James BullenHertfordshire, UK
Model 991 50 JAHREYear 2014Acquired 2022
Model 992 GT3Year 2022Acquired 2022
Model 996.1 CARRERAYear 1999Acquired 2023
Model 992 CARRERA TYear 2023Acquired 2023
I’ve just taken delivery of my latest 911, a Python green Carrera T ordered through Porsche Centre Hatfield. The T is the last standard model Porsche will introduce for the 992.1 generation before the new facelifted 992.2 cars start to appear. The handover was as exciting as ever, with the experience of collecting a new Porsche always special whichever model you happen to have ordered.
With the car coming adorned with a number of nice additions as part of the Carrera T package, I didn’t go wild with the options but did add some interesting comfort and styling changes that I feel have enhanced the car. The most obvious of these was the addition of the Sport Design Pack, which swaps the front and rear aprons for something far more aggressive looking. This option also shifts the rear number plate to a higher position, completely changing the profile of the car – for the better, in my opinion – at the back end.
Also awaiting collection on the day was a Gentian blue Carrera T with the standard front and rear ends, and as much as I like the colour (having owned another 992 in that shade) my Sport Design-equipped car looked far more dramatic than the standard car. I think it would enhance any of the 911 Carreras and I feel it’s an option anyone ordering new should give serious consideration to.
The interior of the T is a lovely place to spend time. While I opted for the 18-way Sports Plus Seats for added comfort, it’s the combination of leather and Race-Tex on this model that adds to the occasion so well. There are other upholstery and seating options available, but my advice would be to save your money for something else and go with the ‘standard’ interior, which is a visual delight and a haven of comfort. Owning a 992 GT3, I did opt for the rear seats to be fitted (at no additional cost) since the thought of two modern 911s with only two seats was a bit much to bear with two young children, both of whom enjoy riding in the cars with me. It’s a decision I balanced somewhat in terms of the added mass by specifying the lightweight glass as a partial offset.
Perhaps the most notable decision was to stick with the standard manual transmission, which I do feel is an important ingredient of this 911. With it no longer being possible to order a base Carrera in manual configuration, the Carrera T is now the entry point for those who like to drive with a stick shift. I’ve read many positive reviews of the Carrera T since its introduction, some based on short drives at the model launch last year, others recounting longer-term loans designed to give the reviewer time to get to know the car better.
The common feedback is that as good as the gearshift is in terms of feel and setup (for example, the short throw is wonderful,
