Porsche brings back the manual 911 Carrera S, but there’s a catch
Words: Kyle Cassidy
Porsche is bringing the six-speed manual gearbox back to the 911 Carrera S for 2027.
Created in response to what Porsche describes as “overwhelming customer demand”, the new Carrera S MT Package is exclusive to North America. It will be offered in both Coupé and Cabriolet forms, with US deliveries beginning before the end of 2026. The bad news, it won’t be available in New Zealand.
Under the rear engine cover is the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six used by the regular Carrera S, developing 353kW. Drive goes exclusively to the rear wheels through the six-speed manual transmission shared with the Carrera T.
The MT Package also includes a range of chassis and performance upgrades intended to make the Carrera S more involving to drive.
Rear-axle steering is standard, along with PASM Sport suspension that lowers the ride height by 10mm. The Sport Chrono Package and model-specific exhaust tuning are included as well, while a walnut gearknob adds an appropriately traditional touch.
The Carrera S also receives centre-lock wheels for the first time. These save more than 7.7kg compared with its regular wheels, helping to offset the weight of the additional equipment.
The manual Carrera S Coupé weighs approximately 1509kg, making it only around 5kg heavier than the Carrera T Coupé.
Further exterior changes include titanium exhaust outlets with black trim and a SportDesign front bumper. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are available as an alternative to the standard cast-iron braking system.
Four-way Sport Seats Plus are fitted inside, with buyers able to upgrade to 14-way Sport Seats, 18-way Sport Seats Plus or folding carbon-fibre lightweight bucket seats.
An optional interior package adds plaid Sport-Tex seat centres with Chalk-coloured stripes, matching stitching and seatbelts, Ceramica trim and brushed black aluminium accents.
North American buyers also get plenty of scope for personalisation. There are 17 standard exterior colours, more than 70 leather interior combinations and access to Porsche’s Paint to Sample programmes.
A dedicated appearance package adds black HD-Matrix headlights, Ceramica-finished wheels, red ‘S’ badging and white Porsche lettering. It also includes puddle lights that project the six-speed shift pattern onto the ground.
US pricing starts at US$169,450 for the Coupé and US$183,350 for the Cabriolet, including a US$2350 delivery charge.
Orders are open now, but only in North America. Porsche hasn’t announced any plans to offer the manual Carrera S in New Zealand, leaving Kiwi buyers to look to the 290kW Carrera T and GT3 if three pedals are essential.
