- The 911 GTS’s T-hybrid system is currently incompatible with a manual.
- Porsche’s North American boss suggested that HQ could develop a solution.
- Manual transmissions will continue being built by Porsche for as long as possible.
The current Porsche 911 GTS, fitted with a complex hybrid powertrain, is not available with a manual transmission. Sold exclusively with a PDK, the 911 GTS is now almost as fast as an old 911 Turbo, but the lack of a stick shift does somewhat limit its enthusiast appeal. It’s possible things could change in the future.
According to Porsche Cars North America chief executive Timo Resch, the hybrid powertrain currently used by the 911 GTS cannot be paired with a manual gearbox. Porsche’s T-hybrid system uses a small electric motor mounted directly on the turbocharger shaft, which doubles as a generator and effectively eliminates turbo lag. An electric motor has also been incorporated into the eight-speed PDK, further boosting performance.
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Quizzed by The Drive about potentially adding a manual to this hybrid, Resch said, “So, the technology setup that we have in place right now and a manual transmission… they are not compatible. That’s something that we see right now. But at the same time, it’s great to have an engineering team in Weissach that never stops thinking and has a lot of great ideas.”
While it’s a shame to hear that the T-hybrid setup doesn’t work with a manual transmission, that may not always remain the case. Resch added that he “wouldn’t be surprised if at some point they come up with a solution, but it probably will not be a combination that you see here.”
Manuals Aren’t Going Anywhere
Resch failed to provide any details on how engineers might create a hybrid 911 with a manual, but it would likely involve ditching the motor added to the PDK, while perhaps retaining the electrically assisted turbocharger.
Thankfully, Porsche remains firmly committed to stick shifts, regardless of whether or not the GTS gets one. “You can be assured that we will try to offer manual transmissions as long as we are legally allowed to and as long as there’s customer demand,” Resch said, “and we see customer demand for the optional manual transmission also lasting well into the next decade.”
