In 2010, Porsche rolled out the first iteration of its 911 Sport Classic with a 997-gen 911 based on that year’s GTS coupe. And while this initial 250 unit run was reserved for the brand’s native European market, Porsche has now announced an all-new 992-gen 911 Sport Classic that, this time, is destined for American shores.
Carefully crafted by Porsche’s Exclusive Manufaktur division, the new 911 Sport Classic is based on the automaker’s current 911 Turbo S model, though it has been bestowed with a slew of features that pay homage to Porsche’s cars of yesteryear. This includes a modernized take on the 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7’s distinctive ducktail spoiler that’s crafted from carbon fiber, contemporary 20”/21” wheels that are modeled after the iconic five-arm Fuchs items from the early 1970s, and all-gold badging that includes a special 1963-era Crest emblem. The car is also offered in a host of throwback livery options, each of which is complemented via double racing stripes and roundels with custom-configurable race numbers.
Jettisoning the regular model’s automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive system, the Sport Classic is offered exclusively with an RWD setup and a seven-speed manual transmission. The car is also powered by the 911 Turbo S’s same 3,745 cc twin-turbo boxer six engine — the most powerful mill currently offered in a manual transmission 911 — though it’s been re-tuned to make 543hp and 442ft-lbs of torque — down from the regular version’s 640hp and 590ft-lbs. With that said, we still anticipate a sub-3-second 0-60mph time and a top speed in the ballpark of 200mph. Trimmed in semi-aniline Cognac leather, the retro-inspired interior of the car also sports a slew of nods to vintage Porsche offerings such as Pepita diamond pattern door and seat inserts inspired by the houndstooth interiors of the original 911, a central analog tachometer, a dash-embedded Sport Chrono stopwatch, a heritage design plaque, and special “911 Sport Classic” doorsills.
Limited to just 1,250 units, the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic is scheduled to hit U.S. dealerships in late 2022, and though pricing has yet to be announced, we anticipate a significant premium over the $207,000 MSRP of the 911 Turbo S that the limited-edition model is based on. The Stuttgart firm will also be offering a special-edition Porsche Design Chronograph 911 Sport Classic watch that will be available exclusively to buyers of the new 911 Sport Classic.
