Lightweight Porsche 911 S/T is a fanatic’s dream sports car

The 2023 Porsche 911 S/T has been unveiled as the lightest 992-series 911 variant to date, but it will cost a cool $660,500 plus on-road costs in Australia, where the first of only a handful of examples will arrive in mid-2024.

That makes the S/T the most expensive new 911 variant available in Australia, eclipsing the Turbo S Cabriolet by more than $100,000, and even pricier than the flagship of the previous 991-series 911 range, the $645K GT2 RS released in 2018.

Just 1963 units are being produced globally in honour of the 911’s 60th anniversary and the wingless S/T will be deemed by many as the ultimate 911 given its blends the understated looks of the GT3 Touring with the stripped-out, lightweight character and heart of the hard-core GT3 RS.

That means this 1380kg manual-only coupe generates 386kW/465Nm from a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat six that revs all the way out to 9000rpm, dispatching the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds and eventually hitting 300km/h.

If the top speed doesn’t sound very 911-like it’s because the S/T’s six-speed manual transmission features shorter gear ratios than other variants in the name of acceleration, driveability and enjoyment.

A new lightweight clutch was also developed specially for the S/T, which Porsche says saves more than 10kg in conjunction with the single-mass flywheel, and thereby makes the frenetic big-bore boxer six even more responsive.

Weight-saving is the name of the game for the 911 S/T though and that theme applies to pretty much every aspect of its construction, with most of the body – bonnet, roof, front wings and doors – as well as the roll cage, rear anti-roll bar and shear panel being made of lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic.

Magnesium wheels (20-inch front, 21-inch rear), carbon-ceramic brakes, a lithium-ion starter battery, lightweight glass and reduced sound-proofing all contribute to the dainty kerb weight, as does the lack of a rear axle steering system.

The 911 S/T is the only current-generation 911 to combine double-wishbone suspension with a multi-link rear-end without rear-axle steering, meaning the dampers and myriad control systems all had to be retuned from scratch.

Inside the cabin you’ll find CFRP bucket seats, GT3 RS-style door pull straps, leather trim, a digital instrument cluster and all the other usual 911 trimmings, along with the aforementioned roll cage.

Australian cars will also come as standard with a tyre fit set, LED Porsche Dynamic Light system, auto-dimming mirrors, front-axle lift system, ParkAssist, reversing camera and digital radio.

The four-way-adjustable ‘Sports Seat Plus’ package will be available at no extra cost.

Those wanting to advertise the significance and exclusivity of their new S/T can opt for the $36,760 Heritage Design Package containing a unique ‘Shoreblue Metallic’ exterior colour, ‘Ceramica’ coloured wheels, numbered door decal, original Porsche crest on the bonnet, hub caps, steering wheel and head restraints, ‘Classic Cognac’ cloth seat centres, two-tone semi-aniline leather trim, perforated Dinamica roof lining and various other elements from Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.

“To mark the special anniversary of the iconic 911 sports car, the engineers in Weissach have designed a highly purist sports car dedicated to sheer driving enjoyment: the 911 S/T,” Porsche said.

“The design of the anniversary model incorporated GT and motorsport expertise from Porsche.

“This is reflected in its particularly nimble and agile handling, which is designed for maximum driving enjoyment on winding country roads.”

Porsche isn’t saying exactly how many 911 S/Ts will be offered in Australia, but odds are it will be less than a dozen or so – and if they don’t already have names on them they’re sure to be snapped up soon.

How much does the 2023 Porsche 911 cost?
Carrera – $277,800
Carrera 4 – $295,200
Carrera Cabriolet – $298,700
Carrera T (m) – $299,200
Carrera T – $299,200
Targa 4 – $316,400
Carrera 4 Cabriolet – $316,400
Carrera S – $317,000
Carrera 4S – $334,400
Carrera S – $338,100
911 Carrera GTS (m) – $353,700
Targa 4S – $355,600
Carrera 4S Cabriolet – $355,600
911 Carrera GTS – $353,700
911 Carrera 4 GTS – $373,000
Carrera GTS Cabriolet – $386,900
Targa 4 GTS – $406,600
Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet – $406,600
GT3 (m) – $417,400
GT3 – $417,400
911 GT3 with Touring Package (m) – $417,400
911 GT3 with Touring Package – $417,400
911 GT3 RS – $537,600
Turbo – $463,200
Turbo Cabriolet – $483,600
Turbo S – $538,700
Turbo S Cabriolet – $559,400
S/T (m) – $660,500
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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