Porsche at 70: 911 GT2 RS reborn as 935

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Porsche is celebrating its 70th anniversary by launching a limited-run 935 supercar that pays homage to the marque’s similarly named 24 hours of Le Mans competitor from the 1970s.

Announced at the company’s annual Rennsport Reunion, at the Laguna Seca circuit in California, the 935 is a track-only vehicle featuring a long-tail design and Martini colour scheme plucked from the 1978 “Moby Dick” 935/78 racer.

The new model is based on the current 911 GT2 RS and adopts the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine, says Auto Express. This engine produces 692bhp, which is sent to the rear-rear-axle through a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox.

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The bodywork of the 935, however, is far more retro than that on the standard GT2 RS, stretching further back at the rear end in a sculpted design inspired by the old 935/78.

The front end has also been reworked, with the GT2 RS’s circular headlights ditched in favour of a more streamlined bonnet. The 935 is slightly wider than the base model, too, creating space for two large air intakes in front of the rear wheels.

Retro design notwithstanding, the 935 is equipped with plenty of hi-tech features. These include a carbon dashboard - which mirrors that in the company’s 911 RSR racing car, notes Evo - while the LED brake lights mounted on the rear wing are similar to those on the 919 Hybrid Le Mans prototype.

Although the 935 is inspired by the company’s racing history, Porsche has no plans to enter the limited-edition model in motorsport events.

Speaking to Autocar, Porsche Motorsport vice president Frank-Steffen Walliser said: “The car isn’t homologated [for racing], engineers and designers didn’t have to follow the usual rules, and thus had freedom in the development.”

Just 77 examples of the 935 are being made, each priced at €701,948 (£625,000) plus VAT. Deliveries are set to begin in June 2019.