View Photos of the 2020 Porsche 911

This won't be surprising, but Porsche doesn't take any changes lightly, particularly to its flagship 911 sports car. But something that reminds us all over again just how carefully every piece of this rear-engined puzzle is considered is hearing the man in charge of 911 development since the 2005 997 generation, August Achleitner, describe with a combination of anguish, reverence, and consternation the decision to remove the capability for manual shifting using the shift lever of the PDK automatic on this new 992-generation car. Before you start circling the Porsche-club wagons, there's still a manual mode controlled by steering-wheel paddles; it's just that the lever itself is now a little joystick toggle, just like in the 918 Spyder supercar. And it doesn't strike us as a terribly big deal.

But the 911 is Porsche, so we understand the desire to proceed with care. This 992-generation model-which grows wider, boasts incremental power gains.

The new generation launches with the 2020 S and 4S models, which make their debut at the Los Angeles auto show and go on sale first, hitting the U.S. market in the summer of 2019.

Initially they'll come only with the joystick shifter and the new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but the seven-speed manual returns later in 2019 as the inevitable tide of additional 911 variants starts to roll out.

Don't worry, we have a few tips for identifying the 2020 Porsche 911 you see here as the new model, since it mostly resembles the last 911-and the 911 before that, and the 911 before that . . . Take a look at this 911's taillights, which stretch the full width of its tail, and the squared-off hood; both flourishes are a departure from the previous 911. Meanwhile, every 911 will now come with the wider bodywork previously reserved for all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 models and other special trims, as well as more horsepower, a new automatic gearbox, and a classy interior that's at once high-tech and vaguely retro. So far, Porsche has revealed only the Carrera S and 4S models. Expect many, many more 911 variants to appear shortly.-Alexander Stoklosa

While the 911 is a defining example in automotive evolution, there are a few identifiers on this new model that make it easy to spot.

Porsche's venerable sports car gets chassis tweaks, slightly more powerful turbo engines, and many new features as it enters the 992 generation.

Porsche's venerable sports car gets chassis tweaks, slightly more powerful turbo engines, and many new features as it enters the 992 generation.

The 911 also gains new tech such as a 360-degree camera display as well as a night-vision feature.

In what appears to be a quick adaptation from the Panamera's layout with numerous haptic controls that surround the shifter (which we've found fussy to use), the 911 doesn't have any. But that leaves a large section of blank gloss-black plastic trim.

Despite weight-saving measures such as rear fenders that are now made out of aluminum-they extend all the way from the rear taillights to ahead of the doors and require nine processes to stamp them-the new car is no lighter overall.

Porsche's venerable sports car gets chassis tweaks, slightly more powerful turbo engines, and many new features as it enters the 992 generation.

But part of that increase over today's $106,150 and $113,050, respectively, is that the PDK automatic is now standard rather than a $3210 upcharge.

Porsche's venerable sports car gets chassis tweaks, slightly more powerful turbo engines, and many new features as it enters the 992 generation.

The manual becomes a no-cost option and, effectively, a lot more expensive.