2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic: Manual-Only Retro RWD Turbo
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic article highlights:
- 13 years after releasing the original 911 Sport Classic, Porsche made another one for the 992-gen car
- In addition to its retro interior and exterior design elements, the 2023 911 Sport Classic bundles the current Turbo’s engine with a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and some desirable performance features
- It’s limited to 1250 examples worldwide
Like many high-end automakers, Porsche is keenly aware of its heritage’s influence. Hence why it also releases historically-themed models on a semi-regular basis. However, while it’s not immune to simple livery tie-ins, Porsche’s retro-style cars tend to be a bit more special. The 718 Boxster 25 Years, for example, rocks not just Boxster Concept colors but also a flat-six engine. And while the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic looks plenty retro, it’s also packing a stick-shift rear-wheel-drive Turbo kick.
The vintage throwback Porsche 911 Sport Classic returns for 2023, ducktail spoiler and all
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | Porsche 
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic front interior | Porsche
Although the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic’s initials are ‘SC,’ it’s not a reference to the 1978-1984 SC ‘Super Carrera.’ But the 2023 car and its ducktail spoiler are a reference to a 911 Carrera, the iconic 1973 Carrera 2.7 RS. Or rather, they’re references to a previous limited-edition reference to the 2.7 RS—kind of.
Let me explain. In 2010 Porsche released a Carrera 2.7 RS-themed version of the 997-gen 911: the original Sport Classic. But because it didn’t think many people would want one, it only released 250 examples purely for the European market. However, in a mirror of the 911 R situation, buyers fell over themselves trying to get one.
In short, Porsche got the message when it comes to its fanbase’s demand for retro-themed products. So, after crafting the 718 Boxster 25 Years, 911 Targa Heritage Edition, and 996-based Classic Club Coupe, it’s brought the Sport Classic back for the 992 generation.
First things first, yes, the new Sport Classic still has a ducktail rear spoiler. Also, like the 2010 model, it has Fuchs-style center-lock wheels and a double-bubble roof for extra helmet space. The 2023 911 Sport Classic even wears the same gray shade and stripes as the 2010 one, MotorTrend says. And in yet more retro nods, Porsche gave it black-and-white-checkered cloth seat inserts, green-backlit gauges, and a 1963-style hood crest.
Yet the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic isn’t just a visual package. For one, that double-bubble roof is a carbon-fiber panel. The hood is carbon fiber, too. And as mentioned earlier, this 911 packs a special Turbo heart under its skin.
It’s the only way to get a manual RWD 911 Turbo
2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic rear 3/4 | Porsche 
2022 Porsche 911 Turbo | Porsche
| 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic | 2022 Porsche 911 Turbo | |
| Engine | 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six | 3.7-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six |
| Horsepower | 543 hp | 572 hp |
| Torque | 442 lb-ft | 553 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Seven-speed manual | Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive type | RWD | AWD |
| Curb weight | TBD | 3635 lbs |
| 0-60 mph time | TBD | 2.7 seconds (claimed with Sport Chrono Package) 2.4 seconds (Car and Driver) |
Although Porsche hasn’t released official 0-60 mph estimates for the 2023 911 Sport Classic, it’ll undoubtedly be slower than the more powerful Turbo. However, while the 911 Turbo and Turbo S are supremely fast daily-drivable supercars, they lack two things the Sport Classic gets. Unlike the automatic AWD Turbos, the Sport Classic is RWD and manual-only. And that makes it the only way to get a stick-shift RWD 911 Turbo in the U.S.
But the 2023 911 Sport Classic doesn’t just have a Turbo engine. Porsche gave it the 911 Turbo’s rear-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars, and the 0.4”-lower PASM Sport active shocks. Furthermore, it comes standard with Porsche’s Sport Chrono Package as well as carbon-ceramic brakes. Plus, Porsche re-tuned the front springs to account for the RWD drivetrain, Car and Driver adds.
In addition, the 2023 Sport Classic wears the Turbo’s wider body. But this wasn’t just a simple case of fender surgery, MT notes. Porsche designed brand-new intake-less quarter panels specifically for this car and redirected the intakes underneath the spoiler. The Sport Classic, therefore, doesn’t have the Turbo’s active aero. But given all those suspension and chassis features, it shouldn’t have any trouble keeping up in the corners, Car and Driver says.
How much does the limited-edition 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic cost?
As of this writing, Porsche hasn’t released pricing details for the 2023 911 Sport Classic. But while it likely won’t be cheaper than the 911 Turbo, Car and Driver reckons it will be cheaper than the Turbo S. For context, the 2022 911 Turbo starts at $174,300 while the Turbo S starts at $207,000.
However, even if the Sport Classic ends up priced like the Turbo S, it might arguably be worth it. After all, not even a fully-loaded 911 Turbo S offers a carbon-fiber hood. In addition, remember those checkered cloth inserts? They sit in nougat leather upholstery last used in Porsche’s hybrid hypercar, the 918 Spyder. Plus, while the Sport Classic’s hood crest is ‘merely’ gold-colored, its rear script is made of genuine gold. Also, again, it’s a RWD stick-shift Turbo.
‘Not cheap’ isn’t the only thing the 2023 Porsche 911 Sport Classic will be, though. On the plus side, Porsche is selling this car worldwide and making more than 250 examples. But it’s only making 1250 examples for the whole world.
So, if you want what’s sure to be an instant classic, you might want to line up now.
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