Porsche Celebrates 911’s 60th Birthday with Lightweight Manual Special
Porsche has marked the 60th anniversary of its iconic 911 sports car with a special edition model that focuses on “purist” driving. The limited-edition Porsche 911 S/T weighs just 1380kg and combines a short-range manual shifter with the powerful 518bhp flat six engine from the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
The new 911 S/T is essentially a Porsche 911 GT3 Touring with GT3 RS underpinnings. It pays tribute to the racing version of the 1969 911 S and aims to promote “sheer driving enjoyment.” With the GT3 RS only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the 911 S/T becomes the most powerful car Porsche has equipped with a manual gearbox.
The six-speed manual in the 911 S/T has shorter ratios than the Porsche 911 GT3 and features a bespoke lightweight clutch. The single-mass flywheel alone shaves off 10.5kg, improving the responsiveness of the naturally aspirated boxer engine. Porsche claims that the engine now builds revs with exceptional speed and directness.
In addition to the lightweight clutch, stringent weight-saving measures have been implemented in the 911 S/T. Rear-steering has been omitted, and lightweight materials such as CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) have been extensively used. As a result, the 911 S/T is the lightest of the current-generation 911s, weighing just 1380kg. It is 45kg lighter than a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS and 70kg lighter than the 911 GT3 RS, despite its road-going focus.
The use of lightweight glass magnesium wheels and a lithium-ion starter battery further contribute to weight reduction. The 911 S/T accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds, 0.5 seconds faster than the GT3 RS, and has a top speed of 186mph. The absence of the GT3 RS’s large rear wing is responsible for the slight decrease in sprint time, as Porsche wanted to maintain the 911 S/T as a true successor to the 911 S racer from 1969.
Although the 911 S/T is focused on driving enjoyment on public roads rather than track use, it still features modern touches. An extending spoiler with a Gurney flap provides added downforce, and sizeable air vents dominate the front end. The car also comes with a lightweight sports exhaust system that adds to the overall driving experience.
Inside, the influence of the GT3 RS is evident, with reduced insulation, lightweight glass, and a full CFRP roll-cage. However, the 911 S/T retains some comfort features, such as retro-designed leather-cloth seats and a perforated microfiber headliner.
To commemorate its place in 911 history, Porsche has limited production of the 911 S/T to 1963 examples, a nod to the year when the first Porsche 911 was introduced. The starting price for this special edition model is €292,187 (£250,400). Additionally, Porsche offers a special Heritage Design Package (€17,505), which includes the same livery and special blue metallic paint as the 1960s 911 S racer.
The Porsche 911 S/T joins a series of other birthday presents that Porsche has given itself this year as it celebrates 75 years since its first sports car, the 356. This limited-edition model is a testament to Porsche’s commitment to delivering exceptional driving experiences and honoring the legacy of the iconic 911 sports car.