Porsche is known for the countless variants of the 911 sportscar covering the entire spectrum of performance on both road and track. If you thought there were enough 911s already, think again because the automaker is working on a new one. The upcoming Porsche 911 ST is based on the GT3 but will offer an extra bit of nostalgia inspired by the original 911 ST from the ‘70s.
Spy photographers caught the lightly
camouflaged prototype of the 911 ST during hot lap testing at the Nürburgring.
It has plenty of similarities with the GT3, including the front bumper, the
bonnet scoops, the wheels, and the rear bumper housing a pronounced diffuser
and dual exhausts. However, there are also a couple of differences
distinguishing it from both the GT3 and the wingless GT3 Touring.
The most striking difference is on the
profile, where the redesigned front fenders feature side gills. The doors are
also tweaked creating a passage for the hot air coming out of the wheel arches.
The roof has a double-bubble configuration, while the engine cover features a
special Heritage badge as seen on the recently revealed Porsche 911 Sport
Classic.
The original 911 ST was a racecar sold
between 1970 and 1971, with Porsche producing only 24 examples. The new model
will likely come in limited numbers, selling at a higher price than the regular
GT3. We expect subtle mechanical changes on the chassis setup and the
naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine. In the GT3, the engine produces
503 hp, sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed
manual or an optional seven-speed PDK automatic.
The ST is not the only new addition to the
911 family, as we are also expecting the hardcore GT3 RS, the high-riding
Dakar, and more importantly, the 911 Hybrid that is coming with the facelifted
911 range.
