The Porsche 911 Carrera T is the lightweight sports car we never knew we wanted.

Not all lightweight sportscars are as small and nimble as a Mazda MX-5 Miata. Some are just more refined and purpose-driven versions of the real deal. Porsche has announced that it will add another illustrious variant to its 911 family - the 911 Carrera T. The letter "T" stands for touring and describes models that offer a pure driving experience. How pure? Check this out. 

Lightweight rules

The new 911 Carrera T slots in between the 911 Carrera and the 911 Carrera S. The standard 911 T sports a seven-speed manual gearbox with an eight-speed PDK as an option. The rear seats have been omitted, and even insulation materials designed to make the interiors quieter have also been reduced. Along with lightweight glass and a lightweight battery, the 911 Carrera T is now the lightest series 911 with an entry-level engine tipping the scales at 1,470 kg. It is 35 kg lighter than the 911 Carrera with a standard eight-speed PDK.

Is the 911 T's cabin noisier because of this weight-saving? You bet. But at least it comes with the Sport Chrono package, a dash-mounted analog clock if you will. But that's part of the experience.

The mechanicals

The 911 Carrera T also has PASM sports suspension with 10-mm-lowering. The howl of its six-cylinder boxer engine announces your arrival and will surely be heard echoing in winding mountain and country roads. The biturbo engine with 385 PS and 450 Nm of torque accelerates the sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 291 km/h. 

The manual transmission is augmented by Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) and comes with a mechanical rear differential lock. And if you find that too lame still, the 911 Carrera T can also be ordered with the optional rear-axle steering, which is also normally reserved for models from the Carrera S and up.

Exclusivity

Other T-specific equipment features include 20- and 21-inch Titanium Grey Carrera S wheels in the front and the back, respectively. These are shod with 245/35 (front) and 305/30 (rear) tires.

The 911 Carrera T also comes standard with the GT sports steering wheel, sports exhaust system, and Sports Seats Plus, which are four-way electric.

On the outside, Dark Grey accents and contrasting elements such as the top and bottom trim on the exterior mirrors, the new door logos, the rear logos, and the trim strips on the rear lid grille feature Agate Grey. The tailpipes are finished in high-gloss black, giving the new 911 Carrera T an even more extroverted and dynamic look.

Options, options, options

Part of the Porsche ownership experience is the air of distinction. Customers seeking even more distinctiveness can choose the optional Carrera T interior package. This includes additional safety belts in the contrasting colors Slate Grey or Lizard Green. The 911 logo embossed in the headrests, the stripes down the seat centers, and even the floor mats' logo and stitching can also be customized to those colors. 

The 911 Carrera T offers optional Adaptive Sports Seats Plus (18-way, electric) and the even sportier and exceptionally lightweight full bucket seats featuring Race Tex seat centers. The Carrera T interior package is offered with an optional extended leather interior. The armrests on the door panels and center console are also in leather, along with the upper parts of the dashboard and door panel trim.

There are 13 colors to choose from when ordering a 911 Carrera T. Customers can also use the Paint to Sample program, which lets the buyer choose from more than 110 available colors for their 911 Carrera T. 

Sometimes, it's the little things that make all the difference. Undoubtedly true for the 911 Carrera T.