The new Porsche 911 S/T comes equipped with a naturally aspirated engine and a manual transmission, and pays homage to its track-only namesake from the early 1970s. Prices start from U.S. $290,000.
The car shares its internals with the racing-only 911 GT3 RS, but it is the first time that Porsche mates this particular engine to a mechanical gearbox. It is also the lightest 911 model of the 992 generation.
The base specification is GT3 Touring, which means that there is no sophisticated aero kit or even a large rear wing. On the upside, the body mostly consists of reinforced plastic: the hood cover, the doors, the front fenders and the roof are all extremely lightweight. The wheels are made from magnesium alloy, the noise proofing is minimal, and the rear-wheel steering system has been deleted as well to save weight.
As a result, the car tips the scales at 1,380 kilos (3,042 pounds). Its four-liter flat-six engine delivers 525 PS (518 hp / 386 kW) via a lightweight clutch. With a power-to-weight ratio like this, it reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds – two tenths of a second faster than the model it is based upon. The top speed is also impressive at 300 km/h (186 mph).
Opting for a package named Heritage introduces retro stylistic touches like white wheels, number decals on the sides, a special paintjob, new fabric upholstery for the cabin, and a classic Porsche logo.
The manufacturer points out that the S/T is a car designed primarily for the road, rather than the racetrack, and targets those who seek driving enjoyment only obtainable from classic cars. A total of 1963 examples will be made, a nod to the year the first 911 was made.