Porsche revives ‘ducktail’ with 911 Sport Classic

PORSCHE has unveiled the second instalment of its four-model Heritage Design collection, and this time, the Zuffenhausen-based brand has evoked the early 70s with the 911 Sport Classic, which pays homage to the iconic 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7.

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur will produce only 1250 examples of the limited-edition model and well-heeled Australian enthusiasts can order one from $599,100 (excluding on-road costs and options). Local deliveries are expected to commence from Q4 2022.

Given that the 911 Sport Classic (which was previously produced on the 997-generation model’s platform in 2009) is more than $100k dearer than the flagship 911 Turbo S variant, it bears mentioning that the former is the most powerful manual-‘box 911 on the market.

This successor to the 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition from 2020, which incorporated design elements from Porsche’s 1950s and 1960s models, also draws inspiration from the first-generation 911 (produced from 1964 to 1973), but the Carrera RS 2.7 in particular…

The 911 Sport Classic’s wide-body style, which is usually reserved for the 911 Turbo models, is complemented with a fixed rear spoiler in the style of the legendary “ducktail” Carrera RS 2.7 and a double-bubble roof. For the limited-edition model’s exclusive paint finish, designers drew inspiration from the early 356 model’s Fashion Grey paintwork.

“The new 911 Sport Classic is the first vehicle to feature Sport Grey Metallic paintwork,” said 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, Gentian Blue Metallic or paint-to-sample (the latter available from October and without contrasting painted twin stripes).

As for the interior, the iconic Pepita pattern features on the 911 Sport Classic’s door panels and seat centres, while two-tone, semi-aniline leather upholstery in Black/Classic Cognac provides an elegant contrast with the exterior colour. Selected interior elements will also be available for most current 911 variants from September 2022; more info will made available online in the car configurator at Porsche.com.au in due course.

As part of the Heritage Design Classic package, Porsche offers a bespoke chronograph, which is exclusively available to drivers who purchase the collector's edition vehicle.

Meanwhile, the 911 Sport Classic is powered by a 405kW 3.7-litre, twin-turbo flat-six engine that drives the model’s rear wheels via a seven-speed manual gearbox.

The latter has an auto-blip function that compensates for engine-speed differences between the gears with a brief burst of revs when shifting down. The standard sports exhaust system is tailored to the model and emits “an even more emotive sound”.

The special-edition model’s suspension configuration is based on that of the 911 Turbo and 911 GTS models, which means the ride height has been lowered by 10mm and is aided, as standard, by the brand’s active suspension management (PASM) setup.