WHAT’SHAPPENED TO THE BASE 911?

With Coupe and now Cabriolet iterations of the new Type-992 911 in the public domain, and indeed the first road tests completed, some absences from Porsche’s latest 911 range of arse-engined slot cars are conspicuous. Most obviously, there is as yet no entry-level Carrera, just the Carrera S and 4S options.

Porsche has a little form in this area having launched the very first Cayman as an S model only. But this approach is fairly novel for the 911. The other obvious absentee from the 992 roster is a manual gearbox option. Porsche has indicated that both a base Carrera and a manual gearbox are incoming, so there’s no need to actually panic. But thus far, Porsche has declined to put a date on either.

Nor has Porsche indicated any reason for the new approach. Most likely, however, it comes down to that pesky new WLTP emissions testing regime. As we’ve detailed in previous issues, this is a brand new testing procedure for the EU (and other territories which adopt EU regulations for vehicle emissions) that is far more intensive than the previous NEDC regime. Along with lab testing, it requires real-world assessment on public roads.

For now, there are limited facilities available that are equipped to test new cars, leading to queues to get new models ratified. Making matters worse, WLTP also requires that models be retested for any significant options, such as larger wheels, significant digital systems, or any other factors that can impact emissions, including transmissions.

The upshot? With limited opportunity to get the new 992 ratified, Porsche has likely been forced to prioritise. If you can only bring one model from the new range to market initially, it’s going to be the more expensive and more profitable Carrera S. Similarly, if there’s only time to get one transmission option signed off, it’s going to be the one that over 90 per cent of buyers typically choose, ie PDK.

Exactly how long it will take to get the standard Carrera and, likewise, the manual gearbox WLTP’ED is anyone’s guess. But it will be fairly low in the list of Porsche’s priorities compared to giving, say, a new high-volume Macan iteration the nod. All of this is also very likely why models like the new Cayman GT4 and Boxster Spyder remain so elusive. Ditto that fabled second batch of 991.2 GT3 RS and the 911 Speedster swangsong.