More expensive than the 911 Turbo, and yet less powerful, the 911 Sport Classic’s charms come down to more than just its retro style package.
The Porsche 911 Sport Classic is the easiest hard sell. Slower and less powerful than the 911 Turbo on which it’s based — not to mention significantly more expensive — the Sport Classic nevertheless charms with an on-road demeanor that’s exciting and engaging. Where the 911 Turbo is a sharp and unflappable grand tourer, the 911 Sport Classic is more playful. A lot more playful.
Where does the Sport Classic stand in the 911 hierarchy? Oh, it’s right up near the top. At $274,750, including $1,495 for destination, the Sport Classic eclipses every 911 except the holy-grail S/T — and even that’s just a suggested starting price. Optioned up with lots of niceties, the car you see here stickers for $282,810. Sheesh.Matters of style
The 911 Sport Classic is part of Porsche’s Heritage Design series, with cues that link it to the original Carrera RS 2.7 — unarguably one of the best Porsches of all time — as well as the 997-generation 911 Sport Classic. The five-spoke Fuchs-style wheels are a majorly cool throwback touch, as are the fixed ducktail spoiler and double-bubble roof. You don’t have to get the Sport Classic with the numerical livery on the side, but I think it’s kind of fun and gives this 911 added personality. You do you, of course.
There’s more coolness inside the Sport Classic; check out the fantastic Pepita houndstooth fabric on the seats, saddle brown leather, and natural wood trim. There’s a good-looking badge on the passenger side of the dashboard, too, and it matches the gold script on the back of the 911. I’m not normally one for frilly flourishes, but man, this car is a treat for the eyes.Turbo heart
Most of the 911 Sport Classic’s mechanical bits are shared with the 911 Turbo, including the 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-6 engine. However, while the 911 Turbo makes 572 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, the Sport Classic has quite a bit less: 543 hp and 442 lb-ft.
Why the shortage? The Sport Classic comes with something you can’t get in the 911 Turbo: a seven-speed manual transmission. The Sport Classic also uses rear-wheel drive, compared to the Turbo’s all-wheel drive.
