Porsche 911 Sport Classic (992) – Reviews, Pricing, Specs & Buyers Guide
In 2010, Porsche released the original Type 997 911 Sport Classic. Limited run, a ducktail spoiler, a double-bubble roof hinting at its motorsport heritage, and a grey paint scheme that was both inoffensive and pleasing at the same time made it a very desirable car. Underneath, it was a 2010 911 Carrera S, tweaked and tuned to give the Sport Classic a little something special, and it proved to be a great idea. Porsche has decided that the idea of the Sport Classic was just too good to only happen once. Enter the 2023 Type 992 911 Sport Classic.
The new 911 Sport Classic is the second of four collector’s items that Porsche has presented from its Heritage Design strategy. A total of 1,250 examples of the limited-edition model by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur will revive the style of the 1960s and early 1970s. While the original was a Carrera S, this time around, the power and handling come from a much feistier car, the Type 922 Turbo S. Returning is that amazing grey paint, that swooping ducktail spoiler, and the double-bubble roof.
Like its immediate predecessor, the 997-based 911 Sport Classic presented in 2009, the appearance of this model is inspired by the original 911 (1964 – 1973) and in particular the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7.
Porsche Design has also created a high-quality chronograph exclusively available to drivers who purchase the collector’s edition vehicle. The watch seamlessly picks up on numerous details from the new 911 Sport Classic design. As part of the Heritage Design Classic package, selected interior elements of the new 911 Sport Classic will also be available for most current 911 models.
“The Heritage Design models represent the more emotionally driven concepts of the Porsche product strategy,” says Alexander Fabig, Head of Customisation and Classic. “This unique approach sees the Style Porsche design department working with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur to reinterpret iconic 911 models and equipment from the 1950s through to the 1980s and to revive design features from those decades.”
Reinterpreting historical design elements includes giving the Sport Classic a wide body. The wide body – otherwise reserved for the 911 Turbo models – a fixed rear spoiler in the style of the legendary ‘ducktail’ Carrera RS 2.7 and the double-bubble roof underscore the distinctiveness of the new 911 Sport Classic.
As with the first 997-generation 911 Sport Classic launched in 2009, the designers were inspired by the Fashion Grey paintwork of the early Porsche 356 when choosing the exclusive paint finish for the new limited-edition model. “The new 911 Sport Classic is the first vehicle to feature Sport Grey Metallic paintwork,” says Michael Mauer, Vice President Style Porsche. “Grey is never boring, quite often a statement and always cool.” As an alternative to the exclusive Sport Grey Metallic finish, the new 911 Sport Classic is also available in solid Black, Agate Grey Metallic or Gentian Blue Metallic. Twin stripes painted on the bonnet, roof and rear spoiler in light Sports Grey emphasise the car’s sporty design.
In the interior, the iconic Pepita houndstooth pattern can be found on the door panels and seat centres, while two-tone, semi-aniline leather upholstery in Black/Classic Cognac provides an elegant contrast with the exterior colour.
The 3.7-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine transfers 405 kW (550 PS) of power to the road, placing the 911 Sport Classic between the 911 GTS and 911 Turbo from a performance perspective. The engine is based on the options available for the current 911 Turbo models. Variable turbine geometry (VTG) and wastegates help to achieve the superior power delivery. The process air intake is a key feature of the 911 Sport Classic concept: the air is drawn in via ducts under the rear spoiler. As a result, this limited-edition model does not feature air intakes in the rear side panels like normal Turbo models.
The boxer engine is coupled with a seven-speed manual gearbox. The 911 Sport Classic is the most powerful manual 911 available today. The gearbox has an auto-blip function that compensates for speed differences between the gears with a brief burst of revs when shifting down. The shortened shift lever provides a quick shift action and a crisp feel.
The standard sports exhaust system has been specially modified to suit the model and provides an even more emotive sound thanks to the fact that some of the car’s interior insulation also has been removed.
The suspension, based on that of the 911 Turbo and 911 GTS models, meets high performance requirements: thanks to the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), its shock absorbers respond to dynamic changes at lightning speed. PASM is combined as standard with the sports suspension, which features a ride height that is lowered by 10 millimetres. The 911 Sport Classic features rear-wheel drive, meaning the axle load at the front is lower than on all-wheel drive models. For this reason, the Porsche suspension engineers have slightly reduced the spring rate on the front axle. The steering system, including the standard rear-axle steering, has also been modified especially for the 911 Sport Classic.
The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) is part of the standard equipment for this vehicle. The brake callipers are painted in High-Gloss Black and feature a white Porsche logo.
The 60s are back. The style-defining elements of the interior package include many features also found in the 911 Sport Classic, including the two-tone leather interior in Black/Classic Cognac (semi-aniline leather) and the houndstooth fabric, a legendary design that adorns the seats and door mirrors. The classic layout of the cockpit dials and the historic Porsche crest are also included.
The most significant design elements can be seen at the rear of the car. Here, the wider rear fenders of the 911 Turbo gain even more visual emphasis. Where those panels usually have large cutouts for air intakes associated with the 911 Turbo, the 911 Sport Classic has no such intakes. This creates a large, smooth surface and a very clean appearance. It might seem like a small change, but deleting the intakes required significant engineering work, and new tooling to stamp the panel, which runs from underneath the front of the car doors to the rear of the vehicle. Due to the eliminated air intakes, ducts underneath the ducktail spoiler channel combustion air to the engine while charge air continues to route through the grille above the engine for cooling. Finally, a large ducktail spoiler formed from CFRP gives a flourish of classic design DNA reminiscent of the 1972 and 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7.
“It’s not just the look of the 911 Sport Classic that makes it special. Its extensive technical modifications are some of its most striking features. For example, the 3.7-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine, rear-wheel drive and seven-speed manual gearbox combine to form a powertrain that is currently unique in the Porsche portfolio,” says Frank-Steffen Walliser, Vice President Model Line 911 and 718. “The sports suspension with lowered ride height and vehicle-specific tuning deliver excellent lateral dynamics when cornering.”
Updates and Pricing for 2023
We don’t know a lot about pricing for the 911 Sport Classic. We expect Porsche to announce details sometime in late 2022 as it starts to take orders. Stay tuned.
Pictures
Official Videos
Video Reviews
The 911 Sport Classic hasn’t been reviewed yet so we will update this section once we start to see reviews.
Official Press Release
04/28/2022
Return of the ducktail: 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic revealed
Atlanta, Georgia. The 911 Sport Classic is back, and this time it is coming to the U.S. market. Featuring the distinctive and purpose-driven ducktail spoiler that pays tribute to the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of the early 1970s, production of the new iteration is limited to 1,250 examples worldwide.
This new, limited-production model is a true driver’s car. It features a unique powertrain to complement its special design, which pays homage to past Porsche models. This is also the second model borne of the Heritage Design strategy, which began with the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition in 2020.
Manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and 543 hp
The new 911 Sport Classic is based on the 911 Turbo S, benefitting from its wide-body layout. Unlike the 911 Turbo models, the Sport Classic is available exclusively with a seven-speed manual transmission powering the rear wheels. Its engine, generating 543-hp and 442 lb.-ft. of torque, is the same 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-six found in the 911 Turbo models with revised engine mapping to deliver output compatible with the manual transmission. That combination also makes this the most powerful 911 with a manual transmission currently available.
Because the new model is based on the 911 Turbo S, it too features a comprehensive list of high performance equipment. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) with calipers in black, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC), Rear Axle Steering, the Sport Chrono Package, and a specially modified Sport Exhaust system are all included as standard.
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport is also standard and lowers the ride height by 10 millimeters. Due to the fact that this is a rear-wheel drive model, the front axle spring rates are slightly decreased by comparison to the all-wheel drive 911 Turbo S.
Despite its undeniable sports car pedigree, the 911 Sport Classic is designed with driver enjoyment in mind and while it’s certainly up to the task of turning quick track laps, this limited-edition model emphasizes style and driving pleasure above all else.
Second Heritage Design Edition model as part of Heritage Design strategy
This is the second in a series of four Heritage Design models where the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition was the first. The 911 Sport Classic shares certain design traits with that model including a heritage inspired Porsche crest nearly identical to the version from 1963, badges and PORSCHE lettering finished in real gold and special Exclusive Manufaktur badges on the front quarter panels. Finally, a Porsche Heritage badge fixed to the intake grille at the rear references the Porsche 356 badge that was awarded in the 1950s when a vehicle reached the 100,000 kilometer mark.
A special twist on classic style
Its striking body is based on the 911 Turbo, but with several elements that are unique including Sport Grey Metallic paint and painted contrasting stripes in light Sport Grey. Drawing inspiration from Fashion Grey, a color first applied to the Porsche 356, this color was created for the new 911 Sport Classic. Customers may also specify the 911 Sport Classic in Black (non-metallic), Agate Grey Metallic, or Gentian Blue Metallic.
Many design elements of the new 911 Sport Classic are unique to the limited model. Starting with the front, a fixed spoiler lip and LED-Matrix Design headlights in Black contribute to its purposeful appearance. The carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood – not offered on the 911 Turbo models – dips in the center. That indentation complements a CFRP double-bubble roof that is also special to the model and a design continuance of the first 911 Sport Classic dating back to the Type-997 generation.
Graphics along the sides further distinguish the car. These include PORSCHE script and a white lollipop that customers can specify with digits between 1 and 99 at no additional cost. These are intentionally applied as decals rather than paint so they may be removed in the future should the owner prefer to do so.
The 911 Sport Classic wheels, too, are special and unique to this car. As a modern re- interpretation of the Fuchs design, they are another nod to Porsche heritage. In this case, they use a center lock hub and measure 20 / 21 inches front and rear with tires measuring 255/35 ZR20 and 315/30 ZR21.
The most significant design elements can be seen at the rear of the car. Here, the wider rear fenders of the 911 Turbo gain even more visual emphasis. Where those panels usually have large cutouts for air intakes associated with the 911 Turbo, the 911 Sport Classic has no such intakes. This creates a large, smooth surface and a very clean appearance. It might seem like a small change, but deleting the intakes required significant engineering work, and new tooling to stamp the panel, which runs from underneath the front of the car doors to the rear of the vehicle. Due to the eliminated air intakes, ducts underneath the ducktail spoiler channel combustion air to the engine while charge air continues to route through the grille above the engine for cooling. Finally, a large ducktail spoiler formed from CFRP gives a flourish of classic design DNA reminiscent of the 1972 and 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7.
An interior with classic ambiance
The interior is equally as special as the exterior with materials meant to call back the 1960s and early 1970s including seat centers and door panels with Pepita cloth upholstery. The standard interior of this model uses semi-aniline leather in black and Classic Cognac. This is the first time since the 918 Spyder that Porsche has used this particularly supple and natural feeling grade of leather. A single-tone black leather interior is also optionally available.
Open-pore, dark Paldao wood trim is also standard equipment in this car as a contrast to the light Classic Cognac color. A badge on the passenger side of the dashboard above the glovebox enumerates each example in the 1,250-unit production run.
Little details throughout the interior set this car apart. The central, analog tachometer also provides retro style with a white needle and scale markings alongside green numbers and accents. The Sport Chrono clock in the dashboard gets the same treatment. The center console lid is embossed with the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur logo, while the headrests are embossed with the Porsche Crest. The door sill plates are also specific to this model, featuring the 911 Sport Classic logo. The sun visors, steering column and even the air vent slats are upholstered in leather. Perforated Race- Tex fabric makes up the headliner and covers the A-, B- and C-Pillars.
In addition to a owning a limited-edition model, 911 Sport Classic owners become eligible to purchase a unique watch from Porsche Design. The dial on the Chronograph 911 Sport Classic is configurable to match the vehicle. One option is a matte black Heritage Design dial. The green digits and scale markings, and the white hands are based on the tachometer in the vehicle. Alternatively, the watch dial is available with either the Sport Classic stripes in light Sport Grey or Pepita.
Like the Porsche logo at the rear of the car or the badge in the interior, the Porsche Design logo on the dial is made of gold. There is more gold-colored lettering on the seconds dial, which reads “911 Sport Classic Lim. Series.”
The design of the winding rotor draws inspiration from the wheels of the vehicle, and includes a cover that looks like the center-lock nut. It also bears the classic Porsche crest. The two wristbands included in the set – one in Black, one in Classic Cognac – also draw parallels with the vehicle. They are made from the same leather as the upholstery in the vehicle interior and feature an embossed “911.”
Technical highlights of the Chronograph 911 Sport Classic:
- Two-tone housing made of lightweight, durable titanium
- Werk 01.200 Porsche Design mechanical chronograph calibre
- Certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – the official
- Swiss chronometer testing institute)
- With flyback function: start, stop and reset instantly with a single action
- Sapphire crystal with a hard coating and sevenfold anti-glare properties
- Ability to switch wristbands with the quick-change system
Like all watches by Porsche Design, this special model is produced at the dedicated Porsche watch factory in Solothurn, Switzerland.
The 911 Sport Classic will be available in the United States as part of the 2023 model year. Dealer arrival is expected in late 2022. Pricing information will be announced closer to market arrival.
