What Is a Porsche 992?

I’ve spent more hours than I care to admit behind the wheel of Porsche’s latest 911, known internally as the Porsche 992. And here’s the short of it: it’s the eighth-generation 911, launched for the 2020 model year, and it folds modern tech and big performance into the same rear-engined recipe that’s kept this icon on top for decades. The longer story? It’s quicker, calmer, and more capable than ever—yet it still delivers that familiar 911 tingle when you lean into a fast sweeper at dawn.

Porsche 992: The Eighth-Generation 911 Explained

The Porsche 992 is the current generation of the 911, an evolution of a classic shape with a wider body (now standard) and a chassis that’s stiffer and more refined. Under the skin, most 992 models use a 3.0-liter twin-turbo flat-six paired to an 8-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission—snappy, seamless, and honestly difficult to outshift on your own. If you prefer the old-school dance, select trims offer a manual gearbox (7-speed for Carrera T/S/GTS; a 6-speed in the GT3).

• Core models: Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera T, and GTS (RWD or AWD)
• Flagships: Turbo and Turbo S (AWD only, mind-bendingly fast)
• Track specials: GT3 and GT3 RS (naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six)
• Body styles: Coupe, Cabriolet, and Targa
• Tech highlights: optional rear-axle steering, adaptive dampers, active aero, ceramic brakes

Driving the Porsche 992: Calm, Quick, and Properly 911

First impression? The 992 feels buttoned-down, like pulling on a perfectly tailored jacket. Steering is lighter than the old hydraulic setups but still clean and precise; you can place the nose exactly where you want. On rough roads—think buckled city streets—the adaptive dampers keep the cabin composed. I did a winter dawn run across town on Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and noticed how little drama it served up. The 992 just shrugs and gets on with it.

Push harder and the 8-speed PDK does its party trick: instant, telepathic shifts. Manual fans won’t be disappointed, though—the 7-speed in the Carrera T/S/GTS has a nicely weighted action, and the 6-speed in the GT3 is pure, mechanical theatre. Brakes are mighty (ceramics on higher trims) and the optional rear-axle steering makes the car feel both more nimble in tight bends and more stable at speed. It’s one of those systems you forget is working until you jump into a car without it.

Porsche 992 Performance Numbers That Matter

• Carrera (3.0TT): around 379 hp, 0–60 mph in roughly 4.0 sec (quicker with PDK)
• Carrera S: 443 hp, low-to-mid 3-second 0–60 with launch control
• GTS: 473 hp, even punchier mid-range; feels like a “just-right” sweet spot
• Turbo S: 640 hp, 0–60 in the 2-second neighborhood on a sticky surface
• GT3 (4.0 NA): 502 hp, 9,000 rpm redline, glorious noise; manual or PDK
• GT3 RS (4.0 NA): track-focused aero monster; PDK only

Porsche 992 Interior, Tech, and Everyday Life

Inside, the Porsche 992 mixes traditional 911 cues (that straight dash line, the center tach) with modern tech. The infotainment is sharp and fast, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto baked in. I like the way the drive mode toggle sits right on the steering wheel—it makes swapping from Normal to Sport Plus a reflex. Small gripes? Some haptic-style climate toggles require a second look, and the cupholders are fine, not brilliant. Quiet enough to hear your kids squabble in the back? Yep—unless you’ve spec’d Cup 2 tires.

Practicality? The frunk swallows a couple of carry-ons (around 4.5 cubic feet), the rear seats are emergency-use for adults but okay for shorter trips with small kids, and sightlines are better than you’d expect from a low-slung sports car. It’s a daily, if you want it to be.

Porsche 992 + Floor Mats: The Easy Upgrade That Makes Sense

If you drive year-round, you’ll end up protecting that cabin. I’ve used third-party mats in long-term testers, and the right set saves your carpets from muddy shoes, coffee mishaps, and the inevitable sand you swear you didn’t bring home from the beach. If you’re shopping, AutoWin makes custom-fit options for the 992 that slot in neatly and add a subtle premium touch—useful and tidy, which fits the Porsche vibe.

Here are a few options I checked out:

• Custom fit for the 992’s footwells
• Edge-to-edge protection for wet seasons
• Easy wipe-down and removal for deep cleans
• Adds a subtle luxury feel without shouting

Want the brand-specific options? You can browse Porsche-fit mats directly, or explore the full AutoWin catalog for patterns and trims that suit your 992’s interior.

Porsche 992 vs. Rivals: How It Stacks Up

Which Porsche 992 Should You Buy?

• Daily driver, city and highway: Carrera or Carrera T with the 7-speed manual if you love shifting, PDK if you want effortless pace.
• Do-it-all performance without going Turbo: GTS. Feels special, sounds good, and nails the street/track balance.
• All-weather missile: Carrera 4S or GTS with AWD, plus winter tires. Easy.
• Grand touring and big speed: Turbo or Turbo S. Supercar thrust with a tux on.
• Track days and weekends: GT3 (manual or PDK). For serious lap time and aero nerds, the GT3 RS (PDK only) is your apex weapon.
• Style-first cruiser: Targa. The roof ritual never gets old, and nights out feel extra.

Verdict: Why the Porsche 992 Still Feels Special

The Porsche 992 is the rare sports car that can be your Monday commuter and your Saturday thrill ride. It’s faster than the last one, more refined on a rough road, and still communicative enough to make you take the long way home. I noticed right away how the chassis filters out the nonsense but keeps the good stuff—steering feel, engine response, the sense that the car is listening. If you’re already in one, treat it well and keep that interior protected. If you’re shopping, drive a GTS and a Turbo S back-to-back; you’ll know which team you’re on within three blocks.

Either way, the Porsche 992 is a modern classic in real time—and yes, even small details like the right floor mats from AutoWin help keep it feeling box-fresh for years.

Porsche 992 FAQ

What exactly is the Porsche 992?

It’s Porsche’s internal code for the eighth-generation 911, sold from the 2020 model year onward. Think updated chassis, wider stance, more tech, and a lineup ranging from Carrera to Turbo S and GT3/GT3 RS.

When did the Porsche 992 come out?

It arrived for the 2020 model year, with initial cars landing late in 2019.

How do you use launch control in a Porsche 992?

With PDK cars: select Sport Plus, hold the brake, floor the throttle until you see the launch prompt, then release the brake. You’ll feel the car hook up and go. Check your owner’s manual for model-specific steps and surface recommendations.

Is the Porsche 992 better than the 991?

It’s more refined, faster in most trims, and tech-forward. Some purists prefer the 991’s rawness, but the 992 is objectively easier to live with and quicker on a typical road.

Does the 992 GT3 RS come with a manual?

No. The 992 GT3 RS is PDK-only. The 992 GT3, however, offers a 6-speed manual or PDK.

How much does a 992 GT3 or GT3 RS cost?

Pricing varies by market and options. As a ballpark, a GT3 starts around the mid-$180k range in the U.S., and a GT3 RS around the mid-$240k range—before options and dealer realities.

What’s the difference between “911” and “992”?

“911” is the model line; “992” is the generation code for this current iteration.