SPEEDOMETER

The Porsche 911: A Timeless Titan

by Tan Ju Kuang
29 Sep 2023

The 911 – arguably the most iconic sports car ever – turns 60 this year. Porsche is celebrating this milestone in style by rolling out the new Porsche 911 S/T.

It’s hard to believe that six decades have passed since Porsche introduced the very first 911 at the 1963 Frankfurt International Motor Show. Since that momentous introduction, the 911 (originally called the 901) has grown to become undoubtedly the world’s most recognizable and respected sports car. Certainly, F.A. Porsche’s design of the iconic automobile has a silhouette that is immediately identifiable by most drivers today.

F.A. Porsche, designer of the 911, with a 1:5-scale model 911 S Targa in 1968. Photo courtesy of porsche.com

From 12 September 1963 to the present, Porsche has continued to introduce new generations of the 911 filled with ground-breaking and avant-garde technologies – all the while maintaining its rich heritage and performance traditions. 

The new Porsche 911 S/T commemorates the brand’s grand 60-year journey through the automotive annals.With only 1,963 units built, the ultra-exclusive, special edition 911 S/T is a birthday present to those seeking unfiltered driving pleasure, by combining the best parts of the GT3 RS with the stealthy, analogue GT3 with Touring Package.

The 911 S/T pays tribute to a classic model of the same name, first introduced in 1970-72, featuring the enhanced performance characteristics of the first-generation 911 S mated to the lightweight body the 911 T. The entire package was streamlined and tweaked further for racing, resulting in one of the rarest and most desirable iterations of the 911 in Porsche’s history. Following this legacy, the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T unites the strengths of the 911 GT3 with Touring Package with the power of the 911 GT3 RS, creating a unique combination of agility and driving dynamics.


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Shaving weight off for more performance has always been modus operandi for any Preuninger-developed fast Porsche. This exclusive anniversary model weighs in at just 1,380kg in kerb weight making it the lightest model of the 992 generation. Lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is used in the front bonnet, roof, front wings, and doors. Magnesium wheels and lightweight glass help to reduce unneeded weight, making it 40kg lighter than the manual 911 GT3 Touring.

As with all Porsches that roll out from the famed Zuffenhausen plant in Stuttgart, Germany, the greatest pleasure in owning one comes from sitting behind the wheel. The latest 911 S/T boasts the naturally aspirated, 4.0-litre boxer engine from the 911 GT3 RS that can put out 386kW (525PS) of power. A new lightweight clutch developed by Porsche engineers exclusively for the 911 S/T with a new single-mass flywheel further reduces weight by 10.5kg, and greatly increases the dynamic response of the boxer setup.

Combine this with a six-speed manual transmission with shortened gear ratios compared to the 911 GT3, and you have a high-revving 911 S/T that can take you from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.7 seconds. And as you take the car to its maximum speed of 300km/h, the soundtrack of the lightweight sports exhaust system singing in the background to 9,000 rpm will be like none other.

Road holding and stability at speed are at elite levels, as the 911 S/T brings over the same motorsport-derived suspension system from the GT3 RS; on the S/T, the Porsche Active Stability Management (PASM) system has been thoroughly reworked for fast road driving rather than circuit work, making this machine a true B-road blaster. Ultra-high-performance  Michelin Cup 2 tyres on the 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels further contribute to the car’s handling prowess, while the CFRP full bucket seats keep occupants comfortably ensconced as the car goes through its blazing paces.

The new Porsche 911 S/T presents a stunning face at every angle. While the omni-present 911 silhouette is unmistakable, the new model features several exciting design elements that ushers in a new era.Form and function come together with this anniversary model as car retains subtleness with panache, but adds functional enhancements such as a larger rear air intake with special badging, side slat garnishes and crucial aerodynamic aids such as a gurney flap on the edge of the decklid. Stealthy appeal is the calling card of the 911 S/T, its intentional exclusion of the chunky wing from the GT3 RS a tribute to the “Touring” spirit of the original 1972 Porsche 911 S/T.


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While the 911 S/T features the same flared arches harking back to the original, the ‘Heritage Design Pack’ available as an optional extra also brings new exterior touches like a Shore Blue Metallic colour and Ceramica wheel paint. If desired, staring numbers from “0” to “99”, as well as a decorative foil can be applied to the door for further personalisation.

Inside, cloth seat centres with smart, black pinstripes are another homage to the car’s heritage roots. On request, the Heritage Design Pack also brings two-tone semi-aniline leather trim in Black/Classic Cognac to enrich the interior further, made by the artisans and engineers from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

The Porsche 911 has captured the hearts and minds of the world over the decades. It has come to be a symbol of tasteful automotive exuberance and celebrated by people of taste and global standing. Tom Cruise, Steve McQueen, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Gates, Keanu Reeves and Kendall Jenner count among the numerous luminaries that have succumbed to the 911’s irresistible spell. As a cultural icon, the car’s incarnations on the silver screen as “Sally Carrera” in “Cars”, and the 911 Turbo 3.6 in the original “Bad Boys”, as well as in e-games like “Need For Speed” stamp its relevance beyond the roads.

Keanu Reeves, a Porsche lover, and his black 911 Carrera 4S with a sunroof and manual transmission.

Whether you’re a racing car enthusiast with a penchant for track days or want a legendary Porsche to drive around every day, the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T is not only a sports car of choice, but one that is also a Porsche milestone that will likely become a collectors’ item in due time. To own this anniversary model is not only paying tribute to high-engineering and performance, but also a purist pursuit to be a part of Porsche’s indelible legacy.

For a taste of the exceptional sports car, visit the Porsche NOW Pop-Up today to experience the 911 (subject to availability, by appointment only), and be part of this illustrious Porsche heritage and legacy.

Porsche Through the Ages

Since its inception and introduction 60 years ago, the Porsche 911 has captured the imagination of the automotive world with the unique combination of aesthetics and engineering excellence. The timeless design elements of the 911 is undeniable, but the car has also gone through several generational transformations through the decades- getting stronger, faster, and better in the quest for sports car perfection.


Here is a brief account to highlight key milestones of the legendary Porsche 911.


12 September 1963 – The world is introduced to the very first Porsche 911 at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. Originally named 901, the moniker was changed just before its debut.


1968 to 1970 – The Porsche 911 T wins the Monte Carlo Rally for the first time in 1968, followed by victories in the next two years.


1974 –The Porsche 911 G Series makes its mark. In this generation, Porsche introduces the 911 Turbo (Porsche 930),  the fastest production car in Germany at the time, with a 2.7-litre boxer engine churning out 240hp.


1988 – Introduction of the Porsche 911 964, arguably one of the most beautifully designed and desired models in its history. Eighty-five percent of its components were brand new, along with an all-new architecture. The 964 Carrera RS proved to be one of the most-sought after Porsches in its time (and today among enthusiasts), and the first Porsche to offer Tiptronic automatic transmission and all-wheel drive options.


1993 – Introduction of the Porsche 911 993, a technical and visual departure from the 964. The 993 ended Porsche’s era of air-cooled models with a water-cooled engine that was quieter and more efficient. The new light-alloy subframe with coil and wishbone suspension greatly improved the engine and handling. The rear-wheel drive 993 GT2 was built based on the 911 Turbo with significant upgrades. If you can find one today, it will likely set you back nearly US$1 million.


1997 – The Porsche 911 996 premieres at the Frankfurt International Motor Show. The car features an all-new chassis and a new water-cooled engine. Designers Pinky Lai and Grant Larson introduced new headlights in the 996 Carrera that broke tradition from the round design that had become synonymous with the 911. The flatter, oval lights with their amber indictors earned them the nickname “fried eggs”.


1998 – The 911 GT1 brings Porsche back to its winning ways by taking overall wins at the gruelling 24-hour Le Mans. Its double win for the 911 GT1 98 celebrated the team’s 16th overall victory at the historic race.


2004 – Introduction of the Porsche 911 997. Improvements in the interior and exterior to the 996 continues the 911 evolution. The fried egg headlights was replaced by the notable “bug eye” units.


2011 – The entirely new platform of the Porsche 911 991 introduced at the Geneva Motor Show is only the third since the original launched in 1963. That same year, Porsche introduced the 911 Speedster, blending features from the original 356 Speedster with the contemporary performance of the 911 generation. Only 1,948 units of the 2011 911 991 Speedster was made, commemorating the year the Porsche 356 Speedster was launched.


May 2017 – The one millionth 911 rolled off the Zuffenhausen production line in Stuttgart, Germany.


2018 – Introduction of the Porsche 911 992, the eight and latest generation of the 911. The car is wider than its predecessor and built with aluminium body panels. The 911 GT3 RS stands at the pinnacle of this platform, with its 4-litre naturally aspirated engine boasting 525PS of maximum power and torque of 465Nm. The GT3 RS bullets from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, and can hit a top speed of 296km/h.

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