Porsche has revealed a new special-edition 911 designed to combine 1970s style with the technological prowess of the modern 911 Carrera GTS. The new 911 Spirit 70 is limited to 1,500 examples worldwide and is the latest in a series of Heritage Design cars that has so far included the glorious 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition and 911 Sport Classic models.
What's so special about this new edition?
Not only is the Spirit 70 limited to 1,500 vehicles, but it's also offered with heaps of modifications that set it apart from the car on which it's based: the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet.
Most evident is the exterior design, which incorporates a rich new yellow-green colour called Olive Neo and Fuchs-style alloy wheels in a grey-gold colour called Bronzite. That colour appears on the lower rear section and the front of the car, too, while the soft top and windscreen surround are both black.
Black stripes also mark out the Spirit 70, with three black lines running across the bonnet, designed to evoke memories of old race cars. The same goes for the stripes on the soft top and the side decorative graphics, which include a 'lollipop' roundel in black and an individual start number.
What's more, the Spirit 70 gets a Porsche crest on the bonnet that is “almost identical” to the historic crest from 1963, while gold Exclusive Manufaktur logos appear on the front wings. There's gold-coloured Porsche lettering at the rear, too, and there's a Porsche Heritage badge on the grille behind the rear window.
Looks great, but what about the inside?
The basic design is much the same as that of the latest-generation 911, known internally as the 992.2, but Porsche has made some tweaks. The highlight is the Pasha fabric pattern in the seat centres, reminiscent of a chequered flag, which is also available in the seat backrests and the dashboard trim, as well as a boot mat. The rest of the upholstery is finished in black leather with decorative Olive Neo stitching.
Another retro touch is the new digital instrument cluster display. The high-resolution screen now has green digits reminiscent of the old Porsche 356, while the model lettering is also displayed in the digital rev counter. White hands and green numerals also characterise the Sport Chrono stopwatch in the middle of the dash.
And under the skin?
There isn't so much to report here. The Spirit 70 might look retro, but the engineering is decidedly 21st century. In particular, the 3.6-litre T-Hybrid powertrain common to all 911 Carrera GTS models features, providing 541hp and sending it all to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch PDK automatic gearbox.
That engine is complemented by the upgraded brakes fitted as standard to all GTS models, while Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with rear-axle steering is available at no extra charge.
Why so much focus on heritage?
Although the Heritage Design models are undoubtedly a cash cow for Porsche - the old 911 Sport Classic cost more than €400,000 - they serve another purpose. The German company wants to increase its customisation offering, known as Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, which has become increasingly popular among customers. Over the past five years, the company says the average sales per vehicle with Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur options have doubled, and the range of options is due to expand “significantly” in future.
Let me guess... There's a watch to go with it?
Obviously. The handcrafted 911 Spirit 70 watch is reserved for buyers of the car, so there will never be more than 1,500 examples in existence. Each one has the unique number of the car engraved on the case back, while the design takes inspiration from the car itself.
The 'Pasha' pattern on the dial, for example, is inspired by the seat centres of the special-edition car, and the green and red colours were carried over from the car's tachometer. The font of the numbering matches that of the car's instrument display, too, and the leather strap is made of original Porsche interior leather in Basalt Black. Even the stitching, offered in Olive Neo or Slate Grey, is carried over from the car, as is the 911 graphic that's embossed on the watch strap.
So how much will it cost in Ireland?
Unsurprisingly, the Spirit 70 doesn't come cheap. The special edition will command a healthy premium over the standard 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, which already costs a chunky €288,766. Whichever way you cut it, the Heritage Design cars are not what you'd call bargains.