Porsche will only offer Golden State drivers new 911 GT3 with automatic gearbox manual is…

Porsche will not sell a stick-shift version of its new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring in the state of California because the manual version of the roadster is too noisy.

The company buried the news at the bottom of a press release showcasing the latest coupe.

But it is only in the state of California the manual version of the car will be unavailable. For drivers craving the thrill of the clutch and stick, and who purchase the car outside of the Golden State, the manual version will be freely available.

The California Code of Regulations states highway vehicles must pass certain ‘drive-by’ noise tests orchestrated by the Society of Automotive Engineers. 

Manual vehicles have to remain under a certain decibel level as they are driven up to full throttle in second or third gear.  

The company’s manual transmission used to signify the brand’s commitment to its racing heritage. 

‘The seven-speed PDK gearbox will be the only transmission offered in California with the 911 GT3,’ Porsche stated in detailed information for the vehicle. ‘For those who prefer three pedals and are located outside of California, a six-speed manual gearbox will continue to be available at no extra cost.’  

The car falls short of stringent California noise limitation guidelines criteria which dates back to 1992

All cars in California must be equipped with a muffler, and any exhaust modifications must not be designed to increase the exhaust noise above 95 dbA, about the same volume as shouted conversation.

The automatic transmission vehicle is able to hit the same speed and noise requirements while in first gear, and is therefore far quieter.

California is Porche’s single biggest market in the U.S. Those who love to drive often tell how ‘a manual transmission is the sure-fire way to show that the person behind the wheel is a ‘serious’ and accomplished driver ready to handle a GT3 car that’s tuned to dominate the track’,’ reports Bloomberg. 

The love of manual cars by those who have an affinity for sports cars is shown in Porche’s sales figure. 

The car does not meet the requirements of being quieter than 95 decibels

Although the company is exceptionally vague about the numbers of vehicles of each type sold, sales of the manual version of the car make up about 30% of global sales, but a whopping 70% of the share in the United States.  

 It is not known whether the decision not to sell manual 911 GT3’s in California is a permanent one but Porsche spokesman Luke Vandezande said the company is ‘unable to confirm whether a manual gearbox for the 911 GT3 in any form will be offered in California in the future.’ 

Porsche’s Vandezande blames the requirements on an ‘outdated’ procedure. 

‘The issue is focused on an outdated test procedure still found in California Highway Patrol regulations – it’s called SAE J1470 and it dates back to 1992 when manual cars might have four or five gears,’ Vandezande said in a statement. 

A manual version of the car will still be able to be purchased outside of California, however

‘It’s since been superseded by a new and more modern procedure called SAE J2805 from May 2020. The former test is no longer current (and this is the one the 911 GT3 would not pass), and the latter test has not yet been adopted by California – meaning we’re somewhere in the middle and therefore cannot register the car in manual form in California right now.

‘Porsche considered making a California edition of the GT3 but ultimately decided against it. We considered this option, but to alter a 911 GT3 would not be the right course of action,’Vandezande said.

Porsche has experienced record sales in recent years and saw a dip of just 3% during 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.  

Porsche has experienced record sales in recent years and saw a dip of just 3% during 2020 in the midst of the pandemic