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Porsche 911 Sport Classic 2023: The ducktail is back in special collector's edition

Fans of iconic Porsche design have something new to celebrate: The 911 ducktail is back. This time around it takes the form of the limited-edition 911 Sport Classic, which pays tribute to the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of the early 1970s. Production of this 543-hp collector's car is limited to 1,250 examples worldwide.

The new 911 Sport Classic is based on the current 911 Turbo S, but it is rear-wheel drive instead of AWD. Unlike the 911 Turbo models, the Sport Classic is available exclusively with a seven-speed manual transmission powering the rear wheels. Its 543-hp twin-turbo boxer engine, generating 442 lb-ft of torque, is the same 3.7-L 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.

The 911 Sport Classic features a comprehensive list of high-performance equipment. Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes with calipers in black, Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control, Rear Axle Steering, the Sport Chrono Package, and a specially modified Sport Exhaust system are all included as standard. Porsche Active Suspension Management Sport is also standard and lowers the ride height by 10 mm. 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.

This is the second in a series of four Heritage Design models from Porsche (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.

The car's wide-body stance is based on the 911 Turbo, but with several unique elements, 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 can also specify the 911 Sport Classic in Black (non-metallic), Agate Grey Metallic, or Gentian Blue Metallic.

Other unique elements include a fixed front spoiler lip and LED-Matrix Design headlights in black, a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic hood (not offered on the 911 Turbo models) that dips in the center, and a double-bubble roof that is a design continuance of the first 911 Sport Classic dating back to the Type-997 generation.

Graphics along the sides further distinguish the car, and customers can specify the lollipop lettering with digits between 1 and 99 at no additional cost. The wheels are special too, with 20 in. in the front and 21 in. in the rear (255/35 ZR20 and 315/30 ZR21 tires).

In the rear, there are no rear-fender cutouts for air intakes like on the 911 Turbo. This creates a large, smooth surface and a very clean appearance. In the new design, 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.

The inside balances a homage to 1960s and early 1970s Porsche design with the requirements of today's driver. 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. Seat centers and door panels feature Pepita cloth upholstery. A single-tone black leather interior is also available.

Open-pore, dark Paldao wood trim is also standard equipment, providing 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.

The central, analog tachometer and the Sport Chrono clock in the dashboard add to the retro style. 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.

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 has not been announced, but we expect it to run somewhere around $250,000+.

Learn more at porsche.com/usa/models/911/911-sport-classic/911-sport-classic/.

Source: Porsche

Published June 2022

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