2012 Porsche 911: What's New, Specs & Features

Last updated August 4, 2026

The biggest change for 2012 is the debut of the all-new 991-generation Carrera and Carrera S. It is a major transition year rather than a complete lineup redesign, because many other 911 versions remained based on the outgoing 997 generation.

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About the 2012 Porsche 911

Split-generation year: all-new 991 Carrera and Carrera S launched; 997 generation in its final year for most other trims.

Porsche positions the 911 as its everyday-usable sports car: compact, rear-engined and recognizable, yet practical enough for regular road use. Its defining differences are precise steering, strong braking, a broad range from comfortable Carrera models to track-focused GT cars, and the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive. The 2012 range especially shows that breadth, spanning two generations, coupe, Cabriolet and Targa bodies, and naturally aspirated or twin-turbo flat-six engines.

The redesigned 991 Carrera was the more modern everyday 911, with a roomier-feeling cabin, a seven-speed manual transmission, touchscreen navigation, and Bluetooth. The older 997 generation still covered much of the wider range, including glass-roof Targa models, all-wheel-drive Carreras, the 530-hp Turbo S, and track-focused cars such as the 620-hp GT2 RS.

What changed, by category

Powertrain

The new 991 Carrera used a 350-hp 3.4-liter flat-six, while the 991 Carrera S received a 400-hp 3.8-liter flat-six. Both introduced a seven-speed manual transmission, with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic fitted to some cars; the remaining 997 versions kept their established powertrains.

Styling

The 991 Carrera and Carrera S introduced a longer, lower body with reshaped headlights and slimmer rear lights. The 997-based versions retained their existing designs.

Safety

The new 991 body added knee airbags and revised coordination between its stability-control systems. This was not a lineup-wide change for the remaining 997 models.

Tech

The 991 Carrera and Carrera S gained a more modern cabin with standard touchscreen navigation, Bluetooth, and updated controls.

Structural

The 991 Carrera models moved to a longer wheelbase and a lighter body made from aluminum and steel. The other 997-based models retained the previous all-steel structure.

2012 Porsche 911 specs and features by trim

Feature	2012 Porsche 911GT30 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Turbo0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911GT2 RS1 in stock	2012 Porsche 911GT3 RS0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Targa 40 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Turbo S0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Targa 4S0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera 40 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera S1 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Speedster0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera 4S0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911GT3 RS 4.00 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera 9911 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera 9971 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera GTS0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera 4 GTS0 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera S 9910 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera S 9970 in stock	2012 Porsche 911Carrera Black Edition0 in stock
Engine	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter	6-Cyl, Twin Turbo, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 4.0 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.4 Liter / 6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.8 Liter	6-Cyl, 3.6 Liter
Transmission	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Auto, 7-Spd PDK Manual	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Auto, 7-Spd PDK Manual	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 7-Spd	Manual, 7-Spd / Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 7-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd	Manual, 6-Spd
Drivetrain	RWD	AWD	RWD	RWD	AWD	AWD	AWD	AWD	RWD	RWD	AWD	RWD	RWD	RWD	RWD	AWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Fuel Type	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas	Gas
MPG City	14 mpg	16–17 mpg	16 mpg	14 mpg	18 mpg	16–17 mpg	18 mpg	18 mpg	19 mpg	19 mpg	18 mpg		19–20 mpg	19 mpg	19 mpg	18 mpg	19 mpg	19 mpg	19 mpg
MPG Highway	21 mpg	24–25 mpg	23 mpg	21 mpg	26 mpg	24–25 mpg	27 mpg	26 mpg	27 mpg	27 mpg	26–27 mpg		27–28 mpg	27 mpg	26–27 mpg	26–27 mpg	27 mpg	27 mpg	27 mpg
Horsepower	435 hp	500 hp	620 hp	450 hp	345 hp	530 hp	345 hp	345 hp	345 hp	408 hp	345 hp	500 hp	345–350 hp	345 hp	408 hp	408 hp	345 hp	345 hp	345 hp
Torque	317 lb-ft	480 lb-ft	516 lb-ft	317 lb-ft	288 lb-ft	516 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	288 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	339 lb-ft	287–288 lb-ft	288 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	310 lb-ft	288 lb-ft
Trunk/Cargo	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	3.7 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft	4.8 cu-ft
Seats	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Doors	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2	2
Safety & Security
Adaptive Headlights
Alarm System
Front & Rear Parking Sensors
Rear Parking Sensors
Exterior Features
Alloy Wheels
Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors
Fog Lights
LED Tail Lights
Memory Exterior Mirrors
Power Moonroof
Power Folding Exterior Mirrors
Power Retractable Soft Top
Rear Spoiler
Roof Rails
Entertainment & Electronics
Bluetooth
Front DVD Entertainment System
Navigation System
Premium Audio
Satellite Radio
Smartphone Interface
Comfort & Convenience
Auto-Dimming Interior Mirror
Automatic Air Conditioning
Dual Power Front Seats
Dual-Zone Climate Control
Folding Rear Seat
Heated Front Seats
Heated Steering Wheel
Leather Interior Trim
Leather Seats
Memory Driver's Seat
Rear Window Shades
Ventilated Front Seats

How the 2013 Porsche 911 compares

The biggest change for the 2013 Porsche 911 is the expansion of the newer 991-generation Carrera range. Cabriolet body styles and redesigned all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 and 4S models arrived, while the Turbo and Turbo S continued on the older 997 platform.

See the full 2013 changes

Frequently asked questions

Is every 2012 Porsche 911 a 991-generation car?

No. The redesigned 991 generation initially covered the rear-wheel-drive Carrera and Carrera S, while many 2012 all-wheel-drive, Targa, Turbo, and GT versions remained part of the older 997 generation.

How can I tell a 2012 991 Carrera from a 997 Carrera?

The 991 is longer and lower, with a longer wheelbase, slimmer rear lights, electromechanical steering, and a more modern touchscreen cabin. The 997 has the older, more compact body and hydraulic steering.

What engines are in the new 2012 991 Carrera models?

The 2012 991 Carrera has a 350-hp 3.4-liter flat-six, and the 991 Carrera S has a 400-hp 3.8-liter flat-six. Both are naturally aspirated, meaning they do not use turbochargers.

Did the 2012 Porsche 911 switch to electromechanical steering?

Only the new 991-generation Carrera and Carrera S switched to electromechanical steering for 2012. The 997-based versions retained their earlier steering setup.

Is the 2012 Porsche 911 significantly different from the 2011 model?

Yes, if the car is a 991-generation Carrera or Carrera S. Those models brought a new body, longer wheelbase, new engines, electromechanical steering, a seven-speed manual, and an updated cabin; many other 2012 versions remained closely related to their 2011 997 counterparts.