It may seem like we’re getting a new Porsche 911 variant on an almost weekly basis, but Porsche says that this one really does deserve your time and attention. It’s the all-new (992.2) version of the 911 Carrera T. Geared towards enthusiasts, the 911 T (T for Touring) has been around since the 991.2 generation of 2018, offering a lighter weight option, channeling the original stripped-out version of 1968. The 911 T has been positioned as a more enthusiast-focused 911, with things like weight saving and a standard manual transmission being the headlines. For the 2025 model much of that remains true. In fact, the 911 T now comes exclusively with a manual gearbox. Curiously, the 911 T will also be available for the first time as a convertible as well as a coupe.
Whereas a PDK gearbox was previously
offered, there will be no such option for the 2025 MY. And yes, restricting
buyers to three pedals indeed marks the 911 T out as something for the
enthusiasts among us. Curiously, the 911 T now drops the seven-speed manual
transmission, going for a more conventional six-speed. Either Porsche has
gotten lazy, or they’re admitting that top gear was more or less a redundant
overdrive of sorts, because we’re told that the first six gear ratios of the
outgoing model have been carried over—essentially, they just lopped off the 7th
gear and redrawn the pattern atop the shifter. Speaking of that shifter, it’s
now a Walnut ball, while the interior features a shift pattern logo on the
passenger side — presumably to eliminate confusion for any Gen Z passengers you
may be taking.
The 911 T is powered by the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer engine found on the base Carrera. It generates 388 hp and 449 Nm of torque and is capable of accelerating from 0-96 km/h in 4.3 seconds as a coupe or 4.5 seconds in Cabriolet form. The top track speed of the Coupe and Cabriolet is 295 km/h and 292 km/h respectively. Now, here’s where things get a little tricky. You see, while the 911 T Coupe is technically the lightest 911 Carrera variant, it’s still gained a few pounds from its predecessor. Yep, it’s 1,504 kg vs the 1,476 kg of the outgoing model. You can argue it’s a gain of just 28 kg, but when the “lightweight” model is just 12 kg lighter than the base-spec Carrera (1,516 kg), then you do start to wonder just how light is lightweight. To put that into further context, last year’s 911 T was 45 kg lighter than the PDK-equipped 911 Carrera. Yes, there’s the expected thinner glass and reduced sound deadening. But let’s not forget that a large chunk of those weight-saving claims are also thanks to the 911 T Coupe being built from the factory as a two-seater. The rear seats can be optioned back in as a no-cost extra—something that we predict most owners will opt for.
Perhaps one of the reasons why the 911 T
is porkier than before is because rear-axle steering is now included as
standard. This fits the narrative that the 911 T is more of a better optioned
alternative to the base Carrera, as it also comes with Porsche Torque
Vectoring, Sport Chrono, and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as
standard. Other changes include a quicker steering ratio, while the front and
rear antiroll bars have also been revised.
Perhaps the biggest hint that the 911 T
badge is becoming more of a marketing-friendly enthusiast-level trim line
rather than the true lightweight stripped-out model it once was is the addition
of a cabriolet to the lineup. Unlike the Coupe, the Cabrio comes with rear
seats as standard, and curiously, Porsche chose not to talk about specific
weight savings between the drop-top models or how much the 911 T Cabriolet
weighs. Visual distinctions for the 911 T vs. its siblings include the front
spoiler lip from the Carrera GTS, accents painted in Vanadium Grey Metallic,
special decals (including a six-speed graphic on the rear quarter
glass—hammering home that “manual only” factor), and a Sport Exhaust in black
stainless steel. The wheels, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Carrera S alloys,
now come in two-tone, incorporating a machined face with a high-gloss finish.
A special Carrera T exterior package is
available as an option that applies Gentian Blue accents to several parts of
the car. This includes the wheels, rear model designation, slat inlays in the
intake, door graphics, and a hood stripe with a Carrera T logo. This package
also includes black mirror shells instead of the standard Vanadium Grey. The
same can be had for the interior, which will add Gentian Blue stitching, seat
centers, seat belts, dash inserts, and trim rings. The standard 911 T comes
with Vanadium Grey on the dashboard and center console, with 4-way power Sports
Seats Plus upholstered in Porsche’s take on pleather, “Race-Tex.” There’s the option
of 18-way electrically adjustable seats or fixed-back carbon full buckets.
You can go ahead and place your order for
the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T today, though the first cars are expected to
arrive in US showrooms in the summer of next year. The MSRP for the Coupe and
Cabriolet models will be US$ 134,000 and US$ 147,300, respectively, plus an added
delivery, processing, and handling fee of US$ 1,995. That’s a US$ 14,000 price
increase over the standard Carrera Coupe, which seems reasonable. But, let’s
not forget that the 2023 911 T started at US$ 116,600 at launch
