2027 Porsche 911 Carrera S Gets Its Manual Gearbox Back
The 2027 Porsche 911 Carrera S is now available with a six-speed manual transmission with the new MT package.With a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six, the 911 Carrera S has significantly more punch than the Carrera T,...
- The 2027 Porsche 911 Carrera S is now available with a six-speed manual transmission with the new MT package.
- With a 473-hp twin-turbo flat-six, the 911 Carrera S has significantly more punch than the Carrera T, but it costs far less than the GT3.
- The manual gearbox is bundled together with Porsche's Sport Chrono package and centerlock wheels for weight savings.
Porsche introduced its dual-clutch PDK transmission on the racetrack in the 1980s, with the technology making its way to the 911 road cars in 2008. For maximum pace around a track, it can't be beat. For maximum engagement, usually a stopwatch isn't part of the process.
However, if you're lucky enough to have the necessary funds to park a Porsche 911 in the driveway, the technological superiority of the PDK curtailed your options. You could either splash out for a top-of-the-range GT3 or spec a Carrera T with the 388-hp twin-turbo flat-six. Ribeye steak or ham sandwich, your choice. But what if you wanted, like, a cheeseburger?
That'd be the Carrera S, long the enthusiast's choice in the 911 range. Not the base model, not the most extreme, just the Goldilocks version with a little more power and performance. Up until now, that performance came with a PDK attached to it.
But starting for the 2027 model year, Porsche has relented to pressure from its North American fanbase and is releasing a manual transmission-equipped 911 Carrera S. That brings a 473-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six, standard centerlock wheels, rear-wheel steering, and the Sport Chrono package. Plus, it’s rear-wheel-drive only with the slightly lower sport suspension. And, best of all, a walnut shift knob for the six-speed manual between the seats.
Tipping the scales at a claimed 3327 pounds, this manual-gearbox 911 S is only slightly heavier than the Carrera T, but around 20 percent punchier. It's also just the starting point for those who like to check boxes on Porsche's configurator, unlocking optional extras like a broader range of paint shades for those who like to show off, or carbon-ceramic brakes for track rats.
Dubbed the MT package, the manual transmission offering also groups together some signature effects like puddle lights showing the shifter pattern, and a red S badge on the rear. Nice, but just sides for the main course, the three pedals and gearshift that some enthusiasts demand.
The cost for this rear-engined stick-shift dance partner is not inconsiderable, at $169,450 for the coupe variant and $183,350 for the cabriolet. Still, that's a lot less than a 911 GT3, and not a huge bump over the Carrera T. Especially if you're going to add options to the latter.
You have to respect Porsche's PDK for the way it revolutionized performance, but you don't have to actually want to drive a 911 equipped with one. Even Porsche itself now appears to recognize this. More power than the base 911, not priced sky high like a GT3, this new manual-gearbox 911 is right in the sweet spot. We'll have ours with the optional extended-range fuel tank for maximum miles of smiles.
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Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels.