It is one of the most iconic and admired sports cars in automotive history. Presented at the 1963 Frankfurt Motor Show, it is on its way to being eternal. It seems that the years do not pass for this emblematic German car, a true benchmark. For many, the sports car of sports cars.
And it is very meritorious that with 60 years of experience it continues to maintain a recognizable line, which every fan is capable of identifying. But it has even more value that it maintains a mechanical layout inherited from the historic 356: rear engine, behind the axle, and propulsion. And, of course, the famous six-cylinder boxer engine with its unmistakable sound.
In any case, this year that Porsche celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is fair to recognize the automotive legacy that the Stuttgart brand has been able to create, with sports cars as special as the 911.
In the case of the 911 Carrera T in question, it must be explained that it is a name, the letter T for Touring, which describes the models that offer the purest possible driving experience and with exceptionally sporty equipment.
This name dates back to the homologation of the first 911 T in 1968, an original model that was sold until 1973. Subsequently, in 2017, Porsche revived the T concept in the 911 and has successfully offered it in other models such as the 718 Cayman T , the 718 Boxster T and the Macan T.
From the outset, the 911 Carrera T eliminates the rear seats to save weight; It only has two seats. And it mounts a seven-speed manual transmission as standard and, optionally, at no cost, the eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission is offered. The PASM sports suspension, which lowers the ride height by 10 millimeters, is also standard.
The engine, it could not be otherwise, is a six-cylinder boxer with its unmistakable and more than recognizable sound. Biturbo and with 385 CV, it allows accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. With a top speed of 291 km/h. A priori, they may seem few horsepower for a car of this philosophy. And more observing the power escalation of current supercars: if there is no more than 600 CV available to the driver, you are nobody.
The Stuttgart brand also includes the Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) device and a mechanical limited-slip differential on the rear axle. And the Sport Chrono package, also standard.
The Carrera T has 385 CV, the same power as a normal Carrera and 65 CV less than a Carrera S. It is cheaper than the 480 CV Carrera GTS, although with the options available in the Porsche universe it can have practically the same price.
Be that as it may, it is a 911, let's say, more affordable. And very special. Light, hard and precise to drive, it recovers all the essence of the most authentic sports driving. Everything is hard in this 911: the clutch pedal, the brake pedal and the manual transmission, with a precise and metallic touch as in the sports cars of yesteryear.
And the sound of the boxer engine is so personal and recognizable that it excites. Obviously, it is not the fastest 911 in the catalogue, but it is one of the most authentic. And it's going great.
It is a sports car that transmits many sensations to the driver, without filtering anything. Everything is direct and precise and that is not very frequent nowadays. It is little isolated and the boxer engine and its enchanting melody accompanies us constantly through the sports exhausts. Annoying? On the contrary. It is a gift for the senses.
Now, it is more demanding with its driver than any sports car, let's say, of the new generation. You have to brake forcefully, without regard, and use the manual change decisively. The touch, we have already commented, is hard, precise and metallic. A joy!
The driving experience of the 911 Carrera T inevitably reminds us of sports cars from another era. It is extremely authentic. Agile and light, it seems that it has many more horses. And it transmits a precision behind the wheel like few cars. As a surgeon, one would say.
The communion between man and machine, a concept that some Japanese manufacturers adore, is total. And that is difficult to achieve. Manual transmission, brakes that do not wear out (and they are made of steel) and that seem to sink you into the asphalt and an engine full of character, even beyond 6,500 rpm. Pure sensations. But, of course, if you are looking for an easy and comfortable car to drive, it is better to think of another alternative.
The Sport Chrono package includes the auto-blip function of the seven-speed manual gearbox. With Sport Plus mode engaged, downshifting the change introduces an instantaneous throttle boost to balance revs and prevent rear-wheel lockup when releasing the clutch. It is what used to be called “tip-heel”, but done automatically and effectively.
The Porsche 911 Carrera T is priced at 153,350 euros in our market. But, as usually happens in this type of car, this price can easily reach 180,000 euros if we choose to equip it with some extra elements.
For example, the Shark Blue paint on this unit, frankly beautiful, costs more than 3,000 euros. Or the panoramic glass roof that costs 2,566 euros. There is more: the SportDesign package, with the modified front and rear bumpers, costs about 4,600 euros.
The 7-speed manual transmission, whose operation we have loved, is standard. The curious thing is that Porsche offers the option of the well-known 8-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission at no cost
Carrera S wheels with a five-double-arm design are standard: 20" at the front and 21" at the rear. And it comes equipped with excellent Goodyear Eagle F1 cars, measuring 245/35 ZR20 at the front and 305/30 ZR21 at the rear. All designed and created to satisfy the most demanding motorists.
