for the outer two dials, the Porsche Communication Management system is now resplendent on a bigger 10.9-inch display, while touch-sensitive buttons have been incorporated in the centre console.

Underneath its skin, the 992 mainly comes with updated dampers and a new Wet Mode for the Drive Mode Switch, while new driver assistance systems includes a camera-based Brake Assist system as standard and from the options list, a Night Vision Assist setup with a thermal imaging camera and Adaptive Cruise Control with Emergency Assist.

Unveiled in Carrera S and 4S guises, the mid-range engine in the 992 still displaces 3.0-litres with a turbocharger, but revised to produce 331kW, an uptake of 22kW over the 991.2. While top speed is rated at 308km/h for the S and 306km/h for the 4S, the former will get from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and the latter in 3.6 seconds, both 0.4 seconds quicker than the 991.2. With the optional Sport Chrono Package fitted, the benchmark acceleration time is further reduced by 0.2 seconds.

Initially, the 992 will be offered solely with the new eight-speed PDK gearbox that replaces the old seven-speed ‘box, although a seven-speed manual will be added at a later stage. Like the 991.2, the 992 will have the added of rear-wheel steering. Details on the entry-level Carrera, Turbo, GT2 and GT3 will be released at a later stage.

Coming to South Africa next year, the 992 will be priced at R1 708 000 for the Carrera S, with the 4S starting at R1 797 000.