Porsche 911 S/T revealed as a $600k driver’s dream, coming to NZ

If you didn’t think the Porsche 911 was enough of a driver’s car already, you will after hearing that the German carmaker has now paired the engine from the GT3 RS with a manual gearbox, wrapping it up in an S/T bow.

Porsche New Zealand has confirmed the model will be sold locally in limited numbers at a starting price of $608,000.

We admit that it can be hard for those who aren’t familiar with the multitude of special edition Porsches to distinguish what’s hot or not. However, this 60th-anniversary model is one you want to pay attention to.

The first thing you need to know is that the 911 S/T nameplate is a throwback to the race version of the 1969 911 S, internally known as the 911 ST. It features a host of modifications to make it go faster and handle better, which is the same ethos that has been applied to the new car.

Porsche started by using the body and chassis of the 911 GT3 Touring as its base for the new model, stripping it of any unnecessary weight thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre on the bonnet, roof, front fenders, and both doors. In total, the car weighs 1380kg which makes it the lightest 911 in the 992 generation line-up.

Mounted in the back is the same 4.0-litre flat six-cylinder from the 911 GT3 RS that produces 386kW and 465Nm of torque. But instead of being mated to a dual-clutch automatic transmission, you’ll instead find a short-ratio six-speed manual in its place.

In addition to the bodywork, weight savings have also been made to the drivetrain thanks to a single-mass flywheel which reduces rotating mass by 10.5kg, helping the engine rev much more hastily.

As far as performance is concerned, the 911 S/T can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of 300km/h.

Changes have been made to the car’s suspension, with it becoming the first current generation 911 to combine a double-wishbone front-axle design with a multi-link rear axle without rear-axle steering. A standard set of 20- and 21-inch centre-locking magnesium wheels feature on the front and rear respectively.

Porsche has optimised the 911 S/T’s aerodynamic profile for the road by ditching any shouty wings or splitters for a humble Gurney flap on the extending rear spoiler.

As standard, both the driver and passenger get carbon fibre bucket seats that can be exchanged for four-way adjustable sports seats at no extra charge. As a throwback to early 911s, the gauge cluster and central clock have been given a classic green Porsche colour scheme.

Customers can choose to finish their car in an exclusive Heritage Design Package, which includes a new Shoreblue Metallic exterior paint and Ceramica wheel colour. Each door gets a number roundel while the classic Porsche crest can be found on the bonnet, wheels, steering wheel, headrests, and key. The Heritage edition also comes with Classic Cognac cloth seat centres, another nod to the past.

Just 1963 examples of the Porsche 911 S/T will be made, a production number that references the birth year of the 911 some 60 years ago. New Zealand deliveries are expected to begin in early 2024.