Manual Porsche Models You Can’t Buy in Japan

My husband often says, “You can get a manual transmission in Germany, but they don’t bring those models to Japan,” or, “It’s a great car, but it has PDK, so I’m not interested.”

I didn’t know much about the situation myself, so I assumed that all 911s and Porsche sports cars were available with a manual transmission. It turns out that isn’t the case.

So I looked into this question: “Of the models currently listed on Porsche Japan’s official website, how many can be ordered with a manual transmission?” (Checked July 17, 2018)

Just 11 Out of 58 Models

Porsche Japan’s official website currently lists 58 models, but only 11 are available with a manual transmission. I’ve listed the full lineup below; the models shown in red can be ordered with a manual.

【718 Cayman Models】
(1) 718 Cayman (2) 718 Cayman S
【718 Boxster Models】
(3) 718 Boxster (4) 718 Boxster S
【718 GTS Models】
(5) 718 Cayman GTS (6) 718 Boxster GTS
【911 Carrera Models】
(7) 911 Carrera (8) 911 Carrera S (9) 911 Carrera Cabriolet (10) 911 Carrera S Cabriolet (11) 911 Carrera 4 (12) 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (13) 911 Carrera 4S (14) 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet
【911 Carrera T】
(15) 911 Carrera T
【911 Targa 4 Models】
(16) 911 Targa 4 (17) 911 Targa 4S
【911 Turbo Models】
(18) 911 Turbo (19) 911 Turbo S (20) 911 Turbo Cabriolet (21) 911 Turbo S Cabriolet
【911 Turbo S Exclusive Series】
(22) 911 Turbo S Exclusive Series
【911 GTS Models】
(23) 911 Carrera GTS (24) 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet (25) 911 Carrera 4 GTS (26) 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet (27) 911 Targa 4 GTS
【911 GT3 Models】
(28) 911 GT3 (29) 911 GT3 RS
【911 GT2 RS】
(30) 911 GT2 RS
【Panamera Models】
(31) Panamera (32) Panamera 4 (33) Panamera 4 Executive (34) Panamera 4 Sport Turismo (35) Panamera 4S (36) Panamera 4S Executive (37) Panamera 4S Sport Turismo
【Panamera E-Hybrid Models】
(38) Panamera 4 E-Hybrid (39) Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Executive (40) Panamera 4 E-Hybrid Sport Turismo (41) Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (42) Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive (43) Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
【Panamera Turbo Models】
(44) Panamera Turbo (45) Panamera Turbo Executive (46) Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo
【Macan Models】
(47) Macan (48) Macan S
【Macan GTS】
(49) Macan GTS
【Macan Turbo Models】
(50) Macan Turbo (51) Macan Turbo Performance (52) Macan Turbo Exclusive Performance Edition
【The new Cayenne Models】
(53) The new Cayenne (54) The new Cayenne S
【The new Cayenne Turbo】
(55) The new Cayenne Turbo
【Cayenne Models】
(56) Cayenne Platinum Edition (57) Cayenne S Platinum Edition (58) Cayenne S E-Hybrid

Here’s the lineup at a glance:

I can understand why the Panamera, Cayenne, and Macan aren’t offered with a manual, but none of the 911 GTS models? (“None” might be putting it a bit harshly…) And if you want a brand-new open-top Porsche with a manual in Japan, the Boxster is your only option.

While researching Porsche manuals online, I came across this article:

Keeping a manual transmission in the new-generation 911, introduced seven years after its predecessor, and bringing it to Japan as well, is quite an achievement. (Omitted) Even back in the Tiptronic era, the proportion of 911s sold with manuals in Japan was negligible. And with PDK having evolved yet again, it’s remarkable that Porsche has kept the manual available in the Japanese lineup.
* WEBCG: Porsche 911 Carrera (RR/7MT) [Road Test] (September 26, 2012)

I see… If the article was already making that point in 2012, perhaps we should be grateful that you can still choose a manual 911 in Japan today, even if the selection is limited.