Porsche 911 Carrera T (992) – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
Porsche has so many different types and versions of the 911 that it sometimes feels like there’s too much choice. You can choose coupe, cabriolet, or targa. You can choose how much power you get from the 3.0L or 3.7L flat-six engine. You can add a variety of packages and options. Basically, you are spoiled for choice.
For them to add another model to the lineup seems almost counter-intuitive. That is, until you realize that the model they are adding is the Carrera T, and then it makes sense in the fact that this specific model has the shortest options list of any 911. In a way, the car may seem sparingly equipped, and apart from the paint color, the wheels, and if you want a 7-speed manual or 8-speed PDK, it is. But it’s what it’s equipped with that makes the Porsche purists smile.
The Carrera T is not for everyone, and Porsche admits openly. This is a car for the driver. This is, if you will, the distillation of the Carrera and Carrera S to the purest type of car that Porsche has been making for over 70 years: A lightweight driver’s car.
To achieve this goal, absolutely everything that is not vital or necessary for the act and enjoyment of driving is removed. Then, a what’s what of options are added as standard equipment.
The engine is the same 3.0L twin-turbo flat-six that sits at the rear of the Carrera. It’s no slouch, however, as it produces 380 HP and 331 lbs-ft of torque. This is mated to a 7-speed transmission, although it has a Carrera T-only short final ratio to make the car pull harder off the line and exiting a corner, helped as well by Porsche Torque Vectoring, included as standard. Porsche has also given that engine a microphone as the Carrera S’ sports exhaust is fitted, and made it able to dance as the limited-slip differential from that car is also included.
The Sports Chrono package, combined with PASM Active Suspension, give the driver the ultimate range of driving modes, as well as dropping the standard ride height by a meaty 10 mm (just under 0.5 inches). The dynamic engine mounts from the Carrera S are also here as standard.
Carrera T-specific options are that you can add rear axle steering, adaptive power steering, and if you find that the 4-way Sports Plus body-hugging seats are a bit basic, you can upgrade to an 18-way electric Sports Seat Plus.
However, with all its standard equipment with the 7-speed manual, the Type 992 Carrera T weights in at 3,241 lbs (1,470 kg), the lightest 911 with the entry-level engine. That is an awe-inspiring 77 lbs (35 kg) lighter than the Carrera with an 8-speed PDK, which is already a light car in the sporting world at 3,318 lbs (1,505 kg). Paired with the 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels wrapped in 245/35 front and 305/30 rear rubber, this gives the T a 0 to 60 time of 4.3 seconds (3.8 seconds with the PDK).
However, while equipment and options are one thing, exclusive Carrera T-only aesthetics and details are another. Compared to other Carrera’s, the T gets exclusive Dark Grey accentuating details in areas such as the top and bottom trim on the wing mirrors, the lower door logos and speed stripe, and even the rear logo is subdued under a grey sheen. The windshield gains an T-only grey top tint, and the tips of the sports exhaust tailpipes are a deep glossy black. Sitting side by side with a Carrera and a Carrera S, you would have no problems picking out the Carrera T.
Inside, the aesthetics are purely driver-focused. Matte black with high-gloss black accents give the interior a subdued but purposeful look, and there are no buttons, no touchscreens, nothing that doesn’t absolutely need to be there for the car to function. While it may look sparse compared to even the base-spec Carrera, one must remember that the Carrera T is always and only about the driving experience, which can been accentuated with the Carrera T Interior Package. This adds contrast stitching and stripes to the seats, contrasting floor mats, and extra seat belts in either Slate Grey or Lizard Green.
There are some options for those looking for the Carrera T to be as light as possible, with the carbon fiber interior package replacing many leather surfaces with genuine carbon fiber to remove nearly 22 lbs (10 kg) of extra weight from the car.
All said and done, the 2023 Type 992 911 Carrera T is Porsche’s model for those that want nothing more than a sports car that wants, needs, begs to be driven. No distractions, just hands on the wheel, feet on the pedals, feeling the way the tires bite into the pavement as you enter a turn, then dancing the car with steering and throttle to exit the turn and send it to the next corner.
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The standard 911 T features a seven-speed manual gearbox. An eight-speed PDK is also available. The rear seats are omitted. Featuring a PASM sports suspension with 10-mm-lowering and reduced insulation, the new 911 Carrera T is the epitome of purism and exhilarating driving pleasure. You can feel it on winding mountain and country roads – and you can hear it too. The sound of the six-cylinder boxer engine is now an even more striking presence in the interior.
Standard with PASM sports suspension and Sport Chrono package
The new 911 Carrera T slots in between the 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S. The Carrera T takes its biturbo engine with 283 kW (385 PS; 911 Carrera T models: Fuel consumption* combined (WLTP) 10.9 – 10.3 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (WLTP) 247 – 233 g/km, Fuel consumption* combined (NEDC) 10.2 – 9.5 l/100 km, CO₂ emissions* combined (NEDC) 232 – 217 g/km) and 450 Newton metres of torque, and which accelerates the sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 291 km/h, from the entry-level 911. The standard equipment from the Carrera S with a manual transmission is augmented by Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear differential lock.
The 911 Carrera T also comes standard with the Sport Chrono package and the PASM sports suspension (-10 mm) – features that only the Carrera T offers in combination with the 385-PS engine. This is available as an option in the 911 Carrera S. On request, the Carrera T can also be ordered with the optional rear-axle steering, which is also normally reserved for models from the Carrera S and up.
T-specific equipment features include 20- and 21-inch Titanium Grey Carrera S wheels in front and back, respectively, with 245/35 (front) and 305/30 (rear) sized tyres. The 911 Carrera T also comes standard with the GT sports steering wheel, sports exhaust system and Sports Seats Plus (four-way, electric). Weighing just 1,470 kg, the 911 Carrera T with a manual transmission is the lightest series 911 with the entry-level engine, coming in 35 kg lighter than the 911 Carrera with a standard eight-speed PDK. In the 911 Carrera, the manual transmission is no longer available. Beyond the omitted back seats and reduced insulation, lightweight glass and a lightweight battery shave off even more weight.
Touring car concept successful across several model lines
The “T” in the model designation of the Porsche 911 Carrera T stands for touring and traces its history back to the homologation of the 911 T as a touring car in 1968. This first 911 T was offered until 1973, and in 2017 Porsche revived the purist 911 variant with the 911 Carrera T of the 991 model line. Since then, the concept of the stripped-down, yet exceptionally sporty setup has been successfully brought to other model lines with the 718 Cayman T, the 718 Boxster T and the Macan T.
Exclusive details inside and out
On the exterior, the Porsche 911 Carrera T stands out from the rest of the model line with Dark Grey accentuating details. Contrasting elements such as the top and bottom trim on the exterior mirrors, the new door logos and the rear logos, and the trim strips on the rear lid grille feature Agate Grey. The windscreen also features a grey top tint. The tailpipes of the sports exhaust system are in high-gloss black. It all gives the new 911 Carrera T an even more extroverted and dynamic look.
The car’s sportiness is underscored in the interior by the standard four-way Sports Seats Plus. Decorative trim in matte black and decorative inlays in high-gloss black round off the T interior. Customers seeking even more distinctiveness can choose the optional Carrera T interior package. In this case, they receive additional safety belts in the contrasting colours Slate Grey or Lizard Green.
The same goes for the decorative stitching, the 911 logo embossed in the headrests and the stripes down the seat centres. The floor mats also offer the logo and stitching in the contrasting colours of Lizard Green and Slate Grey as an option.
Small but exquisite selection of options and colours
The 911 Carrera T offers optional Adaptive Sports Seats Plus (18-way, electric) as well as the even sportier and exceptionally lightweight full bucket seats featuring Race Tex seat centres. The Carrera T interior package is offered with an optional extended leather interior. The armrests on the door panels and centre console are also in leather, along with the upper parts of the dashboard and door panel trim.
The new 911 Carrera T is available in the four solid colours Black, White, Guards Red and Racing Yellow as well as in the four metallic finishes Deep Black, Gentian Blue, Ice Grey and GT Silver. Available special colours are Chalk, Ruby Star Neo, Carmine Red, Shark Blue and Python Green. Buyers of the 911 Carrera T also have the option of using the Paint to Sample programme, which offers paintwork in over 110 available colour tones.
Info
The Porsche 911 Carrera T will go out to dealers in February 2023 and can be ordered now. The price in Germany starts at € 123,845 including VAT and country-specific equipment.
