The 911 S/T sprints to 62mph in 3.7sec – down 0.5sec on the GT3 RS – and all the way to 186mph. Doing without the GT3 RS’s massive swan-neck rear wing is the main cause of the sprint time loss and is to keep the S/T as a true successor to the 911 S racer, which was released in 1969.
But not all modern touches have been binned, with the S/T getting an extending spoiler with a Gurney flap for added downforce, and sizeable air vents dominate the front end.
Also added is a lightweight sports exhaust system that adds “a compelling soundscape”. And, unlike with the 911 GT3 RS, the focus of the 911 S/T has been not on track use but on usability and the driving experience on public roads.
The influence of the RS is clear inside, where the 911 S/T’s lightweight billing extends to reduced insulation, lightweight glass and a full CFRP roll-cage, but niceties such as the retro-designed leather-cloth seats and perforated microfibre headliner hint at its less hardcore billing.
An original 911 badge features on the front, the steering wheel, the wheels and the headrests – and the 911 S/T badge at the back is finished in gold.
To mark its place in 911 history, the German car maker has limited production to 1963 examples – a nod to the year when the first Porsche 911 was born. Pricing starts from €292,187 (£250,400).
A special Heritage Design Package (€17,505) is also offered, adding the same livery and special blue metallic paint as on the 1960s 911 S racer.
This latest special joins a host of other birthday presents the car maker has gifted itself this year, as it also celebrates 75 since its first sports car: the 356.