The Porsche 911 is a famous nameplate, eulogized by auto enthusiasts around the globe. For more than half-a-century, this esteemed rear-engine rear-wheel-drive sports car has sustained its position as one of the best driver’s cars. Over the decades, the 911 has donned in various guises, each iteration embodying a seamless fusion of innovation, dynamics and its timeless design language. Among these magnificent renditions stands out the rather special 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T as a testament to automotive sophistication and excellence. The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T is a driver-centric, hardcore, lightweight version of the 911 that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg like the 911 GT3. It is placed just above the base Carrera in terms of price, but offers significantly more in terms of weight savings and driving experience. Here’s every little detail you should know about the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.
The first Porsche 911T, based on the initial generation Porsche 911 was introduced in 1967 as a 1968 model year car. The T in its name stands for Touring, and Porsche offered this model until 1973. The 1968 and 1969 models of the 911T came energized by a 2.0-liter air-cooled flat-6 motor that churned out 108 horses. A 4 or 5-speed manual and a 4-speed clutchless manual semi-automatic were the transmissions offered with the maiden Porsche 911T. Later on, the 1970 model year of the Porsche 911T gained a stronger 123-hp 2.2-liter flat-6 engine. In 1972, the 911T was installed with yet another new engine, this time a larger, 140-hp 2.4-liter flat-6. This motor was carbureted in all markets, outputting 128 horses, except in the U.S. where it utilized MFI to crank out 12 more ponies. In 1973, the last and final 911T was further updated with a new K-Jetronic CIS (Continuous Fuel Injection) system from Bosch. Decades later in 2018, Porsche revived the 911T, dubbing it the Porsche 911 Carrera T and reinstated into on the 911 lineup. This lowered, lightweight, driver-focused Carrera was slotted between the regular and stronger Carrera S models. It came invigorated by the same 370-hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-6 motor as the base Carrera, mated either to a 7-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK automatic. After a complete redesign of the 911 lineup in 2020, in 2023 we saw the inception of the latest and greatest Porsche 911 Carrera T.
The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T also shares its powertrain with the base Carrera model. However, the Porsche 911 Carrera T specs differ significantly from its younger sibling. The Carrera T focuses more on driver engagement as it comes equipped with a slew of lightweight components and a standard 7-speed manual transmission. Weight-reducing measures include the usage of lightweight glass, limited sound deadening and deletion of the rear seats. The rear seats can be added back in as a no-cost option, while the 8-speed PDK automatic transmission is also optional. The 911 Carrera T sports a standard PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management) sports suspension with firmer, shorter springs and stiffer anti-roll bars on the front and rear axles. A standard sports exhaust with black tailpipes complement these performance enhancements, emitting a more sonorous exhaust note. All of these unique components make the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T the perfect driver’s 911 configuration that won’t break your bank.
The heart of the 911 Carrera Touring beast is the same rear-mounted 379-hp twin-turbocharged Flat-6 mill. Unlike the Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models, the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T comes strictly in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. A 7-speed manual transmission aimed at purists is the standard spec, while the quick-shifting PDK automatic is optional. The Carrera T also gets the Sport Chrono package as standard, which equips it with a host of enhanced performance features. These include a steering wheel-mounted drive mode dial, launch control, active suspension mounts and the Porsche Track Precision app. As Car And Driver states in their 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T Review, all of these upgrades allow the car to succeed in its purist-focused mission.
The upgrades aren’t limited to the underpinnings of the 2023 Carrera T as it comes bedecked in a sportier attire unlike the base car. A unique touch that differentiate the Carrera T is its accent color. The mirrors, trim strips and the Porsche logo on the doors of the Carrera T all come painted in the shade of Agate Gray. The Carrera T also gets larger 20-inch front and 21-inch rear 10-spoke alloys borrowed from the Carrera S, painted in Titanium Gray. This specification features wider and broader wheels and tires in the rear, which Porsche claims to increase comfort and stability.
Spartan doesn’t mean low-quality or undesirable, as the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T vaunts a luxurious yet purpose-built interior. Less sound-deadening means more noise inside, but when that noise is music created by the sports exhaust, it simply adds to the driving experience. It can evidently be termed better than the modern habit of pumping the exhaust note through the speakers of the car. The Carrera T interior package comprises numerous detailings, such as the availability of Slate Gray or Lizard Green as accent colors. A GT sports steering wheel with the drive mode dial mounted onto it is also a standard feature included in the Sports Chrono package. As for the front seats, the Carrera T is equipped with Sport Seats Plus as standard. According to Porsche, this firmer, sportier setup promises better lateral support and comes sheathed in high-quality leather and Sport-Tex material. Overall, the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T’s cabin is a sporty and opulent space to spend time in.
Technology is abundant inside the cabin of the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T. The infotainment system consists of a 10.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A basic audio system is included as standard, with two optional upgrades to choose from. The first one is a 570-watt Bose Surround Sound System comprising 12 speakers including a subwoofer integrated into the body of the car. The second one is an even more premium Burmester High-End Surround Sound System, rated at 855 watts. This system constitutes 13 speakers, including a 300-watt active subwoofer with a class D digital amplifier integrated into the car body.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is evidently the track-oriented version coveted by the best of 911 aficionados. However, for almost $70,000 lesser than the GT3, you can get the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T. Sure it might not be as fast or dexterous as its track-weapon-sibling, but it offers a remarkable package at an impressive price point. The lightweight bodywork, enhanced suspension and euphonious exhaust note of the Carrera T encourages you to push it to the limits, both on the road and the track. Motor Trend in their review mentions that the 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T is a sports car that proves that “you don’t need huge power for world-class performance”. Its performance-enhanced components are what makes the 911 Carrera T really special and extremely appealing.
A brand new 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T bears an MSRP of $118,250. This is around $10,000 more than the base MSRP of the regular 911 Carrera. Considering the upgrades it offers, this price increase is more than justified. Looking at the used market, since the Carrera T arrives as a new model in 2023, the prices are obviously still on the higher side. Based on listings around the country, you can expect to spend between $120,000 and 170,000 depending on the spec and customization of the car. However, if you’re in the market for an older-gen 2018 or 2019 Porsche 911 Carrera T, you might be able to get a better deal. Classic.com states that used prices of these cars average at $102,382 for the PDK automatic model and at $103,563 for the 7-speed manual.
The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T is a nonpareil member of the present-day 911 lineup. It glimmers uniquely among the Carrera trims with its lightweight components, track-specific augmentations and irresistible driver’s appeal. If you don’t intent to spend your dough on a 911 GT3, but still want to have a hardcore 911 experience, the Carrera T would be an excellent choice. Within the vast lineup of exotic sports cars showcased on our website, 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T undeniably holds a distinctive position.
Exotic Car Trader is the fastest growing marketplace built specifically for automotive enthusiasts. Click below to learn how you can sell your car with us.
LEARN MORE
