992.2 Carrera S: What We Wanted Vs. What We Got

5. Wanted: Carrera S does not feature distinctive looks

Some of the 992.2 variants haven’t changed much in terms of styling. The Carrera GTS featured the most notable changes, featuring a new front apron with vertical active air vents. If we go back to the Porsche 992.1, there’s almost no distinction between the Carrera and Carrera S models, apart from badging. Almost all 911s have distinctive design cues and given the divisive looks of the 992.2 update, I was hoping that the Carrera S also got its own unique design as well, but once again, aside from the badging, the Carrera S seems to share all the visuals of the Carrera.

On the recently introduced Manual-only Carrera T for instance, Porsche threw in some interesting exterior elements including some bold color choices and wheel designs along with a beechwood shifter for the 6-speed box. These are unique to the 992.2 Carrera T, which most folks are calling the budget GT3. On the OG Carrera S for example, we saw the introduction of the infamous lobster-claw wheels. Bringing back a more traditional rear decklid with horizontal lines could have been a nice way to distinguish the Carrera S.

4. Wanted: Carrera S does not feature All-wheel drive

Currently, if you want to buy a 992.2 with all-wheel drive, the mid-range Carrera 4 GTS is your only option, at least until the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo comes out. Some would argue that all-wheel drive slows the base Carrera down, but on the more powerful Carrera S, that shouldn’t necessarily be an issue. For instance, the 997 Carrera S had 40 horsepower more than the base variant, while the 991 Carrera had about 60 more than the entry-level model. At 473 horsepower, this latest 992.2 Carrera S has 30 horsepower more than the 992.1 variant.

All-wheel drive of course helps the car put the power down even better and improves all-weather capability. In the 992 Turbo S, the all-wheel drive can send up to 369 pound-feet to the front axle, which is more than half the car’s 590-pound-feet peak torque figure. The only downside of the all-wheel-drive system is that it adds 110 pounds to the weight. The 992.2 Carrera S just debuted, but the all-wheel drive is still missing from the equation as there was no mention of it it in the press release.

3. Didn’t Want: The option of analog gauges is also not coming back

One of the biggest gripes Porsche fans have with the 992.2 update is the lack of analog gauges. While a fully analog gauge can be seen as outdated given the latest industry trends, a partially analog instrument cluster, as seen on the 992.1 models, would have been a nice touch. After all, the Porsche 911 is all about heritage, so leaving some of the instrument’s analog would be paying homage to classic 911s.

At the very least, the centrally-positioned tachometer, which is the focal point of the five-gauge instrument cluster, should have been spared from the mass digitalization and screen overload that we’re seeing on modern cars. The Carrera S continues the modern trend of fully digital instrument clusters, but at least the five-pod design still remains, this time as a virtual version.

2. Didn’t Want: The 992.2 Carrera S’ non-hybrid powertrain

By far, the biggest novelty of the Porsche 992.2 is the T-Hybrid powertrain on the GTS, which revolves around the all-new, 3.6-liter, turbocharged flat-six. The system is brilliant as it gives the mid-range 911 performance comparable to the 992.1 Turbo S. Moreover, the hybrid system only adds 110 pounds, which makes it one of the most lightweight in the industry. That said, the Carrera S has always been an improved version of the base Carrera, featuring upgraded brakes, suspension, and more power and this latest 992.2 Carrera S is no exception.

Having said that, had Porsche gone with a hybrid powertrain with a PDK-only setup on the 992.2 Carrera S it would have made it a lot more expensive than its $146k MSRP and brought it too close to the Carrera GTS. Porsche knows this, which is why the 992.2 Carrera S continues to rely on the current 3.0-liter, twin-turbo flat-six. The unit is fitted with the outgoing GTS’ turbochargers, which the base 992.2 Carrera also gets. In the 2025 Carrera S, power is rated at 473 horsepower, which by the way used to be the power output of the 992.1 Carrera GTS. Meanwhile, the current Carrera GTS makes 532 horsepower and the entry-level 911 Carrera puts out 388.

1. Wanted: We did not get a manual transmission

Since the introduction of the 992 generation, we no longer have a manual transmission on the base 911 Carrera. Despite the eight-speed ZF automatic being one of the quickest transmissions in the industry, a lot of Porsche enthusiasts are still looking for the organic driving feel that only comes with a manual.

Yes, we are all aware that it makes the car slower, but does it really matter, unless you’re gunning it on the track that is? A rather odd decision was the fact that Porsche no longer offers the seven-speed manual, as seen on the 991 generation. It is now back to a traditional, six-speed unit.

Currently, the only Porsche 992.2 models that are available with a manual are the Carrera T, GT3, and GT3 Touring. You would think Porsche would add a manual to the 992.2 Carrera S given its non-hybrid powertrain, but no. Unfortunately, the eight-speed PDK automatic is the only available transmission option.