2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T: One of 27

There are 27 different Porsche 911 configurations in Canada. exclusivity, and beyond in between, the choice is plentiful. There's the return of the GT3 RS after a long hiatus, a Sport design model celebrating its 50th anniversary, and the newly introduced 911 Dakar for off-road enthusiasts (!).

Also featured for 2023 is the 911 Carrera T, which I had a chance to drive on the Angeles Forest Highway near Los Angeles. During low weight and complexity.

The original 911 Carrera T was released in 1968, although it was little known at the time. After winning the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in a custom-made 911, the company decided to sell a production model from 1968 to 1973. It was later revived in 2017, though only for a short period. As the 992 generation approaches, the Carrera T returns for 2023, always focused on delivering lighter weight and a closer connection between driver and road.

Shed 35 kilos

Compared to the regular 911 Carrera, the Carrera T weighs just 1,470 kg, which is 35 kg lighter than its predecessor equipped with the PDK transmission. The seven-speed manual transmission is another major change.

If you choose to have a Carrera T with the aforementioned PDK, the weight will be exactly the same. Why? Because the base 911 rides on 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch rear wheels while the T has 20- and 21-inch wheels, respectively. The suspension is also different.

The 911 Carrera T is sure to be a joy to drive the moment it hits the road. With the anthracite-coloured alloys and accents, as well as the distinctive graphics at the bottom of the doors, it's also cool and special. The ride height is 10mm lower than that, which results in superior handling.

Inside, the electrically adjustable sports seats let you know right away that you're not sitting in a regular 911. These buckets are stronger and more supportive, keeping your body completely under control during sporty driving. Of course, there are many more options you can add to the cockpit, like the Lizard Green stitching on the steering wheel and seats or the all-leather interior (door panels and armrests included).

Bless this guide

While manual transmissions are no longer popular in Europe, it's quite the opposite in North America, at least when it comes to the Porsche 911. In Canada, specifically, roughly one in three units are sold with a clutch and stick. You can get a manual gearbox for a growing number of models including the Carrera T, Carrera S, Carrera GTS, Targa S, GT3 and Sport Classic.

Although it results in a slower 0-100 km/h (4.5 seconds versus 4.0 seconds with PDK), the manual is much more pleasant here. Expertly calibrated to make the most of the 379 horsepower generated by the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine. We wouldn't say no to more power, but the fact of the matter is that the Carrera T has plenty of zest in most situations, and first-time buyers will have an easier time getting to grips with it.

As far as driving position is concerned, this is about as good as it gets. You can adjust the seat, mirrors, and steering wheel exactly the way you want it, and once you're in it you feel like you could stay there for hours without enduring any discomfort. The same cannot be said about the Audi R8, McLaren 720S, or Chevrolet Corvette. Moreover, vision is not compromised at all.

from the void of noise. Ditto for a more solid suspension. It's not the end of the world, mind you. That Carrera TV is in this section.

Acceleration is impressively linear and sustained. Great mix of different opinions. The car is more nimble in cornering as there is no body roll. She seems to have a quality in her appearance, which never seems to show any signs of losing her balance or her composure, as if she were just child's play. Arabic Driving School, that's awesome. Awesome sound effects and sound effects become professionals.

I've always had a thing about GTS models, which offer the best combination of power, performance and handling of the entire 911 range if you ask me. The GT3 is very radical, while the Turbo S has plenty of power to drive with ease on any road.

Starting at just under $170,000, the 911 GTS remains one of the more attractive options in my opinion, but with the new 911 Carrera T, less powerful but just as fun to drive, Porsche has a cheaper alternative. But as you can imagine, my tester came with several options that pushed the price up to $158,500. One of them was 4 wheel drive, and you should seriously consider it before any cosmetic upgrades as that is the main reason to buy this car.