Carrera T 911 (thetorquereport.com)
In the realm of high-performance sports cars, Porsche’s 911 series has long held a revered status. And when you take a $126,550 Porsche 911 Carrera T and put it head-to-head with a $242,950 Porsche 911 GT3 RS, you’ll find out that the spirit of driving excellence continues to be a common thread across the entire 911 lineup. This comparison isn’t about gadgets or cabin tech; it’s about the unwavering driver engagement that defines every Porsche 911. The GT3 RS excels on the track, building upon a legendary foundation, while the Carrera T serves as a love letter to the inherent brilliance that is characteristic of every 911.
The focus of the Carrera T isn’t sheer power or breakneck speed. Instead, it’s about imbuing this model with handling enhancements that are usually reserved for higher-tier 911 variants, all while reducing weight. The Carrera T boasts Porsche’s PASM sport suspension and a torque-vectoring rear axle, features unavailable on the standard Carrera. Staggered 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels provide stability, and a sport exhaust system heightens the auditory experience of the turbocharged flat-6 engine.
Weight savings in the Carrera T primarily come from the removal of the rear seats, a feature often found to be superfluous. Thinner glass contributes to the weight reduction as well, although it makes the cabin somewhat louder compared to a standard 911. However, it’s not loud enough to be bothersome for daily driving. In total, Porsche estimates that the Carrera T is around 100 pounds lighter than the base 911, enhancing its agility.
Powering the Carrera T is the 911’s entry-level 3.0-liter turbo flat-6 engine, delivering 379 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. It’s exclusively offered with rear-wheel drive, and Porsche offers the option of a seven-speed manual transmission. With the manual, the Carrera T can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. There’s also an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission available, which shaves the 0-to-60-mph time down to 3.8 seconds. However, the manual transmission feels more in tune with the Carrera T’s back-to-basics ethos.
The Carrera T’s 3.0-liter flat-6 engine, with its impressive torque delivery, ensures that power is readily available throughout the rev range. It’s a driver’s delight, encouraging high-rev shifts and seamless gear changes. Additionally, an automatic rev-matching downshift function simplifies gear changes, and it’s so well-executed that many drivers prefer to leave it enabled.
Despite the absence of rear-axle steering (available as a $2,090 option), the Carrera T showcases the 911’s sharp and finely weighted steering, well-balanced chassis, and responsive steel brakes. In fact, the standard brakes perform admirably, negating the need for carbon-ceramic brakes.
Inside the Carrera T, the layout is quintessential 911, with well-organized controls, dual screens flanking an analog tachometer, and Porsche’s latest multimedia system. T-specific seats offer comfort with cloth inserts and accent stitching, and you can enhance the experience with optional driving aids like blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. A worthwhile upgrade is a higher-end audio system, as the base audio setup is far from impressive.
Customizing the Carrera T with desirable features such as a front-axle lift ($2,770), LED matrix headlights ($3,270), a surround-view camera system ($1,430), the $5,560 Burmester stereo, and premium paint can bring the total cost to around $133,000. With fewer extras, the Carrera T starts at $126,550, inclusive of a $1,650 destination fee. While the Carrera T is half the price of the 911 GT3 RS, it offers more than half the driving thrill, making it a compelling choice in the 911 lineup.