Carmakers typically build vehicles according to the taste and preferences of their target customers. They have to, especially since customers may not purchase their vehicle if it is not up to their liking. Interestingly, some customers are easy to please, but others are quite picky on their choice.

For instance, carmakers build more vehicles with automatic transmissions. This is because more and more customers wanted vehicles that are easier and more convenient to drive. A vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission makes sense, as drivers don’t have to worry about shifting gears, especially in stop-and-go traffic.

Nevertheless, there are still a good yet declining number of drivers – especially purists -- who prefer cars with a manual transmission. This is why carmakers are offering manual versions of their vehicles. For instance, Toyota is finally fitting a manual transmission into the GR Supra.

Porsche, meanwhile, is offering a new version of the 911 Carrera that would delight purists with its manual gearbox and its extremely lightweight character. The Porsche 911 Carrera T is coming to deliver a purist driving experience that non-manual models can’t.

A Lightweight Carrera T With A Manual Gearbox

Purists can count several reasons why they prefer manual transmissions. While automatic transmissions offer convenience, their manual counterparts deliver better engagement between the human and the vehicle. For purists, there is no better than enjoying a genuine driving experience, with the driver seemingly mechanically connected to the car.

At Porsche, models with ‘T’ letter designation are typically touring models that could offer purist driving experience with exceptionally sporty equipment. The latest model to wear this letter is the 911 Carrera T – a lightweight sports car with a seven-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment.

Slotted between the 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S, the 911 Carrera achieves sportiness not through a power increase, but through weight trimming. This is essentially one of the reasons why it comes with a manual transmission, which is considerably lighter than an automatic gearbox. An eight-speed PDK is also available for the 911 Carrera T.

Just like in the other ‘T’ models, Porsche made the 911 Carrera T lighter by deleting the rear seats and reducing insulation. The carmaker also installed a lightweight glass and a lightweight battery. At just 3,240 lbs, the 911 Carrera T with a manual transmission is around 77 lbs lighter than the 911 Carrera with a PDK.

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Same Porsche 911 Carrera Power But Sportier

blue Porsche 911 Carrera T studio quarter front
Via: Porsche

Providing power for the 911 Carrera T is the same biturbo engine in the 911 Carrera, delivering 379 hp of max output and 332 lb-ft of peak torque. Combining this power with its lightweight nature, the 911 Carrera T can accelerate from nil to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds and to a top speed of 180 mph. The 911 Carrera T borrows the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical rear differential lock from the limit-pushing 911 Carrera S.

Standard also in the 911 Carrera T are the Sport Chrono package and the PASM sports suspension, which allows the lightweight sports to sit closer to the ground. Rear-axle steering, which is standard for models from the Carrera S and up, is available as an option for the 911 Carrera T.

As per Porsche, the 911 Carrera rides on Titanium Grey Carrera S wheels: 20-inch front rims with 245/35 tires, and 21-inch rear wheels with 305/30 rubbers. The 911 Carrera T features as standard the GT sports steering wheel, sports exhaust system, and Sports Seats Plus (four-way, electric).

Distinct Exterior With Gray Accents And Elements

blue green Porsche 911 Carrera T quarter rear view
Via: Porsche

The exterior of the Porsche 911 Carrera T distinguishes itself from other models with Dark Grey accentuating details and Agate Grey elements (top and bottom trim on exterior mirrors, door logos rear logos, and trim strips on the rear lid grille). The exterior also comes with a windshield with a gray top tint, as well as tailpipes in high-gloss black.

Customers can choose from a wide palette of colors for their new 911 Carrera T. Available are four solid colors (Black, White, Guardsred and Racing Yellow), four metallic finishes (Deep Black, Gentian Blue, Ice Grey and GTsilver) special colors (Chalk, Carmine Red, Python Green, Ruby Star Neo, and Shark Blue). They may customize the colors through Porsche’s Paint to Sample.

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Sporty Interior With Adaptive Sports Seats Plus

Porsche 911 Carrera T  interior cabin
Via: Porsche

Inside, the four-way Sports Seats Plus are standard on the new 911 Carrera T, with decorative trim in matte black and decorative inlays in high-gloss black completing the package. The optional Carrera T interior package is available, thereby adding safety belts in the contrasting colors Slate Grey or Lizard Green. These contrasting colors are also available for the decorative stitching, 911 logo embossed in the headrests, stripes on the seat centers, as well as the logo and stitching on the floor mats.

Porsche is offering Adaptive Sports Seats Plus (18-way, electric) as an option for the 911 Carrera T, although the sportier lightweight full bucket seats (with Race Tex seat centers) are available.

The Carrera T interior package would add an optional extended leather cabin, wrapping the armrests on the door panels and center console. The upper parts of the dashboard and door panel trim also come wrapped with the same material.

Source: Porsche