Thursday 15th August

Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years marks half century

There's been a 911 Turbo since 1974 - a new special edition throws it back to the '70s in celebration 

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If there’s been one thing missing so far from Porsche’s 50th celebrations of the 911 Turbo, it’s the special edition model. Well not any longer - here’s the Turbo 50 Years, introduced at Monterey Car Week and with a design that evokes the iconic original. 

Those expecting more power from a Turbo special will be disappointed, though given the 50 Years is based on a Turbo S - 650hp, 590lb ft, stomach-churning acceleration - it would seem churlish to complain too much. It also retains the standard eight-speed PDK and four-wheel drive, rather than going full old-school like the rear-drive, manual Sport Classic.  Instead, this model is about paying design homage to that game-changing original, with what Porsche is calling ‘timelessly elegant and contemporary styling elements.’ So all 1,974 units will get the side graphics as standard (intended to bring to mind the RSR Turbo), the option of Turbonite paint on a 911 for the very first time, unique badges like the Targa Heritage Design Edition and the Turbo S Exclusive Design wheels. 

Inside is where the party really gets started, however, as it's intended to ‘recall the zeitgeist of the 1970s’ with Mckenzie tartan on the centre of the seats, Turbonite accents, Turbo 50 logos all over (including for the clock) and an aluminium plaque. The image of a turbo is projected onto the ground via the LED projector every time the door is opened, which might be the coolest or lamest feature ever on a Porsche 911 limited edition. 

Those wishing to really lean into the '70s vibe will want the optional Turbo Heritage Design Package, bringing ‘numerous additional exclusive design and equipment features that hark back to the 911 Turbo models of the 1970s.’ So that should mean Aventurine Green metallic paint (though buyers can plump for another colour), then a white satin finish graphic with selectable car number, Porsche logo and another turbo logo, the classic Porsche crest on the bonnet and centre caps, silver or white wheels and gold badges. There’s even more tartan and leather inside, plus green-backed dials and this historic crest once more. 

This being a Porsche 911 special edition, moreover, buyers will be offered a watch to go with their car. Like the dash of the vehicle, the chronograph features a black dial with elements in Turbonite, and the car number from the 1,974 built will correspond with that of the timepiece. It’s equipped with the COSC-certified Porsche Design WERK 01.200 movement with flyback function - hopefully that makes some sense to a few of you. 

Exactly how many 911 Turbo 50 Years will come to the UK isn’t clear, though there’s definitely an allocation as it’s on sale right now: £200,600, before the watch or the Heritage Design Pack, and neither will come cheap. But as with so many of these things, it’ll probably be worth getting into if you can: there were 1,250 Sport Classics made, priced from £214k, and they’re on PH from £300k. Or an early 992 Turbo S is now from less than half that amount. Deliveries of the 50 are due to kick off in the autumn. 

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• 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic (992) | UK Review
• 2023 Porsche 911 S/T (992) | PH Review

[Spiros115]

Is this really what it’s come to? All Porsche has to do is put a name to silver paint and wheels and chuck some badges on it and people will pay thousands more? All getting a little stupid

[Kipsrs]

Spiros115 said:

Is this really what it’s come to? All Porsche has to do is put a name to silver paint and wheels and chuck some badges on it and people will pay thousands more? All getting a little stupid

I hear what you’re saying, don’t forget the watch! I do think they could have been just a tad more creative celebrating 50 years and considering there seems to be so much disposable income these days for mega money cars.

[IAINSMITH]

As a previous 930 owner and current Porsche driver I have to say while I like the inside the outside is very underwhelming to the point it looks like any other 992 Turbo S, a missed opportunity I think to have a bit more “930” in it I think….

[cerb4.5lee]

I wouldn't thank you for those seats, but these are very capable performance cars for sure though I reckon. I'd like to experience their performance one day.

[mikebradford]

May have helped if they had put some new alloys on.
Simply doesn't stand out from the standard range.

I believe you can already get a heritage interior on the main range, so that doesn't help make it exclusive.

Underwhelming and makes buying a second hand standard turbo S a no brainer.

[Baldchap]

I'd rather they drop a few thousand Euro off the price than force me to wear an Urwerk.

But they know their market and buyers will undoubtedly love it.

[GreatScott2016]

Very underwhelming visually

[NJJ]

Clearly there's plenty of old 992.1 Turbo stock lying around that they need to shift whilst they ready the 992.2 Turbo.

[Baldchap]

If anyone with a 911 wants fancy puddle lights they're £50.

https://www.puddlelights.co.uk/product/porsche-911...

[legalman58]

A real shame - reading it I feel totally underwhelmed

A missed opportunity to add something special to a great car

Instead they charge a lot of money for not a lot- and that which they do add is nothing special

Why not create a lightweight, increase power by 15% and then sell it?

[Wills2]

They couldn't have done any less if they'd tried, the article comparing it to the sport classic model and huge premiums over retail is laughable.

[highway]

What is ‘turbonite’? Is it a fragment of a long destroyed planet that can weaken modern turbos and cause them to lose power?

[boozyjay]

IAINSMITH said:

As a previous 930 owner and current Porsche driver I have to say while I like the inside the outside is very underwhelming to the point it looks like any other 992 Turbo S, a missed opportunity I think to have a bit more “930” in it I think….

Couldn't agree more, Iain.

[Buster73]

Spiros115 said:

Is this really what it’s come to? All Porsche has to do is put a name to silver paint and wheels and chuck some badges on it and people will pay thousands more? All getting a little stupid

Not for Porsche though.

[ChrisCh86]

The seats are nice, but the rest is just a standard 992.1 Turbo.

Porsche clearly taking their customers for mugs, again.

[andy43]

ph said:

The image of a turbo is projected onto the ground via the LED projector every time the door is opened

Maybe add a big white ‘Because 911’ graphic up the side of the windscreen?

[Freakuk]

This doesn't really say this is a 50th anniversary edition does it, you'd be hard pushed to spot the difference between this and a 992 Turbo S.

The interior is nice, but it's optional.... mad.

[swisstoni]

If you don’t like this one, there’ll be another along in a minute.

[fflump]

"a new special edition throws it back to the '70s in celebration"

10/10 for swallowing the press release.

[Stark999]

Just surprised they are not doing a 992.2 model - just goes to show the rumours of many Turbo S models in stock is true.

Recently ordered a Ferrari and three team members there who worked high up in Porsche advised that manufacturing price of a Turbo S is 30,000 €