The 911 Carrera T: Porsche’s Answer to Driving Feel

The 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T wasn’t designed to chase lap times or headlines. Instead, it exists for a narrower audience: drivers who value engagement over excess, and feel over flash. Built on the standard 911 Carrera coupe, the Carrera T strips away some luxury, sharpens the mechanicals, and reintroduces elements purists thought were disappearing from modern 911s. In a lineup increasingly defined by performance numbers, the Carrera T makes a quieter (but more meaningful) statement.

Related – 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S T-Hybrid First Drive Review

Built Around Driver Engagement

A 3.0L flat-six powers the Carrera T, making 339 lb-ft of torque and hitting 182 mph top speed. The one-two punch of the manual tranny coupled with the shorter constant transaxle ratio and the mechanical rear differential lock enables the 911 T to reach zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds — a little quicker than the standard 911 Carrera. But replace the manual transmission with Porsche’s PDK, and the Carrera T will shave .3 seconds off that time to 4 seconds.

By pairing reduced weight with a manual gearbox, shorter gearing, and minimal distractions, Porsche created a modern 911 that feels deliberately old-school in the ways that matter.

This simplified 911’s inspiration comes from the concept of the puristic 911 T model 1968 — a 2.0L 110-hp 911 that offered consumers a base option costing about 10 percent less than the more powerful 911 S at the time. Today, ‘base’ takes on a whole new meaning.

Less Weight, More Intention

Equipped with Porsche’s PASM Sport Suspension coupled with an optimized front spoiler and 20-inch Carrera S wheels painted in Titanium Grey, every aspect of the new 2018 911 Carrera T is designed to optimize sportiness and deliver lightweight construction. Weight is shaved in several areas, including the rear side windows and rear windshield employing lightweight glass, while the door opener loops on the inside replace the conventional door openers. 

For styling, the 911 T features the louvers of the rear decklid grill, the Porsche logo, and the model designation “911 Carrera T” finished in Agate Grey; at the back, the exhaust system features black exhaust tips. If the Racing Yellow you see here isn’t your thing, this special version is available in a few other options, including orange, black, red, white, blue, plus some metallic options in white, black, and GT silver.

Related – GT3 Touring Who? Here’s Why the New Porsche 911 S/T is a Keeper

Interior: New Carrera T Interior Package

Inside, it’s all clean and fresh and all about the driver — the rear seats are gone when the 911 Carrera T is ordered with the optional Full Bucket Seats, the first time for a 911 Carrera model. The headrests are embroidered with a black “911” logo, the cabin trim and dash are all black, including the door opener loops, and the GT Sport Steering wheel with a leather rim, also standard, comes fitted with a switch for driving mode selection.

The new Carrera T Interior Package offers a contrasting cabin look with colours including Racing Yellow, Guards Red, or GT Silver, providing extra coloured accents via the seat belts, the “911” logo on the headrests, the door opener loops, and the seat centers made of Sport-Tex.

Porsche dealers are now taking orders for the 911 Carrera T, with deliveries expected in early 2018 and sometime in March 2018 in the US. The Carrera T will be priced at US$102,100 (C$116,500 in Canada), excluding fees/charges.

Takeaway

The 2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T isn’t about being the fastest 911 you can buy. It’s about being one of the most honest. By pairing reduced weight with a manual gearbox, shorter gearing, and minimal distractions, Porsche created a modern 911 that feels deliberately old-school in the ways that matter. For purists, the Carrera T isn’t a compromise; it’s the point.

2018 Porsche 911 Carrera T Specs: