Porsche has released a new seven-speed manual gearbox option for the Porsche 911, which, since launch, has been offered exclusively with an eight-speed PDK automatic.
The new option was last year released to the US market, where a Porsche spokesman said there is increased demand for manual models, as demonstrated by the success of the six-speed 991-gen GT3 range-topper.
Porsche's representative also said that the 992-generation 911 became available much later in the US than it did here, hence the staggered global roll-out of different drivetrain options.
Both the mid-range Carrera S and top-spec 4S, in Coupé and Cabriolet guises, can be equipped with the manual gearbox, with no word on whether it will be soon made available on the entry-level Carrera variant.
The manual gearbox is being offered to UK buyers as a no-cost option, and saves 35kg over the PDK 'box. Choosing it also brings the firm’s Sport Chrono timing package, which includes uprated engine mounts, a sport suspension setting, rev-match function and steering wheel-mounted drive mode selector. A tyre temperature monitor is also equipped as standard.
Equipped with a manual gearbox, the 911 Carrera S is claimed to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds - compared to the automatic car's 3.6 seconds - and reach a top speed of 191mph. Fuel consumption is rated at between 26.4 and 28.0 mpg, with CO2 emissions coming in at 229-243 g/km.
As with the old 991-generation 911, the manual-equipped 992 receives a mechanical limited-slip differential with torque vectoring functionality as standard. This replaces the electronically adjustable unit fitted to PDK-equipped models. Porsche's Innodrive programme - already available on the Panamera and Cayenne - can also now be equipped, which uses navigation data to optimise acceleration and deceleration for distances of up to 3km.
Porsche claims a 0-60mph time of approximately four seconds and a top speed of 190mph, with the manual version tipping the scales at 1496kg, at least 9kg less than the automatic model.
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Wow
If I have read the Porsche website correctly ( no guarantees ) the new S manual has the same 0 - 60 time , at 4.2 , as the basic Carrera PDK auto. That means the S would need a pretty talented driver to keep pace with an old git in a bog standard basic 911at £12k less. Even at Porsche prices that's quite a few nice extras you can play with.
The new autos today IMO make the old manual v auto argument very lame.
So, the manual option saves
So, the manual option saves both 35kg and "at least 9kg" over the auto ? Which is it, 35kg or 9kg ?
"The manual gearbox is being
"The manual gearbox is being offered to UK buyers as a no-cost option"
It's a joke isn't it. Marketing is strong :-)