Porsche has celebrated the 60th birthday of the 911 with a ‘purist’ special called the 911 S/T. The sportscar weighs just 1,380kg and pairs a short-ratio 6-speed manual with a 525hp flat-six from the 911 GT3 RS.
- Porsche 911 S/T comes with a focus on 'purist' driving
- Only 1,963 units will be produced
Taking inspiration from both the Porsche 911 GT3 Touring and the GT3 RS, the new 911 S/T has been conceived as a tribute to the racing version of the 1969 911 S, and, according to Porsche, aims to promote “sheer driving enjoyment”.
To mark its place in 911 history, Porsche will produce only 1,963 units as a tribute to the year they launched the first 911. This joins a long line of other presents Porsche has gifted itself this year, as the Stuttgart-based auto giant celebrates 75 years since it launched its first sports car: the 356.
Porsche 911 S/T Performance
With the GT3 RS available only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 911 S/T becomes the most powerful naturally aspirated 911s to come with a manual gearbox. It is powered by a 4.0-litre, flat-six petrol engine that produces 525hp and 465Nm, with the 6-speed manual gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. The 911 S/T has a 0-100kph of 3.7sec with a top speed of 300kph. The drop in the 0-100kph sprint can be attributed to the fact that the S/T doesn’t feature the GT3 RS’ swan-neck rear wing.
This six-speed manual has shorter ratios than the 911 GT3, and is engaged via a bespoke lightweight clutch – the single-mass flywheel by itself is said to shave 10.5kg. This “noticeably improves” the responsiveness of the naturally aspirated boxer engine, which “now builds revs with bracing speed and directness”, said Porsche.
Stringent weightsaving measures, including the omission of rear-wheel steering, and the extensive use of lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) mean it is also the lightest of the current-generation 911s. At just 1,380kg, the 911 S/T is 45kg lighter than a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and 70kg lighter than the 911 GT3 RS, despite its more overt road-going focus. Lightweight glass magnesium wheels also help to save weight, as does a lithium-ion starter battery.
Porsche 911 S/T exterior
Keeping up with the 'purist' traits, Porsche took styling cues from the 1969 911 S racer when designing the 911 S/T's exterior; cementing its place as its true successor. Not all modern touches have been binned, with the S/T getting an extending spoiler with a Gurney flap for added downforce, with sizeable air vents dominating the front end.
Porsche has also added a lightweight sports exhaust system, which, according to them, adds “a compelling soundscape”. And, unlike the 911 GT3 RS, the focus of the 911 S/T has not been on track use but on usability and the driving experience on public roads. A special Heritage Design Package is also offered, adding the same livery and special blue metallic paint as the 1960s 911 S racer.
The Porsche 911 S/T interior
The interiors take design cues from the RS with reduced insulation, lightweight glass and a full CFRP roll-cage, but elements such as retro-designed leather-cloth seats and perforated microfibre headliner are premium touches that help maintain the quality expected from Porsche.
An original 911 badge features on the front, the steering wheel, the wheels and the headrests, and the 911 S/T badge at the back is finished in gold.
Porsche in India
While there has been no official announcement from Porsche regarding the 911 S/T's India launch, the car is already listed on the Porsche India website. This could add into the extensive list of Porsche cars available in India, including the 911 series, Cayenne, Panamera, Macan, Taycan and the 718 range.
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