Porsche 911 Carrera S review

It’s been a while coming and without strong US demand for three pedal footwells it probably wouldn’t be coming at all. But it’s here now as a no cost option, which is a cute way of charging the same for a manual as an auto when, historically, they have always been cheaper. To be fair, Porsche chuck in a standard Sport Chrono pack which would otherwise cost £1683. But you lose the e-diff and get in its place a traditional mechanical locker.

Porsche’s 8-speed PDK is so damn good these days you find yourself wondering if you’d really have the 7-speed manual, or whether that’s just the cool thing to be heard saying. And there are some problems with this ‘box: its action is good, but the six speeder in the last GT3 is better by far, and when your brain is as small and fuddled as mine, seven gears are just too many: in among all those ratios, I just get lost.

And because it’s a manualised version of the previous PDK box, you only save 35kg despite the lighter diff. Then you drive it and such thoughts scatter to the peripheries. It’s a manual 911 for goodness sake, more involving, more fun, more, er, 911-y. Of course it’s better than the PDK. It returns an old dimension of driving pleasure to the car that’s as important to its feel and character as a flat-six motor or its location in the boot. I loved it.

Porsche 911 Carrera S manual

Engine: 2981cc, 6-cyl, twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed manual, RWD
Power: 444bhp @ 6500rpm
Torque: 391lb ft @ 2300rpm
Weight: 1480kg

Power-to-weight ratio: 300bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 4.2 seconds
Top speed: 191mph
Price: £94,350

Ti rating: 9/10