The volume is secured through the brand’s rather diverse model line-up, but as with most manufacturers, the introduction of a more attainable model can mean increased sales and improved brand equity. I travelled down to the Western Cape to sample the brand’s latest Carrera, the 911 T, which is aimed at the enthusiast that wants something more usable.
The revival of a badge
Back in 1968, Porsche claimed its first of many Monte Carlo Rally victories with Vic Elford and David Stone piloting a 911 T. Now, in 2018 the 911 T is back, and in very basic terms, it’s a basic 911 Carrera with slightly less weight (around 20kg less) and a host of cosmetic and performance-based optional extras included.
Tell me more
The “T”, which stands for Touring, takes the successful formula of the 991.2 Carrera and puts a GT-car spin on it with lightweight glass used in the rear and side windows, less sound-deadening, the option of having no rear seats, no Porsche infotainment system and no air-conditioning, all at the owner’s request.
Furthermore, the T comes as standard with the Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) adaptive suspension, the Sports Chrono Package, a mechanical Limited Slip Differential, 20-inch Carrera S wheels and a sports exhaust system to name a few.
Aesthetic enhancements
Cosmetically, the T comes with a few distinctive design features such as a new front spoiler lip, 20-inch wheels, and side mirrors both finished in grey, a “911 Carrera T” logo on each door, black tailpipes and new slats on the rear lid grille.
Inside, four-way sports seats are standard and covered in Sport-Tex fabric with the 911 logo stitched on the headrests, while bucket seats are an option. There’s also a GT sports steering wheel, fabric door loops instead of handles and what is called the T interior package, which adds either Racing Yellow, Guards Red or GT Silver interior accents to the seat belts, 911 logos, door loops and seats.
Driving 911 T
The real magic with any Porsche 911 is in the driving experience, so when the brand’s representatives provided me with a 450km loop through some of the best roads in the Western Cape, I hopped into the T and set off.
The first variant I had a go in was the seven-speed manual, which has had its gear ratios shortened for this application and shares the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre flat-six motor as the PDK-equipped version with 272kW/450Nm at the driver’s disposal. In terms of engine sound, with the sports exhaust activated, the 911 T provides just about enough aural drama but falls well short of the symphonic GT-cars.
Driving a manual Porsche is an increasingly rare and satisfying experience, although I must admit, shifting to seventh gear in a manual vehicle is an alien experience. With the seven forward gears and a relatively narrow shifting gate, missing or selecting a wrong gear is more of a possibility, while the car’s redline of 6 500r/min means that you’re shifting gear more often than you’d anticipate.
It was only when I switched over to the PDK variant that I realised the fantastic elasticity of the turbo-six means that both the PDK and manual versions can be left in a higher gear through corners and dynamic situations with the low-down torque pulling the car along.
The turbocharged motor gives the car very different characteristics to the likes of the GT3, which demands to be kept on the boil at all times. It is the more subdued and usable powertrain coupled with the superb transmission options that make the T a great sports car to tackle everyday driving scenarios with. It still provides the GT-Porsche characteristics, even if these are watered down, and combines them with what makes a standard 911 such a good all-rounder.
The addition of the Sports Chrono package allows the PDK-equipped car to get to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds and the manual version 4.5 seconds with both variants able to head past 290km/h. In addition to the superb feel and feedback of the steering, despite it being an all-electric set-up, the aforementioned PASM allows for the vehicle to ride over less than perfect road surfaces at speed far better than you’d anticipate.
Verdict
Upon first glance, the 911 T appeared to be a relatively redundant product to me, slotting in-between the Carrera and Carrera S price-wise, as I didn’t see its relevance.
After driving it though, I better understand its purpose as a vehicle for the Porsche enthusiast who wants something that is easy to use every day, but still has some heritage attached to it and of course, offers something a bit extra or those who really enjoy the act of driving.
Pricing(with three-year Driveplan)
Carrera T - R1 536 000
Carrera T PDK - R1 536 000
Note: European model pictured
