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Two Cars, One Number: Porsche 911 S/T and the Human Side of Perfection

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Porsche doesn’t miss details. It obsesses over them. So when a company that can tell you the weight difference between two paint finishes accidentally duplicates a limited-edition number on one of the most collectible 911s ever made, it’s less a scandal than a reminder: even perfection is assembled by humans.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 911, Porsche built the 911 S/T—arguably the purest modern 911 this side of a motorsports paddock. Production was capped at 1,963 units, a nod to the year the original 911 debuted. Each car carries its individual build number on a badge mounted on the passenger-side dash. Or at least, it’s supposed to.

Somewhere between Zuffenhausen and the far corners of the globe, number 1724 was born twice.

One 911 S/T with that number went to Pedro Solís Klussmann, president of Porsche Club Guatemala. The other landed with Suzan Taher, who pilots her S/T on the opposite side of the planet. Same car. Same badge. Same number. Not exactly the sort of rarity Porsche intended.

The mistake stemmed from the most old-school part of the Sonderwunsch process: manual ordering. According to Karl-Heinz Volz, Director of Porsche Sonderwunsch, that human involvement is both the program’s greatest strength—and its occasional vulnerability. “Mistakes can happen,” Volz said, “The important thing is how you deal with them.” Credit Porsche for not hiding behind bureaucracy.

The irony? Klussmann had chosen 1724 with care. The 17th ties together birthdays shared by his mother, grandmother, and himself; the 24 marks his father’s birthday. Taher’s car, meanwhile, was meant to wear 1742, a number with no emotional backstory at all. Fate, it seems, had a sense of humor.

Porsche’s solution was peak Stuttgart. The company flew both owners to Zuffenhausen for a private, ceremonial mea culpa. There, they received corrected plaques, a framed photograph of their two cars together, and presentation boxes containing samples of their respective interior and exterior materials. The incorrect badge—the physical proof of the mix-up—was formally handed over to the Porsche archive, catalogued as part of company history while the owners looked on. Somewhere, a future brand historian is already smiling.

Beyond their brief numerical overlap, the two 911 S/Ts couldn’t be more different—and that’s the point.

Klussmann’s car wears the Heritage Design package, finished in Shore Blue Metallic, a color that feels lifted from Porsche’s greatest hits album. Inside, Classic Cognac fabric seat centers with black pinstripes deliver a tasteful wink to Porsche’s past, while a carbon-fiber roll cage reminds you this is no museum piece—it’s meant to be driven.

Taher’s S/T goes in the opposite direction, drenched in Paint to Sample Plus Rose Red. If the color feels familiar, it should. Known as “Fraise” in the 1970s, it adorned legends like the Carrera RS 2.7 and the IROC-spec 911 Carrera RSR 3.0. The shade was so compelling in this modern execution that Porsche will officially add it to the Paint to Sample catalog for the 2026 model year. Inside, Guards Red leather covers much of the cabin, turning the S/T into something that’s equal parts time capsule and contemporary statement.

And underneath all that personalization is the real reason the 911 S/T exists.

Developed in Weissach with a singular mission, the S/T is a love letter to lightness and involvement. Power comes from a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six producing 525 horsepower, paired exclusively with a close-ratio manual transmission. No turbos. No PDK. No distractions. Weight savings are obsessive, the chassis tuned for agility rather than lap-time bragging rights.

The name itself reaches back to Porsche history. In 1969, the 911 S spawned a competition-focused variant internally known as the 911 ST. The modern S/T carries that same philosophy forward: less mass, more feel, and a direct connection between driver and machine that’s increasingly rare in today’s performance-car landscape.

In the end, the duplicated number didn’t cheapen the 911 S/T. If anything, it added another layer to its story. These cars aren’t just collections of carbon fiber and carefully calibrated steering feel—they’re artifacts of a company that still does things by hand, still invites customers into its history, and still believes that owning a Porsche should feel personal.

Even when the numbers don’t quite add up the first time.

Source: Porsche

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Porsche Opens a New Chapter in Urban Retail with Studio Istanbul

In the heart of Etiler, Porsche blends design, culture, and community—redefining what a showroom can be.

Porsche has never been content with standing still, and its latest move in Istanbul proves that the brand’s vision for the future extends far beyond the cars themselves. With the opening of Porsche Studio Istanbul, Porsche AG introduces one of the most comprehensive interpretations of its global Studio concept to date, placing experience, lifestyle, and local culture at the center of the brand’s urban strategy.

Developed in collaboration with Porsche Central and Eastern Europe (PCEE) and Doğuş Otomotiv (Porsche Türkiye), the new Studio sits in Etiler, one of Istanbul’s most vibrant and creative districts. Spread across 680 square meters over two levels, it is less a traditional dealership and more a curated meeting place—one where enthusiasts, customers, and newcomers alike are invited to engage with Porsche on their own terms.

A Studio, Not a Showroom

The Porsche Studio concept deliberately breaks away from the classic showroom formula. Rather than focusing solely on vehicle display, the emphasis here is on interaction, community, and lifestyle. The Istanbul location fully embraces this philosophy, offering a welcoming and intimate atmosphere designed to reflect the city’s unique rhythm and cultural diversity.

Inside, visitors can experience the latest Porsche models, explore extensive personalisation options through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, and spend time with brand consultants in relaxed, private settings. Two dedicated digital configuration areas allow customers to tailor every detail of their ideal Porsche before refining their choices with expert guidance—transforming the configuration process into a considered, almost bespoke experience.

Istanbul as Inspiration

As the 28th Porsche Studio worldwide—and the second in Central and Eastern Europe—the Istanbul opening represents a significant step in Porsche AG’s global urban retail strategy. These Studios are conceived as spaces that adapt to their surroundings, and Istanbul’s creative energy is deeply woven into the design and function of this one.

“Istanbul’s creative energy and entrepreneurial spirit make it the perfect home for our Studio concept, which turns a car purchase into a lifestyle experience,” says Michael Kirsch, CEO of Porsche Central and Eastern Europe. “Turkey plays a strategic role in our regional growth, and the Studio is an important addition to our presence in one of the most dynamic markets in the region.”

That local connection is evident not just in the architecture, but in how the space is intended to be used. Cultural events, community gatherings, and brand experiences are integral to the Studio’s role, positioning it as a living part of the city rather than a destination visited only when it’s time to buy a car.

“Istanbul has its own rhythm and character, and we wanted the Studio to reflect that,” adds Anıl Gürsoy, General Manager at Doğuş Otomotiv. “We’re building a more open and dynamic relationship with our local community. Porsche Studio Istanbul is proof of that commitment.”

Lifestyle Takes Center Stage

Beyond the cars, Porsche Studio Istanbul elevates the brand experience through carefully curated lifestyle and hospitality offerings. On the ground floor, the Porsche Lifestyle Boutique showcases a wide selection of products that echo the brand’s sporty dynamism and design-led approach to luxury.

The experience continues in the Porsche Café and lounge area, a space designed to encourage visitors to linger. Drawing inspiration from Istanbul’s rich urban fabric and modern luxury architecture, the café highlights Porsche’s global partnership with La Marzocco. Premium Italian coffee is served alongside authentic Turkish coffee, complemented by a selection of high-quality local pastries—an understated but thoughtful nod to the city’s culinary traditions.

A Glimpse of Porsche’s Electric Future

The opening of Porsche Studio Istanbul was also marked by a significant product milestone: the first presentation in Turkey of Porsche’s new fully electric SUV, the Cayenne Electric. Its debut immediately positioned the Studio as a key touchpoint for the brand’s future direction, underlining Porsche’s commitment to electrification while maintaining its core values of performance and design.

More than just a new retail location, Porsche Studio Istanbul offers a clear glimpse into how the brand sees the future of automotive retail—where emotional connection, community, and experience are as vital as horsepower and heritage. In a city defined by contrast, movement, and creativity, Porsche’s latest Studio feels not just appropriate, but inevitable.

Source: Porsche

NEW CARS

Red, White, and V10: The Salzburg Carrera GT

Some racing liveries transcend time. They stop belonging to a single car, a single year, or even a single victory, and instead become part of a brand’s DNA. For Porsche, few paint schemes carry the same emotional weight as the red-and-white Salzburg Design—forever linked to the marque’s first overall victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970, when Hans Herrmann and Richard Attwood guided the short-tail 917, wearing starting number 23, into history.

More than half a century later, that iconic look has found a new canvas. Not on a museum-bound prototype or a static showpiece, but on one of the most revered road cars ever built: the Porsche Carrera GT.

This extraordinary transformation comes via Porsche’s exclusive Sonderwunsch programme, specifically through a Factory Re-Commission project commissioned by Puerto Rican Porsche enthusiast Victor Gómez. The result is a 2005 Carrera GT that doesn’t merely pay tribute to motorsport heritage—it revives it, meticulously and authentically, for the modern road.

Recommissioned, Not Restored

Calling this project a repaint would be a severe understatement. The Factory Re-Commission process effectively resets a car’s life clock. Gómez’s Carrera GT was completely disassembled, with every major technical component inspected, revised, or rebuilt. The naturally aspirated V10 was overhauled from the ground up, carbon-fiber components were recoated, and the entire vehicle was returned to what Porsche describes as a “zero-kilometer condition,” fully documented in the factory archive.

Only then did the aesthetic transformation begin.

Adapting the Salzburg Design from the slab-sided, purpose-built 917 to the flowing, organic form of the Carrera GT was anything but straightforward. The geometry, proportions, and surface transitions of the two cars are worlds apart. What worked on a long-distance prototype designed for the Mulsanne Straight would not automatically translate to a mid-engined road car sculpted for both speed and beauty.

Porsche designer Grant Larson and his team approached the task with the same discipline applied to a new production model. Initial sketches gave way to detailed renderings, followed by a hands-on phase where the Carrera GT was physically taped to evaluate how the red-and-white lines would move across its body. Only after this painstaking process were the final paint templates created.

The finished result is striking without being forced. Indian red flows across the Carrera GT’s carbon-fiber skin, balanced by crisp white sections and anchored visually by the famous number 23. A transparent protective film ensures the hand-painted finish is preserved, even as Gómez intends to drive the car on the public roads of Puerto Rico rather than confine it to a collection.

Carbon, Contrast, and Cohesion

Beyond the headline livery, the exterior detailing is a masterclass in restraint. Matte black carbon fiber provides contrast against the bold paintwork, appearing on the roof halves, A- and B-pillars, mirror caps, front air duct, and rear diffuser. The engine cover grilles are finished in black matte anodizing, while the original five-spoke Carrera GT wheels are painted black and fitted with colored Porsche crests—a subtle nod to tradition.

Inside, the personalization continues with equal intent. Large sections of the interior are trimmed in Indian Red Alcantara, including the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel rim, center console, and even the front luggage compartment lining. The effect is dramatic but cohesive, enveloping the driver in a cockpit that feels both bespoke and motorsport-inspired.

Matte carbon fiber once again plays a supporting role, used on the seat shells, air vent surrounds, and instrument cover. For the seat centers, side bolsters, and headrests, Porsche’s upholstery specialists selected black FIA-certified textile originally developed for the 918 Spyder—a non-flammable material rooted firmly in racing practice. It’s a fitting detail, especially when one remembers that even the original 917 endurance racer was required to carry two seats.

Sonderwunsch, Defined

Projects like this define the modern meaning of Sonderwunsch. More than a customization department, it is a collaborative process where customers work directly with Porsche designers and engineers to turn personal visions into factory-approved reality. Every idea is vetted for technical feasibility, durability, and brand integrity. Every modification is recorded in Porsche’s archives, ensuring complete transparency and long-term traceability.

In Gómez’s case, the process involved multiple visits to Germany, following the project closely from concept to completion. His verdict speaks volumes: a Carrera GT restored to new condition, tailored inside and out to his personal vision, and infused with one of the most storied liveries in Porsche history.

A Modern Classic Meets a Racing Soul

When the Carrera GT debuted in 2003, it stood among the fastest production cars in the world, capable of 330 km/h. Its carbon-fiber monocoque and mid-mounted engine layout were direct transfers from racing technology, and its 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V10—originally conceived for Le Mans—produced 450 kW (612 PS) while propelling a curb weight of just 1,380 kilograms.

Even today, the Carrera GT remains a benchmark for purity: no turbos, no hybrid assistance, no electronic dilution of the driving experience. Wrapping that mechanical masterpiece in the Salzburg Design doesn’t dilute its identity—it amplifies it.

This is not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It is a reminder that Porsche’s greatest road cars are inseparable from its racing past. And in this singular Carrera GT, Le Mans history doesn’t just live on—it drives on.

Source: Porsche