The next-generation Porsche 911 has just been spied in the midst of testing for the very first time. While the German automaker only recently introduced the mid-life facelift for the 991-generation model, it clearly isn’t wasting any time in developing the all-new car.

From a visual standpoint, this future 911 prototype is sporting many of the same body panels as the existing car but they will of course be changed for the completed model. The only real giveaway that this is something special are the flared rear wheel arches as well as the interesting protruding fuel cap.

The next-generation Porsche 911 will prove particularly important for the company as from the outset, it will be designed to accommodate a hybrid powertrain, a first for a road-going Porsche sports car. Details about the impending 911 hybrid remain scarce but there’s a chance it could borrow the supercharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder of the Cayenne and Panamera hybrids and joined with an electric motor. There’s also a chance Porsche will fit an electric motor alongside its latest turbo’d four-cylinder set to debut in the new Cayman/Boxster.

Elsewhere in the next-gen 911 range, we expect the same array of variants that currently exist. That means everything from the standard Carrera through to the range-topping 911 GT3 RS. At this stage, it remains unclear if Porsche will release a new GT2 based around the next-gen 911.