The New Limited-run Porsche 911 S/T Is For The Purist, Literally

• Porsche celebrates 60 years of the 911 with a limited edition 911 S/T model.

• Limited to 1,963 units worldwide.

• Boasts the title of being the lightest 911 of the 992 generation with a kerb weight of 1,380kg.

• Offers the engine from the 911 GT3 RS and body of the 911GT3 touring.

Porsche knows a thing or two about making cars with a soul that connects straight to your heart. They rarely fall short on driving engagement and feedback, and the new 992 generation 911 is the epitome of that. The entire range of the sports car serves different purposes, but has a similar ethos that’s apparent in its exalted driving experiences. And now, there’s a new one on the block, arguably the purest version there is of this generation.

What is it?

Meet the Porsche 911 S/T, a limited run 911, which is an amalgam of elements from the 911 GT3 RS with the body of the 911 GT3 with Touring package or in simpler words, without the crazy aero. 

The special edition marks the 60th anniversary of the 911 sports car. The S/T in its moniker marks it as a descendent to the first performance-focused version of the first-gen 911, called the 911 ST internally. It follows the same spirit with no wings, and aerodynamic aids (limited in the 911 S/T’s case) in particular, while focusing on modifications to the chassis, suspension components, engine and everything else that aids dynamic handling.

The extensive use of carbon fibre is definitely one of the factors helping it boast the lightest kerb weight of 1,380kg for this generation of 911s. This figure is also courtesy of reduced insulation materials and removal of the rear wheel steering, which help it save 40kg over the manual 911 GT3 Touring.

The cabin layout is similar to other 911s. Full bucket seats, or CFRP full bucket seats, as Porsche calls them, are offered as standard and can be swapped with the four-way-adjustable sports seats for no additional cost. The 911 S/T’s instrument cluster and clock (sports chrono package) get a classic green finish.

The styling here is rather familiar, given that the body is similar to the GT3 Touring package. But there’s the optional heritage pack, which further ups the ante on desirability as it draws inspiration from the racing version of the 911 S of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Exclusive to it are the Shoreblue Metallic exterior shade and the very well contrasting wheel rim colour Ceramica. You can choose a number of your choice between 0 and 99, which can be applied in profile. There’s also exclusive Black/Classic Cognac leather trims for the interior as part of this package.

How pure is it really?

The engine underneath the skin is the same as the 911 GT3 RS - a 4-litre straight six petrol engine producing 525PS and 464Nm. What isn’t the same is the single-mass flywheel and the short-geared six-speed manual transmission. Blessing to whoever’s decision it was to equip the latter, because the shorter gearing will see you wanting to shift between gears a lot more than usual, making the experience with the car even more intimate and involving. 

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0-100kmph comes up in 3.7 seconds, while it can take you to speeds of up to 300kmph. Even though the 911 S/T will happily accompany you and easily put a smile on your face on a track day, Porsche has optimised it for better use on the road. This includes aero optimisation, tuning the damping and other control modules for better public manners.

Models like this one are a unicorn in today’s bias towards electrification, automatics and hybridisation. What this represents is the very last of the quintessential sports car that has defined generations of pure, unfiltered motoring. This Porsche 911 S/T is an instant classic in our eyes, and we reckon some units will have to be allocated for our shores as well. It should be priced lower than the 911 GT3 RS, which retails from Rs 4.02 crore (ex-showroom), and will fight off competition from the likes of the Ferrari Roma, Lamborghini Huracan, and the upcoming Aston Martin DB12.