Unlike many sport luxury carmakers, Porsche has managed to keep its signature model, the 911, small and lightweight. When we tested the current 911 GTS, we were impressed by the car’s ability to dance around corners and out-run BMWs, while at the same time turning in very good fuel economy.

For the 2012 model year, Porsche is updating the 911, although you would hardly know it from looking at the bodywork. The overall design remains the same, but Porsche managed to shed 100 pounds from the car.

And along with Porsche’s double-clutch gearbox, the PDK, this new 911 can be had with a seven-speed manual transmission. This is the first production car to boast more than six gears with a manual stick. The extra gear should contribute to greater fuel economy, along with driver confusion depending on how well Porsche designed the gate.

Porsche will officially unveil the new 911 at next month’s Frankfurt auto show.

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We are a part of the Barrier Motors family, where your complete satisfaction is our goal . . . from the moment you step on the lot . . . to the moment you step on the accelerator. Delivering the highest level of personal service and attention to everyone is a critical component of the Barrier credo and summed up by our tag line, “A promise to do more.”