2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Debuts With 543 HP, RWD, And A Manual

It’s based on the 911 Turbo S, and it’s coming to the United States.

Thanks to a sleek ducktail spoiler and some graphics, the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic isn’t just classic. There are no paddle shifters in the cockpit. Three pedals are located at your feet, and a stick shift is located in the middle console. There is no such thing as an automatic option. There is no option for all-wheel drive. And the driver is in charge of 543 horsepower, making it Porsche’s most powerful manual-transmission automobile.

As a result, the Porsche 911 Sport Classic could be considered an analogue supercar in a digital world. During a conference call with the media to discuss the Sport Classic, Porsche Special Projects Director Grant Larson referred to the latest 911 as “the Sport Classic.” Because the Sport Classic is based on the 911 Turbo S with the wider stance and, yep, the same 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, albeit detuned, you could call it a 911 Turbo S with a manual. The active suspension management system, ceramic brakes, dynamic chassis control, rear-axle steering, and the active suspension management system are all included as standard.

Porsche needed to incorporate the Turbo S’ flared backside into the Sport Classic in order to give the car a historic, widebody aspect. The iconic appearance is further enhanced by the ducktail spoiler, which pays homage to the popular Porsche Carrera RS from the 1970s. The double-bubble roof is reminiscent of the Porsche 997 Sport Classic. Outside and inside, Porsche badges harken back to the company’s previous looks. It’s also tough to overlook the Sport Vintage’s modern take on classic Fuchs wheels, which have been pumped up to 20 inches in front and 21 inches in back.

As you might imagine, the 911 Sport Classic includes many less obvious design features you won’t find on other models. The aforementioned roof is among them, made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The hood is also CFRP and not offered on the 911 Turbo. The fixed front lip spoiler and black LED-Matrix headlights are Sport Classic exclusives. Over-the-top striping most decidedly is a Sport Classic feature, as are the roundels with numbers on the doors. Buyers can choose any number between 1 and 99, or since it’s decals, they can be removed for a less-racecar look.

Given the 911 Turbo S engine in the back, the Sport Classic’s absence of side vents may come as a surprise. To provide a smooth, unbroken surface, new technology was developed to produce widebody fenders without vents. Boris Apenbrink, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur Director, stated to Motor1.com that detuning the engine meant less air was required. Engineers also adjusted other air channels, including ducts beneath the ducktail spoiler, to compensate for the missing vents. The result is an extremely sleek widebody design that is only available on the 911 Sport Classic.

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The interior of the special edition 911 has also been improved. For the first time since the 918 Spyder, semi-aniline leather is utilised, along with cloth seat inserts, cloth door panels, and wood trim to evoke a late 1960s-early 1970s ambiance. The analogue tachometer is retro-styled, and the greenhouse is littered with Porsche branding and the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur emblem. It’s also still a four-seater, as the 911 Sport Classic’s goal is to be a fun driver’s car rather than a hardcore track machine.

And for the first time, drivers in the United States will have the chance to sample the 911 Sport Classic. 1,250 are planned for global production, though specific allocations for the US aren’t yet known. It will be offered in four colors, including Black, Agate Grey Metallic, Gentian Blue Metallic, or Sport Grey Metallic – a shade made specifically for the Sport Classic. Buyers will also be eligible to get a special Sport Classic-themed watch, though pricing for that or the car isn’t available just yet.

The 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic should reach dealerships in late 2022.