The Porsche 911 Carrera T may not have as much horsepower as some of its counterparts, but its 380bhp still provides plenty of manageability. Even in wet conditions, the rear tires with a 305-section offer good traction, thanks to the 911’s rearward weight distribution. The car feels quick even when you can’t fully utilize its power in the lower gears.
Porsche introduced the Wet mode in the current 911. It goes beyond adjusting the electronic traction and stability aids; it also modifies active cooling, active aerodynamics, automatic gearbox, and torque vectoring settings as needed.
However, the effect of Wet mode on the manual, rear-drive Carrera T feels subtle. It does not act like a traction management system that prevents wheelspin in standing water. Nevertheless, Wet mode does seem to optimize standing starts. Our fastest 0-60mph runs of 4.8sec and 4.9sec were recorded with Wet mode active, only slightly off Porsche’s claimed time of 4.3sec in optimal conditions.
The Carrera T’s flat six engine delivers a crisp, progressive, and free-revving power delivery. The engine’s boost takes a moment to build, but then it provides thrust across a wide range of revs and continues to perform well beyond 7000rpm.
Despite producing “only” 332lb ft of torque, the Carrera T accelerates impressively in gear and maintains its power throughout the rev range. In fourth gear, it took just 3.4sec to go from 50-70mph in wet conditions, while the Chevrolet Corvette C8 achieved the same in 3.1sec in dry conditions. The Porsche can reach almost 140mph before shifting to another gear.
Overall, the Carrera T’s powertrain exhibits a deep-founded strength, impressive flexibility, and satisfying performance, considering it is the least powerful engine in the 911 lineup.
The manual gearbox complements the engine well with its carefully chosen ratios and a satisfying shift action. It has a short and solid feel, making it intuitive to use. The seven-gear configuration is easy to manage, with the seventh gear primarily used for relaxed motorway cruising.
Track notes
Even in wet weather, the Carrera T performs well on the Millbrook Hill Route. It maintains grip and stability while navigating bumpy and adverse-cambered corners. The regular P Zeros tires handle standing water efficiently, providing enough traction for spirited driving.
The four-wheel steering system and Wet mode stability controls contribute to the car’s stability during turn-ins and reduce throttle-off oversteer, which is common in 911s. These features are beneficial for high-speed driving. However, when you want to push the car’s limits and deactivate the electronic aids, it may require more aggressive driving to achieve the desired level of engagement. It doesn’t always feel as natural and progressive on the edge as it could be.