Celebrating 50 years of an icon.
The Porsche 911 has quite possibly one of the richest histories of any automobile produced today. The car was originally built under the “901” name, but because Automobiles Peugeot registered and copyrighted the triple-digit naming system with “0” in the middle, Porsche would not be able to sell the car in France. Due to the importance of the French market, Ferry Porsche opted to rename the model “911” for the six-cylinder model and “912” for the four-cylinder. A legend was born.
In the 50 years since its introduction, the 911 has given the world a sports car backed with innovative technology and incredible racing success. The unveiling of the new 991-generation 911 model last year represents the next step towards the future for the German sports car, and Porsche is using that platform for its new limited-edition celebratory model – the 911 50th Anniversary Edition.
The new Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be unveiled at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in September, just like the original 901 model was in 1963, and be limited to just 1,963 models, worldwide. The new limited-edition 911 celebrates the original car with a number of classic design cues and separates itself from the new 911 model lineup with a unique body style.
The new Anniversary model is based on the 911 Carrera S model packed with a 400-horsepower 3.8-liter flat-six engine (430 hp with std. Power Kit in US models) driving the rear wheels, just like the original model. This 911 is a bit different from the normal Carrera S models of today though, it features the widebody from the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S models, giving it a more athletic look. The chassis benefits from an updated version of PASM tuned specifically to accommodate for the increase in track width and improve handling. The 911 50th Anniversary Edition sports a set of 20-inch, five-spoke wheels with machine polished centers and matte black outlines to mimic the iconic Fuchs wheels. A sport exhaust lets out that classic flat-six sound, and a Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) with bi-xenon headlights rounds off the modern upgrades.
The Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be capable of accelerating from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds or 4.3 seconds with PDK, and reach a top speed of 186 mph with the manual transmission or 185 mph with PDK. For the 430-horseepower US models, 0-62 comes in just 4.2- or 3.8 seconds with a manual or PDK transmission, respectively.
The Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition model will be available with exclusive dark graphite grey or light geyser grey metallic, or an optional black monochrome. Special chrome trim pieces will be worn on the front air inlets, engine compartment grille fins, and the horizontal panel between the rear taillights similar to the use of chrome on the classic 911 models. Below the modern Porsche badge at the rear is a unique “911 50” badge with a two-tone, three-dimensional effect. Porsche also added high gloss window frame surrounds and sport design exterior side mirrors.
Inside, driver and passenger are treated to a full leather interior in agate grey or black with decorative stitching on standard 14-way sport seats or optional 18-way sport seats plus with center panels designed after the classic “Pepita” tartan material in the 911s of the 1960s. The “911 50” logo is worn in three colors on the embroidered headrests and two colors on the tachometer and aluminum door entry sills, along with the cup holder which also features the limited edition vehicle number. The instruments are all labeled in green and the needles are dressed in white, just like the original 911 models. Brushed aluminum adorns the dashboard, doors, and center console, and matches the gearshifter or selector level depending on the transmission.
The Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition will be available at Porsche dealerships in the United States in the fall of this year with prices starting at $124,000 plus a $950 destination charge.
Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 3.8 liters
Number of Cylinders: Flat-six
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
Maximum Horsepower: 400 horsepower (430 w/Power Kit in US)
-Sport exhaust system
Transmission:
Type: Seven-speed manual or seven-speed PDK dual-clutch
Drive: Rear-wheel
Performance:
Acceleration 0-62 mph (US): 4.2 seconds (manual)/ 3.8 seconds (PDK)
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.5 seconds (manual)/4.3 seconds (PDK)
Top Speed: 186 mph (manual)/ 185 mph (PDK)
Exterior:
-Carrera 4/4S widebody
-20-inch wheels in “Fuchs” style
-Chrome strips on front air inlets, rear bumper, and engine cover fins
-Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS)
-Graphite Grey, Geyser Grey Metallic, or Black Monochrome
-Rear two-tone 3-D effect “911 50” badge on bumper
-High gloss window frames
-Sport design exterior mirrors
Interior:
-“911 50” three-color headrest embroidery
-“911 50” two-tone logo on tachometer and aluminum door sill plates
-Green instrument display icons with white indicators
-Cup holder panel with “911 50” badging and limited edition production number
-Agate grey or black leather interior
-14 way sport or 18-way sport plus seating with Pepita tartan design centers
-Brushed aluminum dashboard, door trim, and center console
-Brushed aluminum gearshifter or selector lever
Porsche 911 50th Anniversary Edition Gallery
[Source: Porsche]
Do you think the 911 50th Anniversary Edition is a proper tribute to the 911 model?
