Frankfurt IAA: Porsche 911 Sport Classic
September 16th, 2009
Exclusive small series for 250 fans of the 911
At the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show Porsche Exclusive is taking up the tradition of very personal small model series built in a limited edition, this time as the 911 Sport Classic. This very special version of the 911 has been developed over a period of three years from the original concept to the final production vehicle, receiving the most thorough attention to detail.
The 911 Sport Classic caters for a particularly demanding group of Porsche customers and comes in a production run limited to just 250 cars worldwide. Extra engine power, the unique exterior with a new front and rear end, the new centre section in the roof, new side-sills and wheels, new design of the front and rear lights as well as the rear spoiler full of character prove the high technical standard of this very special project.
All 250 cars in this small series come in the exclusive new paintwork colour Sport Classic Grey, discreet dark trim strips accentuating the unique character of the car.
The very sophisticated and elegant interior in Espresso Nature sets new standards, going beyond even the well-known customisation of the interior already offered by Porsche Exclusive.
The most essential specifications of the 911 Sport Classic highlight the supreme class and quality of the car right from the start:
3.8-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed power unit developing 408 bhp (300 kW); six-speed manual gearbox; rear-wheel drive; acceleration from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds; top speed 302 km/h (187 mph); fuel consumption in the New European Driving Cycle 10.6 ltr/100 km (equal to 26.6 mpg imp).
The looks of this very special 911 are convincing right from the start, the SportDesign front panel with its purpose-built spoiler lip providing an aerodynamic balance with the rear spoiler and strongly emphasising the unique face of the 911 Sport Classic. The bi-xenon headlights with dynamic bending lights come as standard with black surrounds, taking up a special feature with a long tradition at Porsche already to be admired on famous racing cars in the history of the company, such as the 911 Turbo RSR in 1974. On the 911 Sport Classic these headlights with their black rings supplement other features finished in black such as the air intake grids, the mirror triangles and the lower sections on the mirror base.
The double-dome roof stands out clearly at very first sight from the front, again bearing reference to a long tradition already to be admired on the 911 Panamericana show car and in the roofline of the Carrera GT.
Through their unique shape, the side-sills emphasise the substantial width of the car at the rear: While the limited edition 911 Sport Classic is based on the 911 Carrera S, it comes with a rear end 44 millimetres (1.73”) wider and with rear track up by 34 millimetres or 1.34” for even more dynamic performance with substantial lateral acceleration.
An important feature not visible from the outside but highly relevant in practice is the use of aluminium on the doors which, together with other technologies, helps to set off the extra weight of the wide range of standard equipment.
Making clear reference to role models from the past: the ducktail rear spoiler
Looking at the car from behind, the first highlight is the rear spoiler fixed in position and in new design. Following the example of the “ducktail” spoiler already featured on the legendary Carrera RS 2.7 in the 1973 model year, the new spoiler, forming part of the Aerodynamic Package, makes a significant contribution to the sporting driving characteristics of the 911 Sport Classic.
A likewise unique rear panel following in style the particularly sporting design of the GT cars, rounds off the special look of the 911 Sport Classic together with the rear light clusters in clear glass.
The rear lid proudly bears a chrome-plated “911 Sport Classic” model designation and an “Exclusive” placard on the front right wing confirms the outstanding exclusivity of this small and very special model series. A customised car cover delivered in a matching bag comes as standard with each car, offering an indispensable detail for the collector.
The engine: newly developed resonance intake system with six switching butterflies
The 3.8-litre flat-six power unit with Direct Fuel Injection is based on the engine already featured in the 911 Carrera S. Working carefully on various details in the intake manifold, Porsche’s engineers have increased engine output and torque particularly in the medium speed range, modified cylinder heads, a new intake system and new engine management serving to raise engine output by 23 bhp to 408 horsepower.
A particular highlight is the new, variable resonance intake system featuring six vacuum-controlled flaps switching between a more power- and a more torque-oriented geometry. Opening or closing simultaneously as a function of engine speed and the position of the gas pedal, these flaps optimise the oscillation of air in the intake manifold for a better cylinder charge. The result is an optimum supply of fresh air into the combustion chambers under all conditions, maintaining maximum torque and optimising the torque curve together with an increase in engine output.
The exhaust system specially developed for this unique model provides exactly the right exhaust gas counter-pressure, the high-gloss tailpipes with their classic grid inserts likewise purpose-built for the 911 Sport Classic as well as the upper shell on the air filter housing in genuine carbon adding a particularly powerful look.
The increase in engine power is achieved with maximum efficiency, maintaining the full fuel economy and CO2 emission ratings of the 911 Carrera S.
Clearly reflecting its name, this limited edition model is consistently sporting in every respect, with appropriate equipment and exactly the right set-up. The Sport Chrono Package Plus, for example, comes as standard and the 911 Sport Classic is available only with a manual gearbox. The reduction of gearshift travel, in turn, offering a perfect match for the car, comes at no extra cost.
In addition to its PASM sports suspension and ride height lowered by 20 millimetres or 0.79”, the 911 Sport Classic also comes with a rear axle differential for very dynamic performance on the road.
Yet another standard feature in the 911 Sport Classic is PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes. Cross-drilled and inner-vented, these composite ceramic brake discs measuring 350 millimetres or 13.8” in diameter weigh approximately 50 per cent less than comparable brake discs made of grey-cast iron, providing a reduction of unsprung masses beneficial above all to the car’s driving dynamics.
In conjunction with the likewise purpose-built brake linings, the ceramic brake discs immediately build up a very high and in particular consistent frictional coefficient whenever required. In comparison with conventional brake discs, surface abrasion is limited to a minimum thanks to the extremely hard surface of the ceramic discs. The service life of the PCCB brake system, as a result, is very long indeed.
One of the most striking features on the 911 Sport Classic is the new 19-inch Sport Classic wheels with their rim centre finished in high-gloss black paint. Bearing a clear resemblance to what must be the most classic Porsche wheel of all times – the world-famous Fuchs rims designed by Porsche in the sixties and subsequently produced by Fuchs – the new wheels are nevertheless simply perfect for today’s world, adding to the striking look of this small, exclusive series.
The 19-inch Sport Classic wheels come with the largest wheel dimensions on all 911 models (with the exception of the GT cars) and run on 305/30 ZR 19 tyres at the rear. A wheel set for retrofitting these special wheels on selected, regular versions of the 911 is in preparation and the tyre pressure control system, again featured as standard, rounds off the suspension of the 911 Sport Classic.
Exclusive materials and features within the interior
The specially designed, top-quality interior of the 911 Sport Classic sets new standards in its quality of finish, flair and appearance. Two new materials never used by Porsche before accentuate this particular touch of class and quality – woven leather and a special carpet material in new design. The former is a special material woven out of smooth strips of leather and yarn strengthened by a lining at the bottom. It is used on the seat centrepieces of the newly designed adaptive sports seats with light-grey piping and in the door linings.
The dashboard, together with all inserts and additional components, is finished in natural leather in a special Espresso Nature colour. This refinement then continues to the very last detail, with even the air vent louvers finished elaborately by hand in ultra-thin leather reflecting that particular style of Porsche Exclusive.
The instrument cluster specially designed for the new model is integrated perfectly into the dashboard, together with its surrounds in aluminium look. The instrument dials themselves come in black and boast the design of the exterior trim strips together with a 911 Sport Classic model designation.
The lower section of the instrument panel is likewise finished in leather and comes with a special placard near the glove compartment cover bearing the number of each individual model within the series limited to just 250 cars. The same number is then repeated on the chrome-plated, illuminated door entry trim covers. Great attention to detail is also borne out by the leather around the ignition lock, the matching folder for the car’s keys and the on-board owner’s manual folder made of natural leather. The three-spoke steering wheel with its hand-sewn criss-cross seams in contrasting colour is yet another highly individual feature on the 911 Sport Classic, just like the gearshift and handbrake levers made of aluminium with the gearshift pattern shown in a special colour matching the interior and the name “Porsche” presented in ceramic.
Additional colour highlights are provided by the silver-grey belts which, like the roof lining finished in light-grey alcantara, are matched perfectly to the exterior colour of the car.
The wide range of interior features all provided as standard is rounded off in terms of acoustics by the BOSE® Surround Sound System developed especially for Porsche and perfectly tailored to the acoustic conditions within the 911. A total of 13 loudspeakers including an active subwoofer and centre speaker as well as a seven-channel digital amplifier ensure a truly impressive experience in sound. When playing music from audio or video DVDs, this 385 W system offers the full sound spectrum of digital 5.1 recordings.
The 911 Sport Classic is available worldwide with the exception of North America including Canada, Argentina, Romania, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and China (but is available in Hong Kong).
Exclusive & Tequipment: wide range of customisation options for every Porsche
The 911 Sport Classic built in a small and very exclusive series demonstrates the core competences of Porsche’s Exclusive & Tequipment Division as well as the special advice offered to customers looking for truly exclusive, one-off masterpieces reflecting the individual taste and lifestyle of their owners.
Ever since the 1980s customer advisors have consistently applied this principle to create customised, one-off masterpieces together with the individual customer based on one of Porsche’s production models.
To create such exceptional cars, the Exclusive & Tequipment advisors not only use the many Exclusive options for personalising a car as presented in the Porsche Car Configurator, but may also make the customer acquainted with highly individualised demonstration cars at the Zuffenhausen and Leipzig Plants. In this process the Exclusive & Tequipment advisors seek to turn every wish on the part of the customer into reality, as long as it is technically feasible and complies with the values of the Porsche brand.
Exclusive & Tequipment Customer Advice is available in the internet at www.porsche.com for Customisation & Service, and also on +49 (0)711 911-25977 as well as per e-mail at customercenter-exclusive@porsche.de.
All-round support for classic Porsche cars
More than 70 per cent of all Porsche cars ever built are still on the road today – and Porsche Classic makes sure that this stays this way. Apart from the grandfather of the 911 Sport Classic, the 911 Carrera RS 2.7, Porsche Classic offers support for all classic Porsche models currently up to the 993 series of the Porsche 911.
Through its Original Classic Parts and Classic Works Restoration Departments, Porsche Classic ensures the ongoing appeal and mobility of historical Porsche cars. The Porsche Classic range comprises more than 35,000 original parts sold through Porsche’s worldwide dealer network. The Classic Works Restoration Department, in turn, offers not just partial and complete restoration, but also maintenance and accident repair for classic Porsche cars. Original tools and documents, as well as the special know-how of Porsche employees with years of experience, make Porsche Classic absolutely unique and ensure the ongoing growth of value of customer cars.
The complete range of services and products offered by Porsche Classic is to be found at www.porsche.com/classic.
Related posts: