Porsche does an exceptional job of seizing profit opportunities.

I'm just fathoming a guess, but I wouldn't be surprised if their decision to offer a manual only on S cars is a way to boost S sales and therefore profit (there absolutely must be a slightly larger margin on the S cars - unlike with prior generations, the body work and engine blocks are the same size on the 2 cars and both come with PASM standard...so the premium to the S, it would stand to reason, is allocated more to pure profit than before). To backup my assertion I can reference a small article I read in a recent Total 911 Magazine that indicated the profit margin on the 992 is bigger than ever.

So, my guess is the refusal to offer a manual is meant to force certain enthusiasts to buy an S who otherwise might not (me). Since the engines are nearly the same in design and dimension, there is no reason to believe that fitting the manual into the base car would require any specific modifications.

I think the 992 base will be offered in a manual either later this year or by next spring, once the initial itch has been scratched..LOL

Regards,
DRP

 

You’re spot on that the 992 has high profit margins, especially when you start checking all the option boxes.. I’m in the camp that less is more. The S model is Porsche’s primary focus right now, because it is king of the hill with the current 992 variants..

The only reason I would see for someone to get an S over the base model, would be to open up the extra options the base doesnt allow. i.e. PDCC, RWS, SPASM and the aforementioned manual box.

PDCC is an option designed for SUV’s.. producing a synthetic feeling that a car is smaller than it truly is. Not necessary on a 911. RWS is another option that negates the pure feel of the car. I’m a big IMSA follower, and 4-wheel steering is not allowed in any of the race circuits.. so why add it? U-turning? lol. SPASM only drops the car by 10mm for $1200 extra! SMH.. The car already comes STANDARD with PASM. So again, another money grab by Porsche.

When you add those options along with paying $14k for 64 extra HP. You’re up towards $22k extra. And at that point, the car has become a panamicro. Full of assistant nannies that are unnecessary. As the German magazine Sport Auto stated.. Without RAS and PDCC the car "reduces Porsche-Feeling to its essence. Glorious!" and "In the absence of high-tech intervention, [the C2] gives us the best driving feel we have had in a 992 to date."

Not to mention, its going to be fun when the Cobb accessport for the base 992 is released. Adding 80/90+ HP w/o mods.. you’re going to see faster base models over the S. 🤣 The engine is capable of so much power gain, and both of them are running 3.0TT flat six engines. The decision becomes a no brainer..

But to your point. I believe you’re correct. Once the flavor of the month dies off with the S, and it no longer is king of the hill when the high end Carrera GTS is launched, along with the Turbos. I’d put money on it that the base opens up a manual box. Or at least a launching of a T version (though I’d bet they save that for the last couple years of the 992 like they did for the 991.2)

Still waiting for the US spec base cars to start rolling out the reviews w/o that pesky Euro particulate filter. But here is a good one.

https://youtu.be/8-yfOpIc8Lc

Nice review on the base here as well

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-driven/porsche-911-carrera--992----driven/41689

 

Great write up by pistonheads.

I have only ever had base Carreras. The straightforwardness of the package can't be beat. I think a lot of buyers can be brainwashed into thinking they "need" the S. It seems lots of consumers have a hard time accepting that more isn't always better.

I'm holding on to my 991.2 manual until the 992 base is offered with a manual. The PDK, as good as it is, puts the 911 one big step closer to a panamera.

DRP

 

Your patience will pay off in the end.

000 magazine will have a write up on the base & S driven across California roads in their March issue. I’m looking forward to that.

 

Total 911’s article was excellent (as most of them are). Just had to add how much of a defining compliment it is to the ethos of 911 to conclude that a more powerful, faster 911 is perhaps not the one you want to drive on the street. - Imagine If the new Corvette was offered with the pushrod V8 or a twin turbo V6 that was lighter with less torque/hp and a higher rev limit. No Vette buyer would opt for the V6. Because finesse, handling and low speed character are not what the car is about....

 

Amen brother

 

Your prayers may be answered soon my friend..

In a recent article from Automobile magazine purely written in regards to the purists 992. The base 911.

”If anything, the stubby shifter is a visual reminder that Porsche promises a manual gearbox option, which one source hints will be announced soon.”

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2020-porsche-911-carrera-first-drive-review/

Breaking the news here instead of Rennlist

Cheers!

 

I just read that prototypes of 992 hybrids are on the roads testing. Then I thought...what if a manual gearbox is not compatible with any sort of hybrid drive??? We may really be looking at the end of the row-your-own box in all but perhaps a GT3. The article I read in Autoexpress references 2023 as the date for a hybrid 992 roll out, which I presume will coincide with a 992.2 (Gen II). I guess its not impossible to imagine that the current 992 S with a stick may be the last of a dying breed - gulp -

Is there an example of a hybrid with a manual?

DRP

P.S. on a different but strongly related topic, I personally love PDK. Its amazing in the Macan and its great on track in the 911. What it does around town in a 911 - for me at least - is cause me to floor the car more - more of the time and thus drive a much higher median speed. I already drive fast. I don't need any more encouragement. But the 'fast' I drive now is intention and deliberate. Thats what a manual does. It forces you to control the car. Example, (which I do all the time), try driving through a parking lot as your looking for a space @ 10 mph in 1st gear with the sport exhaust open and see the reaction you get from pedestrians - scared for their lives. In a PDK car I'd be going slightly faster in 2nd or 3rd gear drawing far less attention, if any at all, which is actually not as safe since the awareness levels of the pedestrians would be much lower. So - manuals are safer LOL - you get my drift.

 

That would be incredibly unfortunate if that is the case. Though I believe the base will see a manual in the foreseeable future. Be it a launch of a T version or just adding it to the 2021 models to increase sales.

I’ve learned that Porsche is incredibly meticulous and choosing the “timing” of launching certain features on certain models. The “S” launched on the 992 to have the early adopters fork out extra $$.. Taycan is doing the same with the Turbo S. I believe the sugar high will wear off by the end of the year, and the 2021 base 992 will receive a manual to bump sales before they announce the GTS.

It’s all a game to them.

Funny you mention the parking lot parking in 1st-gear. I’ve done this with my PDK in M mode. You can leave it in 1st and let the RPM’s roar as you’re making your way up and down the parking garage lol it is fun! And I agree, a much safer way of letting others walking around know exactly what’s coming for them =P

 

Next month will mark 2 full years of 992 production and there is still no manual for the base Carrera. They should just discontinue it all together... I'm sure there are reasons not to. They need to proclaim that the 911 can be had for under $100,000.00 as if more than two were ever sold at that price! LOL

I have to say that I genuinely believe that this decision directly contradicts one of the fundamental principals the company was founded on - give the customer what they want. You want to match the paint to your wife's favorite lipstick - no problem. You want flannel seat inserts with your signature sewn into the headrests - no problem. WAIT! - WHAT'S THAT?? You want a manual in your sports car??? no problem (with a big fat asterix!)

I'm sure the company will make it without my repeat business. But I honestly would have had a 992 in the garage by now if they just offered the manual.... The longer I keep my 991.2 the more likely I am to indefinitely keep my 991.2....

Regards,
DRP

 

I must admit I've been holding off on a 992 and hoping for a base manual.. I never really felt the S (my current 991.1) was needed. Lots of stuff in the S that really didn't matter much to me over what I would have gotten in the base.

Admittedly I want a manual, but I would say the main reason I won't buy a PDK is that PDK gear shift just looks...... stupid.. To me it just looks awful. At least on the 991s the PDK shift looked something like a sports car.. this thing on the 992 looks like a video game control. IMHO

 

I sold it! I had to. It was too valuable! Rolling the proceeds into a 992 which should arrive before the next summer olympics...

 

Porsche wins again LOL

I ordered and am awaiting a 23' GTS due in October (obviously a 7 speed manual). Likely would have gotten into a nicely equipped base Carrera two years ago if they offered a manual....

Score a victory for the marketing dept.

DRP

 

992 Carrera T announced! Alas the base now comes with a manual! So I spec'd one on the configurator and it came out to $152k with no PTS, and no PCCBs (not available for the T apparently). There's a short shifter and sport PASM. I think those are the only "T" specific items? That and the manual....

DRP

P.S. the GTS started production on 9/15 and is still phase 2. I spec'd PCCBs and they're saying it may be causing delays due to parts availability...?