S/T celebrates 911’s 60th anniversary

DIAMOND anniversaries do not come along that often, and when they do, you can be sure an appropriate level of celebration is in order. Which is exactly what Porsche has elected to do in commemorating the 60^th anniversary of its iconic 911 sports car.

Priced from a staggering $660,500 plus on-road costs – or $382,700 more than the entry mark to the 911 range – the Porsche 911 S/T purist special edition will be limited to just 1963 units worldwide in honour of the model’s birth year.

At just 1380kg (kerb), it is said to be the lightest 911 of the 992 generation and is powered by the Porsche 911 GT3’s stellar 4.0-litre horizontally-opposed six-cylinder engine producing an impressive 386kW when paired with the standard short-ratio manual transmission.

Combining what Porsche says are the strengths of the 911 GTS with its Touring Package and the highlights of the 911 GTS RS, the 911 S/T is offered optionally with a Heritage Design Package the German brand says draws inspiration from the racing version of the 911 S from the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The design of the S/T combines many of the learnings from Porsche’s motorsport pursuits but with a focus purely on public road enjoyment. It is said to result in a package built for maximum driving enjoyment – a lighter driveline ensuring heightened response to throttle input and a taut chassis promising what Porsche says is “particularly dynamic responsiveness”.

Weight reduction measures applied to the bodywork include the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the construction of the bonnet, front guards, roof skin, doors, and air intakes. The same applies to the roll cage, bucket seats, rear axle anti-roll bar and rear shear panel.

Porsche also fits the 911 S/T with centre-locking magnesium wheels, ceramic composite brakes, thinner glass, lightweight exhaust system, and a lithium-ion starter battery, all aimed at shaving precious kilograms. The omissions of rear-axle steering and “driveline weight savings” cuts a further 40kg from the vehicle’s mass.

The 911 S/T is the only 911 of the current generation to combine a double-wishbone front-axle design with a multi-link rear axle without rear-axle steering. The dampers and control systems were tuned accordingly, Porsche says.

A lighter clutch and single-mass flywheel reduce rotating mass by 10.5kg, improving throttle response and character from the naturally aspirated engine. Porsche says the 911 S/T can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds and quotes a v-max of 300km/h.

Look closely at the bonnet of the 911 S/T and you’ll note the use of the original Porsche crest, the badge also applied to the hub caps, steering wheel, head restraints and key. The cabin of the model also features cloth seat inserts in Classic Cognac with black pinstripes, two-tone semi-aniline leather trim in Black/Classic Cognac, and a roof lining in perforated Dinamica.

The optional $36,760 Heritage Design Package adds a Shoreblue Metallic paint finish and Ceramica wheel colour, and door roundels numbered from 0 to 99 by customer option.

Of course, no commemorative edition Porsche would be complete without the option of a chronograph, and the 911 S/T is no exception. Porsche offers 911 S/T buyers “the opportunity” to purchase a titanium cased Porsche Design WERK 01.240 watch with COSC certification and flyback function for a tidy $21,041.

A “limited number” of the new Porsche 911 S/T can now be ordered in Australia for $660,500 +ORC. If you’re at all interested, we suggest getting in quickly, for even at this price, the 60^th anniversary special will not last long.

2023 Porsche 911 coupe pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.