Posted on 01/08/2025 11:36:35 AM PST by TigerClaws
We’ve been waiting for the updated Porsche 911 Carrera S to arrive for a few months, and although it features a significant jump in power, some loyalists might be disappointed. See, it’s the first 911 Carrera S ever to arrive without a manual gearbox, and that leaves a massive gap in the 911 range for customers who want to row their own gears while going heavy on equipment.
Let’s start with the headline figure, 473 horsepower. With new turbochargers and revised intercooling, the new 911 Carrera S is officially as powerful as the old 911 Carrera GTS, but it doesn’t make the same torque. See, torque output of 391 lb.-ft. lines up with that of the old Carrera S, so the added power up top should make it more rewarding to chase the redline, if you dare. As noted earlier, an eight-speed dual-clutch PDK transaxle is the only way of transmitting power from the engine to the rear wheels, but a few tricks including launch control and a limited-slip differential make models with the Sport Chrono package capable of sprinting from zero-to-60 mph in 3.1 seconds and onto a top speed of 191 mph.
Of course, extra power requires extra control, starting with brakes. The new 911 Carrera S boasts monster 16.06-inch front discs and sizeable 14.96-inch rear discs from the old Carrera GTS that ought to have serious heat capacity for repeated high-speed braking, such as trackday work or hauling things down from left-lane derestricted Autobahn speeds. Add in tweaked dampers to optimize the handling, staggered 20 and 21-inch wheels, a sports exhaust system, and a whole lot more leather as standard, and boom, that puts the S in Carrera S.
However, let’s circle back for a second. With the 911 Carrera S going automatic-only, the only 911 models available with a manual transmission are the $135,995 911 Carrera T and the $224,495 911 GT3. The former takes a base Carrera, adds a few performance options like rear-wheel steering, removes a bit of weight to compensate, and installs a manual transmission. The latter is a hardcore trackday monster with a screaming naturally aspirated flat-six and a price tag verging on supercar territory. That’s an $88,500 delta between the only stick-shift 911s you can currently buy, and with the mid-engined 718 cars slated for discontinuation in October, these are the only manual Porsches confirmed to live beyond the month of Halloween.
Heard of people buying manual as a "theft protection device" as younger folks don't know how to drive them.
with a bad left knee, manuals suck in heavy traffic notwithstanding 473 horsepower under the hood — otherwise, lotsa fun
I really like the PDK in my Turbo S.
Frees me up for other things...like avoiding the other cars.
Thanks for posting. Wifes car (Macan-S SUV) has the PDK, awesome Transmisson manual or automatic. 911 I may have wanted the choice (but can’t afford one so its moot lol)
Electronically controlled transmissions are so good at shifting now that there is no way that even a professional driver can match their performance.
The real benefit of manual transmissions is their simplicity, they are very easy to repair and simplicity is sometimes best.
Many, many moons ago, I remember visiting La La Land (Los Angeles for those of you in Rio Linda) and seeing a Porsche 911 with the license plate Warp 9.
There doesnt seem to be a whole lot of data to support manual transmissions being anti-theft devices. But there does seem to be some evidence that younger generations learn on automatics so they avoid manual transmission vehicles. I find this to be true in my immediate circles.
I went to the BMW performance school a few years ago. The instructor said leave the transmission in fully automatic mode - not even manual mode -because “you can’t out-think the computer”
I feel like you’re not a man if you don’t know how to drive a manual transmission vehicle.
Love my manual shifting but paddles are faster and you can drive with both feet (brake left) which cuts 0.XXs off the net reaction time for both urgent braking and needed throttle.
I think Rubens Barrichello was the last F1 driver to brake right-footed.
You could probably go faster with self driving car. Once you get there what is the point of having a sports car?
I love what Singer does - though crazy expensive - with the 964-era Porsche 911s. Just amazing.
Good point about the manual being easier to repair.
I used to believe a “real 911” had to be manual but... age and reliance on gadgets while driving I can see the PDK more useful for daily driving. If it’s a ‘weekend only’ car though, give me a standard.
I bought a 2003 BMW 325i in Oct 2003, year end closeout. The price was $25,995 with the 5-speed. I wanted the $3000 premium package. At $29,000 well equiped I thought it was a good deal.
The salesman said they would have to special order the car from the factory because the only people who bought the car with the 5-speed were those who couldn’t afford any options. Fortunately the factory was in S.Carolina so it only took 2 or 3 weeks.
For me the 5-speed was a selling point, but 20 years ago, even with a brand like BMW, basically nobody wanted a manual transmission. I’m surprised they’re still available on some cars.
It’s all about the pleasure of driving a performance car, or in my case, performance motorcycles.
I had a similar car (2-door BMW) years ago as well. BMW is a bit “stiff” of a ride (except the 7-series) and roads are so poorly maintained in most states it wasn’t a good drive for me. Sadly, SUVs or trucks are all about all I can drive given the idiot Dems running things.
(Los Angeles for those of you in Rio Linda)
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Lol Thanks for that. Thanks, Rush.
I posted this for ‘car nuts’ who enjoy cars and driving.
Not just about speed but the experience of driving.
I can buy a player grand piano computerized to play songs “perfectly” but where’s the fun in that? For the same reason, I don’t have an A.I. girlfriend...
“ But there does seem to be some evidence that younger generations learn on automatics so they avoid manual transmission vehicles. ”
A couple of decades ago I wanted to help teach a niece of mine to drive. When she got in and realized it was a manual she almost cried. I could not get her to cross a semi-busy street in the thing. She was terrified! I did everything I could to make it ok, but she remained terrified.
They may not be producing 911’s with a manual transmission anymore, but they certainly didn’t “kill” them.
I hope to be driving my mechanically fuel injected, 5 speed coupe for many years. Seat of the pants sports cars are way more fun, than anything put out since.
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