For the 997 generation, Porsche introduced a retro-styled version of the 911 called the Sport Classic. Produced in very limited numbers, the car was said to be inspired by the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7 of Porsche fame. Now, after skipping the 991 generation, it appears as if the Sport Classic nameplate will make a return for the current 992 911. We’ve seen prototypes of this car floating around before, but spy photographers were able to capture it again testing out on public roads in Germany.
Styling-wise, the car appears to share its
front and rear bumpers with the 911 Turbo S, though its widened fenders are
absent of any cooling vents. It also seems to borrow blacked-out versions of
its center-lock wheels, although they’re expected to be replaced by a
Fuchs-style set upon this car’s eventual debut. That being said, the prototype
isn’t just a parts-bin special, as it has a few unique styling elements in the
form of a channeled hood, double-bubble roof, and a sleek ducktail spoiler
finishing off the silhouette at the rear. And for what it’s worth, both that
double-bubble roof and ducktail spoiler were present on the previous Sport
Classic, which only solidifies even further that it is in fact what this car
is.
As for the powertrain, power is speculated
to come from the Carrera GTS‘s 3.0L twin-turbocharged flat-six, which makes 473
hp and 569 Nm of torque. The car would also
likely adopt a similar philosophy to the 991 R and previous 997 Sport Classic,
placing a heavy focus on driver engagement with a lower curb weight, rear-wheel
drive, and a manual transmission.
Only 250 units of the previous Sport
Classic were ever produced, and while this new one isn’t expected to be as
scarce, production is rumored to be capped at a relatively low 2,000 cars. A
reveal is expected in February 2022 as a 2023 model year vehicle. And if
everything surrounding this car is to be believed, and a new Sport Classic is
truly on the way, then it would make perfect sense to have a debut scheduled
for the 2023 model year, which would also be the Carrera RS 2.7‘s 50-year
anniversary.