Current Porsche 911 (992.2) Carrera S Coupe – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
The 992.2-generation Porsche 911 Carrera S returns the S badge to its classic place in the lineup: a big step up from the base Carrera in outright pace and intent—without straying into GTS hybrid or Turbo territory. New turbos, a reworked charge-air cooling layout, more standard performance kit, and a thoroughly modernized cabin make the 992.2 S feel like a greatest-hits album remastered for 2025+. It’s also notably PDK-only in this generation, a change that sharpened performance but sparked debate among purists.
Porsche revealed the 992.2 lineup on May 28, 2024, headlined by the hybrid GTS and a comprehensively updated non-hybrid Carrera. On January 8, 2025, Stuttgart added the Carrera S—slotting above the base car and below the hybrid GTS—with a significant power bump (+30 hp) and the same intercooler-relocation strategy used elsewhere in the facelift. U.S. order books opened the same day, with first deliveries slated for spring 2025. MSRP at launch: $146,400 for the S Coupe (plus $1,995 DPH).
Where the base Carrera sticks to 388 hp, the S aims for classic “all the 911 most people will ever need” territory: faster, better equipped, still civil—and now exclusively with the 8-speed PDK. Porsche openly confirmed the manual option is discontinued for the 992.2 S.
Powertrain & Performance
- Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six
- Output: 473 hp and 390 lb-ft (up 30 hp vs. 992.1 S)
- Transmission: 8-speed PDK (dual-clutch), RWD
- Hardware changes: New turbochargers and extensively optimized charge-air cooling (intercooler repositioned in the upper engine bay, as on Turbo models), among other revisions.
Factory numbers vary a bit by market and spec, but you should expect 0–60 mph around the low-3s with Sport Chrono and ~191 mph at the top end. UK testing and specs commonly cite 3.3 s to 62 mph and 191 mph v-max. U.S. outlets also report the S is properly rapid on road and track even without hybrid assistance. What you don’t get is the GTS’s hybrid shove; what you do get is the lightest-feeling, most straightforwardly mechanical quick 992.2 this side of a manual T—plus the mid-range punch unlocked by the bigger blowers and new intercooling.
Chassis, Brakes & Dynamics
The 992.2 S inherits a bevy of dynamic upgrades versus the base Carrera:
- Brakes: Porsche equips the S with upgraded stoppers (closer to the outgoing GTS hardware) for repeated high-speed use.
- Exhaust & damper tuning: Sport exhaust and improved damping are part of the S brief, adding spice and body control without destroying ride quality.
- Wheels & tires: Mixed diameters (19/20 standard; 20/21 optional), with new wheel designs including Exclusive Design aero-blade wheels to trim drag. (Shared with the 992.2 update.)
- Aero & cooling: The facelift consolidates all light functions into Matrix-design LED headlamps, opening larger front inlets for cooling; an optional Aerokit adds a deeper front lip and fixed rear wing for extra high-speed stability. (Carries across the 992.2.)
On road, reviewers consistently praise the S for crisper turn-in and a notable ride/handling polish improvement over early 992.1 cars, while preserving the 911’s signature traction on corner exit.
Exterior Design: Evolution, Not Revolution
The 992.2 refresh is subtle but tidy:
- Front fascia: Cleaner, fog-lamp-free look (functions integrated into the headlamps).
- Rear: A thicker full-width light bar with integrated “PORSCHE” script, lightly re-contoured bumper.
- Decklid grille: Reworked slats visually tie into the rear glass and accommodate intercooler relocation beneath.
From 20 feet, it’s “still 911,” and that’s deliberate; Porsche keeps the S visually restrained, letting the performance and spec sheet do most of the talking. First drives and tests call the exterior changes “modest but purposeful.”
Interior & Tech
The cabin moves fully into the digital era:
- Instruments: a 12.6-inch fully digital cluster (with a classic five-dial skin available) now replaces the analog tach; opinions vary, but functionality and customization are way up.
- Infotainment: 10.9-inch PCM with deeper Apple CarPlay integration that can populate the instrument cluster, plus video streaming while parked.
- Controls: a start button (still on the left), new steering-wheel switchgear, and tidied storage/charging.
- Seats: Coupes default to two seats, with 2+2 available as a no-cost option; this was a big change introduced with the 992.2.
If you loved watching a mechanical needle swing, this will be an adjustment; if you prize configurability (track screens, nav in cluster, etc.), it’s a win.
Model-Year Updates & Range Context
- 2025 (launch year for the S): Porsche adds the Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet to the facelifted family, with 473 hp, PDK-only, and the upgraded hardware/new cooling layout. U.S. MSRP at launch: $146,400 (Coupe). Deliveries begin spring 2025.
- 2026: Porsche broadens AWD availability higher in the non-hybrid tree: Carrera 4S Coupe/Cabriolet and Targa 4S arrive with the same 473 hp output, PDK only—now the entry all-wheel-drive 911s since Porsche discontinued the base Carrera 4. This also gives shoppers a clean ladder: Carrera → Carrera S → Carrera 4S/Targa 4S → (hybrid) GTS → Turbo/Turbo S → GT cars.
Price creep is real across the 992.2 lineup; mainstream outlets noted higher stickers for MY2026, though equipment levels rose too.
How It Drives (Road & Track Impressions)
Early U.S. drives found the 992.2 S to be the sweet spot for many buyers: the base car’s balance and linearity, more shove everywhere, and extra dynamic headroom without the complexity or extra weight of hybridization.
- Road & Track: praised the S’s pace, understated exterior changes, and the way the powertrain revisions manifest as effortless mid-range thrust and lap-friendly stamina; their test car stickered at ~$182k and still felt like the one to live with daily.
- PistonHeads (UK): posted a full spec card (RWD, 480 hp metric / 473 hp DIN, 391 lb-ft, 0–62 in 3.3 s, 191 mph), calling out the S as a properly quick, everyday-usable sports car that remains lighter on its feet than the hybrid GTS.
- Top Gear (992.2 overview): dubbed the facelifted range “speedier, grippier,” with the S representing the core 911 experience turned up—while acknowledging the fully digital dash slightly mutes the old-school mechanical vibe.
Car and Driver’s broader 911 coverage also underscores that the S (and 4S) are PDK-only in 992.2, and that they inherit brake and damper goodness from the previous GTS to stand apart from the base car.
Options & Packages That Matter
- Sport Chrono Package: drive-mode dial, launch control, dynamic powertrain mounts, and the quickest official acceleration figures. Essential if you care about numbers or track consistency.
- Sport Exhaust: standard on S in several markets, it provides the soundscape this engine deserves; verify regional equipment.
- 20/21-inch wheels: sharper responses and stance; consider a stickier summer tire if you plan track days.
- Aerokit: deeper splitter + fixed rear wing reduce lift and visually separate the S from a base Carrera.
- Rear seats: no-cost option on coupes; add them if you ever need 2+2 utility.
Buying Advice
- Be honest about use. The S’s extra power and stronger brakes are worthwhile if you frequent canyons or HPDEs. If you mostly commute, the base Carrera is already astonishingly capable—spend on seats, wheels, and Sport Exhaust instead.
- Manual cravings? In 992.2, the S is PDK-only. If you want three pedals, your path is Carrera T (or a previous-gen S).
- AWD question. If you want all-weather traction, the Carrera 4S (and Targa 4S) join for MY2026 with the same output and PDK.
- Digital dash vs nostalgia. Sit in one first—the new 12.6-inch cluster is highly functional but undeniably different from an analog tach.
- Budget realistically. The S’s base MSRP rose with 992.2; street prices and options can move it well into the $170s–$180s. Cross-check what’s standard (brakes, exhaust) before you duplicate options.
Specs Snapshot (U.S./Global Highlights)
- Generation: 992.2
- Body: Carrera S Coupe (Cabriolet also offered)
- Engine: 3.0-L twin-turbo flat-six
- Output: 473 hp / 390 lb-ft (30-hp gain vs. 992.1 S)
- Driveline: RWD, 8-spd PDK only
- Key hardware changes: new turbos; re-engineered charge-air cooling (intercooler relocated); strengthened brakes; revised damping; Matrix LED headlamps standard
- 0–62 mph (claimed): ~3.1 s (with Sport Chrono, market-dep.)
- Top speed: ~191 mph
- U.S. launch MSRP (Coupe): $146,400 (+$1,995 DPH)
- Rear seats: no-cost option on coupes (two-seat default)
Verdict
If the base 992.2 Carrera is “all the 911 you need,” the Carrera S is all the 911 you want. It’s quicker everywhere, calmer at speed, and better equipped—yet still true to the 911’s essential formula: clear steering, ironclad traction, compact dimensions, and day-to-day civility. Unless you crave the novelty and instant torque hit of the GTS hybrid—or you live on the autobahn where the Turbo reigns—the 992.2 Carrera S Coupe is arguably the most complete 911 for real roads and real owners.
Videos & Reviews
The Carrera S Coupe (992.2) has been received as the sweet-spot 911 for drivers who want non-hybrid immediacy plus serious pace. Reviews consistently applaud the powertrain’s mid-range surge, the improved damper calibration, and the expanded standard kit—while flagging the loss of the manual and higher pricing as the only real bummers. As Road & Track put it, it’s the one many enthusiasts would happily daily—and still take to the track on Saturday.
Pictures & Gallery
Press Release
January 8, 2025
2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe and Cabriolet announced
New 911 Carrera S enjoys significant upgrades in performance and standard equipment
- Significant increase in power compared to predecessor
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter boxer engine producing 473 hp , eight-speed PDK
- Significantly extended list of standard equipment
- Wide range of options to improve driving dynamics and comfort
Porsche is adding the new Carrera S to the 911 model lineup for the 2025 model year. With its 473 hp (353 kW), 3.0-liter, twin-turbo boxer engine and enhanced standard equipment, the model slots in between the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera GTS. With enhanced performance and driving dynamics, it noticeably surpasses the preceding Carrera S model. A power upgrade and additional equipment options offer significant added value compared to the 911 Carrera.
Atlanta. Porsche is launching the 911 Carrera S for the 2025 model year. It closes the gap between the 911 Carrera and the even more performance-oriented 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid within the Carrera model line. Its powertrain has been significantly upgraded and now achieves performance levels that were previously reserved for the 911 Carrera GTS of the previous generation. In addition, an extended list of standard equipment and significantly increased customization options compared to the 911 Carrera make it an attractive new member of the Carrera model line. The sports car is available in Coupé and Cabriolet versions.
The iconic 3.0-liter twin-turbo boxer six-cylinder engine has been fundamentally upgraded for use in the new 911 Carrera S. The result is a significant increase in power with a simultaneous reduction in emissions. Its output of 473 hp, with 390 lb.-ft. of torque represents an increase of 30 hp compared to its predecessor. To achieve this increased performance and efficiency, Porsche fitted new turbochargers and has extensively optimized the charge-air cooling, among other changes. The Carrera S Coupe accelerates from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than the predecessor – when equipped with the Sport Chrono Package, and reaches a top track speed of 191 mph. An eight-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) sends power to the rear wheels.
Extensive list of standard equipment, exclusive options
Porsche has significantly upgraded the standard equipment for the Carrera S. From a performance perspective, the improvements include Sport Exhaust with tailpipes in Silver, brakes taken from the previous generation 911 Carrera GTS models measuring 408 mm on the front axle and 380 mm on the rear axle and the aforementioned increase in horsepower. Updated dampers with optimized hydraulics are more responsive and improve ride refinement over the preceding model. Performance-focused standard features of the prior model remain intact including Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+) and staggered 20/21-inch Carrera S wheels. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are available as an option, as is PASM Sport Suspension, which lowers ride height by 10 mm. Optionally available rear axle steering offers increased agility at low speeds and greater stability at high speeds. If equipped, this system also includes a quicker steering ratio and revised front axle kinematics.
Enhanced interior
The 2025 Carrera S models come with a significantly upgraded interior as standard. Compared to the preceding Carrera S models, the interior comes with an increased amount of leather upholstery as standard including the seats, headrests, upper dashboard, upper door panels, and – if equipped – the rear seats. As with the other 911 Carrera Coupe models of the current generation, a two-seat interior is standard equipment and rear seats may be specified with no additional cost. Cabriolet models come with rear seats as standard, and do not offer a rear seat deletion option.
A full leather interior is optionally available. In this case, leather covers a much wider range of surfaces inside the car including the lower dashboard, glove box lid, the rear side panels and the rear tunnel. For even further customization, an Exclusive Manufaktur Leather Interior can be chosen with up to 48 possible two-tone combinations. The Carrera S benefits from the upgraded standard equipment found in the entire model series. This includes elements such as Matrix Design LED headlights, a cooled wireless smartphone charger, and a drive mode knob on the heated steering wheel. Options include a front axle lift system, the innovative HD-Matrix Design LED headlights and the Sport Chrono package including the Porsche Track Precision app, which is ideal for track days.
The new 911 Carrera S is now available to order as a Coupe or Cabriolet with rear-wheel drive and an MSRP of $146,400 and $159,600 respectively and excluding a $1,995 delivery, processing and handling fee. Delivery to U.S. Porsche Centers is expected to begin in Spring, 2025.
