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New Porsche 911 Carrera T - bringing back the purist philosophy

Johannesburg - Porsche is reviving the purist philosophy from the 911 T of 1968 in the new 911 Carrera T: less weight, shorter transmission ratios from the manual gearbox, and rear-wheel drive with mechanical rear differential lock for improved performance and driving pleasure.

'T' for Touring model

The automaker says the new model’s unique appearance is based on the 911 Carrera and delivers 272kW. The T – signifying a touring model – boasts several other standard equipment features that are not available for the 911 Carrera including the PASM sports chassis, lowered by 20 mm, the weight-optimised Sport Chrono Package, a shortened gear lever with red shift pattern and Sport-Tex seat centres.

The 911 Carrera T is also available with optional rear-axle steering. 

The 911 Carrera T is specifically designed and equipped to optimise sportiness through lightweight materials. The rear-side and back windows are fitted with lightweight glass, and the interior door handles replaced with pull-loops.

Porsche says that the sound absorption materials have been reduced, rear seats omitted and there is an option to remove the Porsche Communication Management (PCM). This all results in a kerb weight of 1 425Kg, making this two-seater 20 Kg lighter than a 911 Carrera with comparable equipment. 

Image: Porsche

A sporty design and unique appearance

The differentiating elements on the 911 Carrera T include an aerodynamically optimised front spoiler lip, and Sport Design exterior mirrors painted in Agate-Grey Metallic. 

From the side profile, the new model is easily recognisable owing to 20" Carrera S wheels in Titan Grey and “911 Carrera T” logos. The rear view is characterised by slats in the rear lid grille, the Porsche logo, the “911 Carrera T” model designation in Agate Grey and the sports-exhaust system fitted as standard with centrally positioned black twin tailpipes. The exterior colour options are Black, Lava Orange, Guards Red, Racing Yellow, White and Miami Blue, as well as the metallic colours Carrara White, Jet Black and GT Silver. 

Image: Porsche

A puristic interior concept and new interior package

The cabin adheres to a sporty, puristic driving ethos. The drivers sports seat in black is electrically adjustable four-ways, featuring centre-inserts in Sport-Tex fabric and a headrest with the “911” logo stitched in black. The new Carrera T model also offers the option to choose full bucket seats.

A GT sports-steering wheel with leather trim features the mode switch button as standard, enabling the driver to select different driving programmes. A shortened gear lever with the gearshift pattern in red remains exclusive to the 911 Carrera T.

Image: Porsche

Decorative trims on the dashboard, doors and door opening loops are in black. A new addition is the T interior package, which creates an even sportier look with the contrasting colours of Racing Yellow, Guards Red or GT Silver. The colours can be used to add visual accents on various interior components, such as the seat belts, the “911” logo on headrests, door opening loops or the centres of the Sport-Tex seats. 

Improved weight-to-power ratio plus enhanced performance

Porsche mentions that the 3.0-litre flat-six cylinder engine with twin turbochargers generates an output of 272 kw and 450Nm, between 1 750 rpm and 5 000 rpm. The weight-to-power ratio has been improved to 3.85 kg/hp, ensuring enhanced performance and more agile driving dynamics.

Image: Porsche

The combination of manual transmission with shorter gear ratios and mechanical differential lock results in the 911 Carrera T sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds – 0.1 seconds faster than the 911 Carrera Coupé. The new model reaches 200 km/h in just 15.1 seconds. Optioned with Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK), the Carrera T will reach 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and 200 km/h in 14.5 seconds; both transmission variants enable a top speed of over 290 km/h. 

The 911 Carrera T is available for order now with first units in South Africa expected at the end of February 2018, at a basic retail price of R1 536 000 inclusive of a 3-year/100 000km Drive Plan.

Image: Porsche

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