Porsche’s New Driver-Friendly 911 Gives Manual Purists Purpose Again

While most automakers continue to shelve their manual transmission options due to a lack of buyer demand, all is not lost. On the contrary, here in the United States, there clearly remains a passionate core of row-your-own gearbox enthusiasts. 

For instance, just a few months ago, BMW unveiled a new and exclusive ‘Handschalter’ version of the 2027 M3 CS coupe. Destined solely for North America, the performance treatment paired a drift-ready rear-wheel drivetrain with a six-speed.

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And now it’s Porsche’s turn to cater to the people. The brand has announced that it’s bringing the three-pedal back to the 911 Carrera S for the 2027 model year, and the move supposedly comes in response to “overwhelming customer demand.”

Return of the manual option

Now, it hasn’t been that long since Porsche pulled the manual configuration from the Carrera S. The brand introduced the facelifted 992.2 in 2025; during that model-year update, it made PDK the lone choice for the model.

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Still, when Porsche previously offered a manual transmission on the 911 Carrera S, it proved to be a compelling pairing. Gear Patrol called the configuration slower but better with a stick shift.

To that end, Porsche North America frontman Timo Resch bills the new Carrera S with MT Package as something that “isn’t for everyone, but for the drivers who want it there really is no substitute.” While it’s still likely to be more demanding compared to its eight-speed sibling, it nevertheless fills an important need.

After all, in the absence of the option, Porsche 911 buyers were left deciding between a Carrera T and a GT3. Though both cater to manual lovers with their shifters and clutch pedals, the difference in price and spec between the two is staggering.

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For 2026, the former ran from $148,000 for the coupe. By contrast, MSRP for a base GT3 started at $235,800, and that’s even assuming you could get one.

What the package brings

As part of its efforts to cater to driving purists, Porsche is giving its MT Package much more than just a third pedal and manual input. 

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In keeping with analog-focused 911s like the Carrera T and the 911 GT3, the brand has also made a host of other changes to allow for a more enthusiast-grade experience. Beyond making it exclusively rear-wheel-driven, this means that Porsche is including PASM Sport suspension, special exhaust tuning and, of course, a walnut shift handle.

Even those items are just a taste of what the package delivers. Notably, Porsche is adding center-lock wheels on the 911 Carrera S for the first time, but the new MT option also brings the Sport Chrono Package, four-way Sports Seats Plus and a special red “S” model designation on the rear.

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With power coming from a 473-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six, it’s made only better by its svelte 3,327-pound curb weight. That means just 11 pounds separate the S from the lighter Carrera T, though the model brings with it a nearly 20-percent gain in power.

Availability and pricing

If you’re interested in the new 2027 911 Carrera S with MT Package, you can place an order through a Porsche Center now. MSRP starts at $167,100 for the coupe and $181,000 for the Cabriolet, excluding a $2,350 processing and handling fee. Deliveries are expected to begin by the end of 2026.

Porsche

Porsche 2027 911 Carrera S with MT Package

• Starts at $167,100

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