• Auto123 is conducting an initial test of the 2024 Porsche 911 S/T.
Napa Valley, California – On September 12, 1963, Porsche presented the 901 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The name already used by Peugeot forced Porsche to rename the 911 model.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, Porsche brought back a model popular in the '60s and '70s, the S/T. Originally, Porsche used a base model 911 S with a T performance package to make it an S/T model. For 2024, Porsche is using a Porsche GT3 Touring with performance elements to make it the ultimate 911 for the road.
Photo: B.Charette
The new Porsche 911 S/T 2024
Exterior design
With the GT3 Touring as its launch model, Porsche worked to save weight to make the car lighter. The forged, lightweight magnesium rims were designed by Porsche with central locking and a center cap with the S/T logo. These rims, which save almost 10 kg, have a diameter of 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear.
There is a unique carbon fiber embossed front hood and roof. In contrast to the 911 GT3 RS, Porsche designed the car without air vents on the front fenders and preferred to ventilate the wheel arches with side slats. A Gurney flap completes the retractable rear wing.
Porsche regularly uses Gurney flaps to improve the aerodynamics of GT sports cars. The spoiler only deploys when the vehicle reaches around 120 km/h and is not configured as aggressively as on other 911s.
To ensure exclusivity, you have a unique S/T badge and 60th anniversary logo on the back.
Photo: Porsche
2024 Porsche 911 S/T with Heritage Package
The S/T is a unique version, but you can embellish it to make it even more unique. For example, there's the Heritage package, which saves you $23,000 and offers unique colors with that number 63 logo on the car – a number indicating the first year of production – as well as a 911 S/ logo. T and a gold-plated commemorative coin. There are also carbon fiber packages that complement the style of the model.
Black or white paint is available as standard, while customers can choose between five optional colors – Ruby Star Neo, Gentian Blue Metallic, Shade Green Metallic, GT Silver Metallic and Ice Gray Metallic.
Photo: Porsche
The interior of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
Interior design
On board it feels like a race car, but Porsche has dressed it for the road. The leather interior and contrasting stitching provide a certain luxury.
The green numbers on the instrument cluster and the stopwatch look just as great as the white hands with silver caps, which correspond to the design of the original 911 from 1963.
The black leather cover of the steering wheel rim has a marking at 12 o'clock and a particularly easy-grip perforation at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. A gear lever that has been shortened by around 10 mm and carbon fiber bucket seats partially covered in leather guarantee a sporty driving experience.
Photo: Porsche
The seat of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
Instead of the bucket seats, four-way adjustable sports seats Plus are available at no extra charge. The headrests of both seat variants have a Porsche emblem embossed into the leather upholstery.
Following the concept of lightness, there are no rear seats in this model. They are replaced by a cover similar to that of the passenger compartment of the 911 GT3 RS. European models also feature a carbon fiber safety cage, which is not available here.
The rear part is occupied by the engine and the front trunk offers space for two soft travel bags.
Photo: B.Charette
Porsche 911 S/T 2024, in profile
Technology and security
In a car that's all about driving, technology and infotainment take a back seat. Let's just say the execution and functionality are top notch. The positioning of the high-resolution touch screen and the control button out of reach, as well as the on-screen buttons being too small, require you to perform the necessary operations before driving.
Apple CarPlay with wireless connectivity is easy to use and offers relatively simple voice commands. The standard audio system is disappointing, but let's just say that the majority will clearly prefer the mechanical soundtrack.
This variant also has the same flaws as other 911s. We don't like the cup holder directly behind the gear lever. It's too easy to drop the glass when changing gears. However, we appreciated the center toggle switches (bow lift, suspension mode, hazard lights, ESC off, ESC/TC off), which are easy to use and effective.
Photo: B.Charette
Exterior design of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
Mechanical configuration of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
We come to the heart of the animal. Porsche uses the mechanical basis of the GT3 Touring. They therefore have a 4-liter six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine with 518 hp and 342 Nm of torque. You can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds as long as you use the jump starter and change the first two gears very quickly.
The S/T doesn't stop accelerating until it passes the 300 km/h mark. We had no chance of getting that far, but we got up to 9,000 rpm in 2nd and 3rd gear and the sound is pleasant. The thinner glass and fewer sound-absorbing elements allow you to hear the engine's song inside the cabin very well (some say too well), filling your ears with its symphony.
Photo: B.Charette
The Porsche 911 S/T 2024 in the test
Driving the Porsche 911 S/T 2024 – 11/10
I once gave the ride a 10 and that goes back to the Ferrari 458. I'm willing to give the Porsche 911 S/T an 11. I rarely use the word perfection when discussing a driving experience, but on the winding mountain roads of Northern California, the S/T almost brought a tear to my eye.
Knowing that this is probably the only time I will have the chance to drive such a machine, I tried to make the most of the experience. The brand's engineers have put all their know-how into this machine. To give a more “organic” feel, the rear wheel steering was removed. This saves 6.5 kg on the rear axle, but also allows the installation of a lithium-ion battery, which corresponds to a saving of 3.5 kg.
The rims are made of magnesium, which means a weight saving of 10.6 kg compared to the forged rims of the GT3. The carbon doors are from the GT3 RS and require custom-made front fenders with a huge wheel arch cutout, but no air vent at the top. This corresponds to an additional loss of 2 kg. By stiffening the carbon base and reducing the weight of the carpets, the curb weight is further reduced.
Photo: B.Charette
The wheel of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
To make it such a special car, the S/T's clutch is half the weight of the GT3 Touring (10.2kg). The addition of a lighter flywheel results in immediate throttle response, accompanied by the slicker clutch and even closer-ratio gearbox than the GT3. And to complete the effect, the axle ratio is 8% shorter.
Ultimately, you'll have a more nervous, dynamic and lively ride. This car feels uncomfortable at low revs and is fun at high and very high revs.
The price of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
You will understand that a car that was only built in 1963 in the world will be sold at a high price. The base price in Canada is $325,900. Our test model with onboard options cost more than $403,000, including $36,000 in luxury tax.
Porsche Canada has not specified how many models will be made available to dealers across the country. However, we know that to have the privilege of owning this piece of history, you have to be not only a very good customer of the brand, but also a recognized collector, because the S/T is already there even before it hits the market Market is coming, a collector's item.
Photo: B.Charette
The rear of the Porsche 911 S/T 2024
The last word
In a world where the feeling of driving a car will soon disappear, the 911 S/T positions itself at the other end of the spectrum and reminds us why we love mechanics. With this 911, Porsche presents a final icon of a soon-to-be-gone era, a hymn to driving and mechanics that German engineers master so well.
In other words: when it comes to driving pleasure, the 911 S/T is at the top of the brand.
Due to the poor sound insulation, you have to expect a high level of noise, but nothing on the road will make the hair on your arm stand on end like this car. The impeccable steering and unwavering handling encourage the driver to push a little further, but the 911 remains controllable even at the most illegal speeds.
This car, which will not be available until 2024 to mark the 60th anniversary of the 911, is a testament to Porsche's great driving and driving expertise and an example of know-how.
Strong points
- The fantastic mechanics
- Exceptional driving
- The perfect manual transmission
- A mechanism that sings up to 9,000 rpm
Weak points
- The loud cabin
- Disappointing audio system
- The back of the fixed seats
Photo: Porsche
Porsche 911 S/T 2024 logo