Porsche launches 911 T for the purist

ASPIRING to a top-of-the-range Porsche 911 requires an outlay in excess of half a million dollars but for that pure Porsche rear-wheel drive feel, there is always the newly introduced 911 Carrera T at close to half the price – a lazy $280,600 plus on road costs.

Porsche Cars Australia (PCA) identified a hole in its 911 line-up between the entry level 911 Carrera and the Carrera S and now offers the T with a selection of sought-after features from both models at a premium of $21,500 over the former and a saving of $17,500 on the latter.

Billed as a ‘lightweight’ sportscar, the ‘T’ in its name stands for touring and, according to Porsche, “describes models that offer a purist driving experience with exceptionally sporty equipment”.

Before options, the standard 911 T features a seven-speed manual gearbox with an eight-speed PDK dual-clutch auto available at no cost. The only other current-generation 911s available with a manual are the GTS and hardcore GT3.

Weighing 1470kg, the manual 911 Carrera T is the lightest series 911 with the entry-level engine, compared against a 1505kg 911 Carrera with standard eight-speed PDK. 

The T’s rear seats can be omitted for further weight saving, while insulation has been reduced to shave yet more mass and to allow more flat-six exhaust and induction note into the cabin. Lightweight glass and a lightweight battery to save yet more weight.

Standard 10mm-lower adaptive sports suspension, torque vectoring with a mechanical rear differential lock promise extra dynamic thrills, all of which are features that are standard or optional on the more expensive Carrera S and not available at all on the base Carrera.

Additionally, the T comes standard with Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package and optional rear-axle steering that is also unavailable on the entry vartiant.

PCA says 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.”

The new 911 Carrera T takes its bi-turbo engine with 283kW of power and 450Nm of torque from the entry level 911 Carrera, claimed to be capable of accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and on to a V-max of 291 km/h.

Porsche says it all gives the new 911 Carrera T an even more extroverted and dynamic look.

Specific to the T are 20- and 21-inch Titanium Grey Carrera S wheels front and back respectively with 245/35 (front) and 305/30 (rear) sized tyres, and constrasting Agate Grey finish on the exterior mirrors, door logos, rear logos, and trim strips on the rear lid grille.

The windscreen features a grey top tint while the tailpipes of the sports exhaust system are in high-gloss black.

Inside, the T comes standard with a GT sports steering wheel, sports exhaust system and Sports seats Plus with four-way electric adjustment.

Decorative trim in matte black and decorative inlays in high-gloss black round off the T interior.

Aussie spec Carrera Ts get standard adaptive LED matrix main headlights, auto-dimming mirrors including rain sensor, electrically folding exterior mirrors, metallic paint, front and rear parking sensors, surround view camera system, lane change assist, Power Steering Plus (no-cost option), adaptive cruise control (no-cost option), heated GT sport steering wheel, seat heating, keyless entry and start, tyre repair kit, Bose surround sound system and DAB+ digital radio.

An optional Carrera T interior package includes seat belts in the contrasting colours Slate Grey or Lizard Green.

The option package also includes decorative stitching, the 911 logo embossed in the headrests and on stripes down the seat centres while the floor mats also offer the logo and stitching in the contrasting colours of Lizard Green and Slate Grey as an option.

Adaptive Sports seats Plus with 18-way, electric adjustment are also optional, as are even sportier lightweight full bucket seats featuring suede-like Race-Tex centre panels.

Optional extended leather upholstery includes armrests on the door panels and the centre console, along with the upper parts of the dashboard and door panel trim.

It’s available in four solid colours: Black, White, Guards Red and Racing Yellow as well as in four metallic finishes: Jet Black, Gentian Blue, Ice Grey (available from November) and GT Silver.

Additionally, special colours are optionally available including Crayon, Ruby Star Neo (available from November), Carmine Red, Shark Blue and Python Green.

Porsche also offers buyers the option of using its Paint to Sample program comprising 110 available colours.