By Otsile Kadiege

Porsche is extending the model range of the recently updated 911 (992.2) with the addition of the light, dynamic 911 Carrera T. Weight-reduction measures, dynamic tuning and a six-speed manual transmission make this a puristic Carrera for superlative driving pleasure. With its lightweight windows, reduced insulation and six-speed manual transmission, the lightest configuration of the new 911 Carrera T, with full bucket seats, weighs just 1,478 kilograms. Equipped like that, the car is more than 40 kg lighter than the current 911 Carrera. For the first time, the Porsche 911 Carrera T is also available as a cabriolet.

Brief history on the Carrera T

The ‘T’ stands for Touring, and at Porsche this goes all the way back to the homologation of the 911 T as a touring car in 1968. The first 911 T was produced up to 1973. Since 2017, the 911 Carrera T has been back in the model range, positioned between the Carrera and the Carrera S. Pure driving pleasure, agile handling, emotive sound and a focus on the essentials are the distinguishing features of this rear-wheel drive sports car.

Performance

Powering the Porsche 911 Carrera T is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine of the 911 Carrera. It delivers 290 kW and develops torque of up to 450 Nm. A standard six-speed manual transmission transfers the drive power to the rear axle. When shifting down, an intermediate throttle function (auto-blip) can be selected to automatically and specifically compensate speed differences between the engine and the gearbox.

With the standard Sport Chrono Package, the Carrera T Coupé sprints to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.5 seconds (Cabriolet: 4.7 seconds). Its top speed is 295 km/h (Cabriolet: 293 km/h). In line with its increased power compared to its predecessor, the Carrera has a bigger braking system with an all-round brake disc diameter of 350 millimetres and six-piston fixed callipers at the front. Another standard feature is the sports exhaust system which is said to be more audible thanks to reduced interior insulation.

Model-specific mechanical updates

As always, the Sport Chrono Package, which includes the Track Precision App, is part of the standard equipment of the 911 Carrera T. Additionally, for the first time Porsche is equipping the model with rear-axle steering as standard in combination with a more direct steering ratio on the front axle, thus significantly optimizing handling. Lateral acceleration is generated faster and the steering responds more directly, while stability is simultaneously increased. The tuning of the rear-axle steering was developed specifically for the Porsche 911 Carrera T.

The PASM adaptive sports suspension, which is lowered by 10 mm, is also standard and has been given model-specific, sporty tuning to make the Carrera T even better, and even more agile, to drive. The standard rear-axle steering and an aerodynamic balance optimised exclusively for the Porsche 911 Carrera T have enabled the anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles to be tuned for neutral handling. The 911 Carrera T has 20/21-inch Carrera S light alloy wheels. The front tyres are 245/35 ZR20 and the rears are 305/30 ZR21.

992.2 Carrera T exterior

Numerous features distinguish the Carrera T from other models in the series. A sticker with the shift pattern logo on each of the triangular rear windows identify it as a manually-shifting and particularly purist representative of the model line. The model designations on the rear are in a contrasting colour, Vanadium Grey. The inlays on the rear lid grille, the upper and lower trim of the exterior mirrors, and the machine-polished light alloy wheels are painted in matching Vanadium Grey Metallic. Another feature of the Carrera T is the aerodynamically optimised spoiler lip taken from the 911 Carrera GTS.

For the Porsche Carrera T, the Legends colour scheme offers the body colours of Shade Green Metallic, Crayon, and Slate Grey Neo, while the Dreams colour scheme comprises Guards Red, Lugano Blue, Gentian Blue Metallic and Cartagena Yellow Metallic. The Shades colour scheme offers a choice of the more muted Jet Black Metallic, GT Silver Metallic and Ice Grey Metallic. Contrasts offers the solid Black and White colours. Further body colours are available via the Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus programmes. The top of the 911 T Cabriolet is optionally available in the colours Black, Red, Blue and Brown.

992.2 Carrera T interior

Sporty and black, with contrasting stitching on request, Porsche has given the interior of the Carrera T an emphatically purist look that’s typical of the T-model. The eye-catching stopwatch in the standard Sport Chrono Package is prominent on the dashboard. A number of special details emphasise the exclusivity of the Porsche 911 Carrera T as a manual sports car: the shortened gear lever is topped with an open-pore walnut laminated wood gear knob, which offers a special visual and tactile experience. In front of the gear lever is a badge with the ‘MT’ (Manual Transmission) logo. The shift pattern logo is printed on the passenger side of the dashboard. The list of standard equipment also includes the leather-upholstered and heated GT sports steering wheel, fitted with a mode switch. Alternatively, a Race-Tex steering wheel is also available. The decorative inlays in the dashboard and the centre console are Vanadium Grey, with the door panel inlays being black brushed aluminium.

Befitting the sporty character of its interior, the Carrera T has black, four-way electrically adjustable sports seats with Sport-Tex seat centres as standard. The tartan fabric pattern of the interior is exclusively reserved for the 911 Carrera T. The 911 logo is stitched into the headrests. Customers can order the Adaptive Sports Seats Plus (18-way adjustable) or particularly light full bucket seats as options.

Pricing

911 (992.2) Carrera T – R2,735,000

911 (992.2) Carrera T cabriolet – R3,019,000