Porsche 935 Clubsport Racer Debuts With 700 HP

Porsche has used the Rennsport Reunion to stage the surprise unveiling of the new 935 race car.

Drawing inspiration from the iconic 935/78, the new model is a limited edition Clubsport race car that hasn’t been designed to compete in any particular series.

The car is based on the 911 GT2 RS and features a retro-inspired body which is largely constructed out of lightweight carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) panels. The 935 also features an assortment of components shared with race cars including LED lights from the 919 Hybrid LMP1, side mirrors from the 911 RSR and titanium tailpipes which echo those on the 1968 Porsche 908. Last but not least, there are aerodynamically optimized wheels which mimic those on the 935/78.

Moving into the cabin, there’s a carbon fiber steering wheel and digital instrument cluster sourced from the 2019 911 GT3 R. Drivers sit in a Recaro racing seat and are strapped in by a six-point harness.

To their right is a unique center console and a laminated wood gear knob which pays tribute to historic race cars such as the 909 Bergspyder and 917. The model also has air conditioning, a roll cage and an optional passenger seat.

Motivation comes from a twin-turbo 3.8-liter flat-six engine that produces 690 hp (514 kW / 700 PS). It is connected to a seven-speed PDK transmission which sends power to the ground via a race-optimized limited slip differential.

Porsche declined to say how fast the car is, but confirmed the model weighs 3,042 lbs (1,380 kg) and features a high-performance braking system with six-piston aluminum monobloc racing calipers up front. The model also has Porsche Stability Management, traction control and an anti-lock braking system which can be individually adjusted or shut off completely.

According to Porsche’s Vice President of Motorsport, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, “This spectacular car is a birthday present from Porsche Motorsport to fans all over the world.” He added, “Because the car isn’t homologated for any series, engineers and designers didn’t have to follow the usual rules and thus had freedom in the development [process].”

Production will be limited to 77 units and European pricing starts at €701,948 ($816,840) excluding VAT. US pricing will be announced at a later date, but the company confirmed the car will be imported and sold by Porsche Motorsport North America. Regardless of how much the car costs, the first customer deliveries are scheduled for June of 2019.