2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic article highlights:
- 13 years after the release of the original 911 Sport Classic, Porsche makes another model for the 992-gen car
- In addition to retro interior and exterior design elements, the 2023 911 Sport Classic bundles the current Turbo’s engine with a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive and some desirable performance characteristics
- It is limited to 1250 examples worldwide
Like many high-end automakers, Porsche is acutely aware of the influence of its heritage. As such, it also regularly publishes historical topic models. However, while it’s not immune to a simple livery match, Porsche’s retro-inspired cars tend to be more special. For example, the 718 Boxster 25 Years not only rocked the Boxster concept color, but also featured a six-cylinder engine. While the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic looks very retro, it also comes with a variable-speed rear-wheel-drive turbo.
Vintage retro Porsche 911 Sport Classic returns for 2023, ducktail spoiler and all
- 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | Porsche
- 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic Front Interior | Porsche
Although the acronym for the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic is “SC”, it does not refer to the “Super Carrera” of the 1978-1984 SC. But the 2023 car and its ducktail spoiler reference the 911 Carrera, the iconic 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS. Or rather, they’re a reference to the previous limited-edition 2.7 RS — sort of.
Let me explain. In 2010, Porsche released a Carrera 2.7 RS-themed version of the 997-generation 911: the original Sport Classic. But because it didn’t think many people wanted one, it only released 250 examples purely for the European market. In the case of the 911 R, however, buyers fell for one.
In short, when it comes to the demand for retro-themed products from its fan base, Porsche has the message. So, after building the 718 Boxster 25 Years, the 911 Targa Heritage Edition and the 996-based Classic Club Coupe, it brings the Sport Classic to the 992 generation.
First off, yes, the new Sport Classic still has a ducktail rear spoiler. Plus, like the 2010 model, it features Fuchs-style center-lock wheels and a double-bubble roof for extra helmet space. The 2023 911 Sport Classic even comes in the same shades of grey and stripes as the 2010 model, car trends Say. In a more retro nod, Porsche gave it black and white plaid seat inserts, green backlit gauges and a 1963-style hood badge.
However, the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic is more than just a visual package. For one thing, that double-bubble roof is a carbon fiber panel. The hood is also carbon fiber. As mentioned, this 911 has a special Turbo heart wrapped under its skin.
This is the only way to get a manual RWD 911 Turbo
- 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic rear 3/4 | Porsche
- 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo | Porsche
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2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo | |
engine | 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder | 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged six-cylinder |
horsepower | 543 hp | 572 hp |
torque | 442 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
send | Seven-speed manual | Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic |
drive type | rear drive | four-wheel drive |
Curb weight | pending | 3635 lbs |
0-60 mph time | pending | 2.7 seconds (claimed with Sport Chrono components) 2.4 seconds (car and driver) |
Although Porsche has yet to release an official 0-60 mph estimate for the 2023 911 Sport Classic, it will undoubtedly be slower than the more powerful Turbo. However, while the 911 Turbo and Turbo S are blazingly fast everyday-driving supercars, they lack two things the Sport Classic does. Unlike automatic AWD Turbos, the Sport Classic is RWD and manual.That makes it the only way to get a variable-speed RWD 911 Turbo in the US
But the 2023 911 Sport Classic doesn’t just have a turbocharged engine. Porsche equipped the 911 Turbo with rear-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars and 0.4-inch-low PASM Sport active dampers. It also comes standard with Porsche’s Sport Chrono package and carbon-ceramic brakes. Additionally, Porsche retuned the front springs to fit the RWD drivetrain, car and driver added.
Additionally, the 2023 Sport Classic features the Turbo’s wider body. But this is not just a simple case of fender surgery, mt notes. Porsche designed a new air intake-less quarter panel specifically for this car and redirected the air intakes below the spoiler. Therefore, the Sport Classic does not have the active aerodynamics of the Turbo. But given all these suspension and chassis features, it shouldn’t have any problem keeping up in corners, car and driver Say.
How much will the limited edition 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic cost?
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At the time of writing, Porsche has not released pricing details for the 2023 911 Sport Classic. But while it may not be cheaper than a 911 Turbo, car and driver It is estimated that it will be cheaper than the Turbo S. For context, the 2022 911 Turbo starts at $174,300, while the Turbo S starts at $207,000.
However, even if the Sport Classic ends up priced like the Turbo S, it might be worth it. After all, even a fully loaded 911 Turbo S doesn’t offer a carbon fiber hood. Also, remember those plaid inserts? They sit in the nougat leather upholstery that was last used in Porsche’s hybrid supercar, the 918 Spyder. Also, while the Sport Classic’s hood badge is “only” gold, its rear lettering is made of solid gold. Again, it’s a RWD stick-shift turbo.
“Not cheap” isn’t the only feature of the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic, though. On the plus side, Porsche is selling the car worldwide and has built over 250 examples. But it only made 1250 examples for the whole world.
So if you want an instant classic, you might want to line up now.
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