2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T new car review

There is no other car on the road quite like this benchmark sports car that has been at the top of its game for decades, and now there’s a new version.

The Porsche 911 has been at the top of its game for decades and has cemented its spot atop the podium of sports cars and we test out its newest variant. Here are five things you need to know about the 911 Carrera T.

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.

It’s still the one

There is no finer sports car than the Porsche 911. Sure, there are faster, louder, cheaper and more exclusive machines but this is still the benchmark.

Nothing matches the combination of driving satisfaction and daily usability offered by the Porsche. The ergonomics and responses of its steering, brakes and throttle are near-perfect, as though wired directly to your brain.

@davemotoring

A quick look at the Porsche 911 Carrera T - a great model with a handful of really cool features.

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Driven as intended, the 911 becomes an extension of your will. The extraordinary traction offered by its rear-mounted motor combines seamlessly with a punchy turbocharged engine and the finest automatic transmission on sale.

The 911 communicates its intentions so clearly that you feel as though you can see the future – there are no surprises when grip turns to slip in wet or dry weather.

Seven days and 1000 kilometres at the wheel of the latest model reaffirmed our belief that this machine remains the standard by which sports cars are judged.

If you win the lottery, dial 911.

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.

There are a few to pick from

Finding the cash to pick up a Porsche is only half the battle.

Once appropriately resourced, you need to choose between more than two dozen variants ranging from the basic 911 Carrera coupe (about $301,000 drive-away) to the limited-edition 911 S/T (about $707,000 drive-away) and hope your friendly dealer can secure a build slot within the foreseeable future. Then it’s time to consider a bewildering array of optional extras.

Or you can go for a ready-made machine such as the 911 Carrera T shown here, yours for about $320,000 drive-away.

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.

More isn’t always better

Based on the entry-level Carrera, the new Carrera T is a run-out special that delivers the goods you might want to add to the basic 911.

It adds lower suspension, a sports exhaust, larger alloys and the desirable “sports chrono” pack. There are features you can’t have on the cheapest 911, such as a limited-slip differential or the choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions. Committed folks can order the car without rear seats or sound insulation but doing so compromises its day-to-day appeal.

Power-crazed buyers might be put off by the Carrera T’s 283kW and 450Nm engine outputs – the lowest in the 911 range. We’d argue that the lower figures make it more usable in the real world, with more opportunities to hear its war cry. And besides, a 0-100km/h sprint of four seconds flat isn’t exactly slow. It’s a lighter, simpler, tauter version of the Carrera and that’s no bad thing.

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.

There are flaws

The 911 is too dear in Australia. The same car costs £105,700 ($207,000) in the UK, and $US124,900 ($193,000) in America, suggesting local customers are overpaying by a six-figure sum. An extensive (and expensive) options list amplifies the gouge, and a three-year warranty compares poorly with rivals.

2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T.

There’s a new model around the corner

Special editions usually mean Porsche is on the cusp of launching an updated model. A facelifted version of this 992-generation car will deliver revised bumpers and a digital dashboard in 2024. Hybrid motors might be part of the deal, but we wouldn’t worry too much about sweeping changes. The brand clearly knows how to make a great car.

Originally published as 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera T new car review