Porsche Expands 911 Line-Up With New Carrera T Coupé & Cabriolet For Purist Driving Experience

Porsche has introduced the latest variant of its iconic 911 i.e. the Porsche 911 Carrera T which is available as a coupé and, for the first time, a cabriolet. Designed with driving purists in mind, the new Carrera T is engineered to deliver an unfiltered driving experience, focusing on agility, reduced weight, and dynamic performance. Positioned between the base 911 Carrera and the Carrera S, the Carrera T (the ‘T’ stands for Touring) brings distinctive enhancements in design, powertrain, and chassis tuning, all while embracing Porsche’s heritage of pure, driver-focused engineering.

Performance & Powertrain

The Porsche 911 Carrera T derives power from a 3.0L 6-cylinder twin-turbo boxer engine, identical to the one found in the standard 911 Carrera. However, the Carrera T is designed with a unique twist i.e. the engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, to provide the tactile essence of Porsche’s heritage while providing modern performance. Producing 290 kW (394 PS / 389 hp) and 450 Nm of torque, the Carrera T can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds (in coupé form) and 4.7 seconds (cabriolet). Both variants offer top speeds close to 295 km/h, with the coupé reaching 295 km/h and the cabriolet closely following at 293 km/h.

For added precision, the Carrera T’s manual transmission includes an intermediate throttle function (auto blip) that automatically synchronises engine and gearbox speeds for smoother downshifts. Enhancing the overall experience is Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package, which comes as standard and includes a performance stopwatch and drive mode switch on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to seamlessly select between multiple performance modes.

Chassis and Suspension

To maximise the Carrera T’s agility, Porsche has outfitted the model with a specifically tuned rear-axle steering as standard. This addition allows the rear wheels to pivot in harmony with the front, reducing the turning circle and improving maneuverability at lower speeds while enhancing stability at high speeds. Further enhancing its driving dynamics is the model-specific PASM adaptive sports suspension system which lowers the chassis by 10 mm and provides model-specific tuning for a sportier feel on the road.

The Carrera T rides on 20″ front and 21″ rear Carrera S light alloy wheels to give it a stable and commanding stance. The front tyres are 245/35 ZR20, while the rear are 305/30 ZR21 for optimal grip and balance. Combined with the model’s weight-saving measures and upgraded brakes featuring 350 mm discs and 6-piston fixed calipers, the Carrera T promises exhilarating drive.

Lightweight Design

The Carrera T is up to 42 kg lighter than the standard 911 Carrera, achieved through careful use of lightweight materials, thinner windows, reduced interior insulation, and optional full bucket seats. The car tips the scales at a lean 1,478 kg in its lightest configuration to amplify the purity of the driving experience. This minimalist approach is reinforced by the car’s sports exhaust system, which accentuates the visceral sound of the twin-turbo engine.

The Carrera T distinguishes itself with exclusive styling cues to set it apart from the other 911 models. It bears subtle Vanadium Grey accents on elements such as the model designation on the rear, the rear lid grille inlays, and the upper and lower trim of the side mirrors. The light alloy wheels are also finished in Vanadium Grey Metallic, creating a cohesive look. Another feature of the Carrera T is the aerodynamically optimised spoiler lip taken from the 911 Carrera GTS.

Additionally, Porsche offers a variety of exclusive colour options for the Carrera T, organised into the Shades, Legends, Dreams and Contrasts collections. These include distinctive hues like Shade Green Metallic, Guards Red, and Slate Grey Neo, with more muted options such as Jet Black Metallic, GT Silver Metallic, and Ice Grey Metallic. Meanwhile, Contrasts offers the simple solid Black and White colours. The top of the 911 T Cabriolet is optionally available in the colours Black, Red, Blue and Brown. For added personalisation, the Carrera T is available in Porsche’s Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus programmes, allowing you to select from an even wider palette of bespoke colours.

Purist Interior With Customisation Options

Inside, the Carrera T showcases an interior tailored to embody Porsche’s tradition of a purist’s sports car. The electrically adjustable sports seats are upholstered in black, featuring Sport-Tex seat centres, and the 911 logo stitched into the headrests. The tartan fabric pattern of the interior is exclusively reserved for the 911 Carrera T. Drivers seeking even more customisation can choose between Adaptive Sports Seats Plus, which offer 18-way adjustability, or the weight-saving full bucket seats.

Details special to the Carrera T further emphasise its exclusivity. The sporty and black interior (with contrasting stitching on request) gives the interior a purist look. This is complemented by a  shortened gear lever with open-pore walnut gear knob for a distinctive tactile feel. To highlight the uniqueness, there is an “MT” (Manual Transmission) badge sitting in front of the gear lever while a shift pattern logo is printed on the passenger side of the dashboard. Black brushed aluminum door inlays and decorative Vanadium Grey accents on the dashboard and centre console further enhance the sporty aesthetic. The Sport Chrono stopwatch, standard on this model, is positioned prominently on the dashboard, serving as a reminder of the car’s performance roots. Standard too is a leather-upholstered and heated GT sports steering wheel, fitted with a mode switch. Alternatively, you can opt for a Race-Tex steering wheel.

For an extra touch, Porsche offers the Carrera T design package, which introduces Gentian Blue contrasts throughout the cabin. This package adds Gentian Blue stitching, seat belts, center console trim, and door panel accents, as well as Gentian Blue contrast stripes on the seats. These touches create a bespoke look that emphasises the model’s sportiness and exclusivity. Meanwhile, on the exterior of the car, the inlays in the rear lid, the Carrera T decals on the front and rear lids and doors, the MT stickers, and the light alloy wheels with a gloss-lathed front face come in this same colour. The upper shells of the exterior mirrors are in Black.

A Return To Touring Roots

The “T” in Carrera T stands for Touring, a heritage designation dating back to the original 911 T of 1968. Revived in 2017, the Carrera T represents a return to Porsche’s roots of creating simple, agile, and lightweight touring cars with a focus on driver engagement. In the 2024 911 Carrera T, this philosophy is brought to life with a blend of cutting-edge technology and traditional driving elements that allow enthusiasts to experience the raw joy of driving.

The 911 Carrera T is not only a nod to Porsche’s past but also a modern-day celebration of the art of driving. With its lightweight construction, rear-wheel drive layout, and manual transmission, it offers an authentic sports car experience that connects drivers to the road in a way few vehicles can. Whether in the coupé or cabriolet form, the Carrera T is a model that stands out in the 911 line-up, reinforcing Porsche’s legacy as a brand dedicated to creating cars that inspire pure driving pleasure.