Porsche 911 S/T review

The clues that you’re sitting in a limited-edition special are perhaps more subtle than you might be expecting for such a big anniversary shindig-on-wheels. There’s a slightly gaudy badge on the passenger’s side of the dashboard denoting which number of the 1,963 units your S/T is, you lucky so-and-so. The numerals in the digital screens (and the physical rev counter centrepiece) are resplendent light green, in homage to classic Porsches. As standard, the seat centres are upholstered in a retro fabric, and there’s a teeny S/T badge just south of the stunted gear lever.

You can spec a carbon fibre roll cage a la GT3 RS, but it spoils rear visibility and inhibits access to the bare storage well where the rear seats of lesser 911s would live. 

Otherwise, this is familiar 992. We still don’t like the cupholder directly behind the gear lever – too easy to knock your drink when shifting. You’ll be shifting a lot. And the five toggle switches in the centre (nose lift, suspension mode, hazard lights, ESC Off, ESC/TC Off) only serve to demonstrate how much better tactile controls are than a touchscreen. In fairness, the interface is a swift-reacting one and the ‘shelf’ gives you somewhere to brace your hand as you jab the display.

Does it feel stripped out?

Unlike the old 991, you can’t delete the infotainment to save yet more weight: it’s simply too engrained into the car’s systems. And besides most owners would option it back in anyway. In some ways this cabin feels almost too plush for a lightweight special: the watchstrap door pulls look a little token when the rest of the cockpit is so well-appointed.

Because the S/T retains conventional twin front radiators like the GT3, it retains its huge under-bonnet boot, which is lost in the GT3 RS with which it shares its glorious engine. It’s large enough to swallow a couple of airline carry-on cases and a squashy bag or two.

Oh, and a real geek point: before you step inside, note the door handles. The S/T gets rid of the irritating electric pop-up handles and uses a regular sprung item. It’s a vast improvement to the car’s ‘handshake’ than the standard 992. Hopefully that slice of common sense comes back to all 911s soon.