Porsche has never shied away from producing remarkable special editions, but some models are arguably cooler than others.
Porsche has built superb high-performance sports cars and race cars that achieved cult status, and as a result, it has never shied away from dedicating a special edition to its loyal fans. Over the years, Porsche has offered these special editions with high-end factory-installed vehicle upgrades that are not typically available in normal production models. And with each special edition, Porsche showcases an attractive theme that is just as unique as its history.
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For Stuttgart's finest, these special editions are an homage to its anniversaries, special milestones, and past accomplishments. However, Porsche's consistency in producing these extraordinary limited series is no easy feat, and you could easily lose count of how many there have been. After sifting through these remarkable models, here's our list of some of the coolest special edition Porsches.
A Porsche Cayenne won the Transsyberia Intercontinental Rally (from Moscow to the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator) for the first time in 2007. The SUV again proved its outstanding competitiveness in the 4,460-mile heavy terrain by clinching the first three slots in 2007 and the leading positions from one to six in 2008. Porsche commemorated the impressive success with a 600 limited-production run of the special edition Cayenne S Transsyberia in 2009, built with road and off-road capability.
The Transsyberia model features a 400hp 4.8-liter naturally aspirated V-8 with direct fuel injection, six-speed manual gearbox, sports exhaust with two dual tailpipes, attractive rally color combinations, and air suspension with Porsche Active Suspension Management and Porsche Traction Management. Optional features include the Offroad Technology package, discreet color combinations, no-cost 'Cayenne S Transsyberia' badging, and no-cost offroad roof headlights.
2021 marked 25 years since Porsche introduced the Boxster, the plucky little roadster that saved Porsche from ruin. The 25 Years Edition model wears bespoke features such as GT Silver paint, Bordeaux Red interior, 'Boxster 25' badges, and 1993-aping Neodyme copper color on the anniversary-specific wheels, front and side air intakes.
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Limited to 1,250 examples, the 25 Years Edition houses the same 394hp 4.0-liter flat-six as the conventional 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster GTS, available with either a six-speed manual or PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Although the $98,600 starting price and the dated PCM infotainment are opinion-splitters, brand loyalists get to own a fun-to-drive Boxster that carries the weight of historical significance.
Porsche Design, the design studio that offers a wide range of custom 'Porsche Design' products, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2022 with a special 911 Targa dubbed the Edition 50Y Porsche Design. The anniversary commemorates the 50-decade milestone for the first Porsche Design product, the revolutionary 1972 Porsche Design Chronograph 1 watch.
Porsche used the 911 Targa 4 GTS as the base for the 750-unit limited production, ensuring each model comes standard with a plain black exterior with Platinum accents, embossed 'F.A. Porsche' signatures, classic checkered patterns for the Sport-Tex seat center panels, and a Sport Chrono Package with the Porsche Design Subsecond clock mounted on the dashboard. The Edition 50Y Porsche Design boasts a 473hp turbocharged 3.0-liter flat-six engine paired with an eight-speed PDK or seven-speed manual gearbox.
The 911 Sport Classic is the second of four collector's items featured in Porsche's Heritage Design strategy, a special edition model aimed at reviving the styling of the 1960s and '70s. Porsche plans to build 1,250 examples, with inspiration derived from the original 911 produced from 1964 to 1973 and the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 introduced in 1972.
The 911 Sport Classic distinctively features the wide body usually reserved for 911 Turbo models, Sport Grey Metallic paintwork, a fixed 'ducktail' spoiler that echoes the Carrera RS 2.7, a double-bubble roof, twin stripes running through the middle, a sports exhaust system, and iconic Pepita interior patterns complemented by two-tone semi-aniline leather upholstery. The unique powertrain features a 542hp 3.7-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine with a seven-speed manual gearbox, making it the most powerful manual 911 today.
Porsche introduced a special Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 in 2008 to commemorate 35 years since Porsche Design introduced its first consumer product, the famous Chronograph 1 designed by Ferdinand Alexander. And since the black theme imparts class on the Cayman S, it flows from the exterior to include a completely blacked-out interior.
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The standard equipment for the limited 777 examples also includes an elegant briefcase containing the Flat Six Chronograph, a pair of sunglasses, a pocket knife, a key ring, and a pen - all in black. Cayman S Porsche Design Edition 1 boasts technical features such as Porsche Active Suspension Management, a special Sport mode, and five-millimeter spacers that collaborate with 19-inch turbo wheels to reinforce its presence.
Limited to 992 examples, Porsche introduced the Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition with state-of-the-art sports car technology and historic design features that reflect the iconic 1950s and '60s. Porsche derived inspiration for the Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition from the revolutionary 911 Targa and the legendary Porsche 356.
Distinctive design highlights include a historical 1963 Porsche crest, personalized start numbers on the sides, gold-colored rear logos, Atacama Beige interior accents, perforated Alcantara headliners, brushed aluminum door sill guards, and an analog rev counter with green numbers as a tribute to the Porsche 356. Details like the embossed Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur logo on the storage compartment lid, Heritage Design plaque on the radiator grille, Heritage design floor mats, and an actual limited-edition plaque on the dashboard undoubtedly evoke strong emotions from the lucky owners.
Porsche has claimed more Le Mans wins than any other automaker, so choosing the Le Mans track as the unveiling venue for the 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition was appropriate. Porsche Exclusive designed and manufactured the 235 units of the 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition to celebrate track-oriented dynamics and motorsport-inspired design combined with a high degree of personalization for Porsche customers.
Porsche Team's World Endurance Championship race cars inspired the exterior livery, while themes based on the passion for detail, individualism, craftsmanship, and tradition emphasize a sporting ambiance in the interior. The 911 Carrera S Endurance Racing Edition features a 420hp 3.0-liter flat-six, a Sport Chrono package, sports exhaust system, PDCC with PASM Sports Chassis, rear-axle steering, black LED headlights, 20-inch Carrera S alloy wheels, carbon interior trim package, black leather interior, and an electric slide sunroof.
Based on the 911 GT2 RS high-performance sports car, the second-generation 935 was unveiled in 2019 at the Laguna Seca Raceway during the historic Rennsport Reunion motorsport event. The special 77-unit production run sees the 935's carbon-fiber composite body pay tribute to the Porsche 935/78 Le Mans 'Moby Dick' race car, commemorating 70 years of Porsche sports cars.
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The 935 Clubsport racer also salutes to winning vehicles with aerodynamically capped rims from the 935/78, side mirrors from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, rear LED lights from the 919 Hybrid LMP1, and exposed titanium tailpipes inspired by the 1968 Porsche 908. Notable performance features include a 700hp 3.8-liter six-cylinder twin-turbo engine, a seven-speed PDK gearbox, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, PSM, and a map switch to adjust available assistance systems.
In 2021, Porsche celebrated the 25th anniversary of Manthey-Racing GmbH with an extraordinary special edition model based on the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport and inspired by Manthey's 911 GT3 R 'Grello.' Porsche and Manthey have won numerous races and championships, and the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 benefits from this vast experience. Limited to just 30 cars, Porsche designed and developed the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 for circuit racing and track days.
Manthey contributed the technical ideas and the basic concept, while Porsche provided the final design, an amalgamation that sees the 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 bridge the gap between the 991 and 992 generations of the 911. The 911 GT2 RS Clubsport 25 features a 3.8-liter flat-six twin-turbo engine, seven-speed PDK gearbox, carbon fiber front lid, 18-inch rims, wide rear spoiler, four-stripe headlights, rain taillights, green and yellow livery.
The 911 Speedster is a fitting tribute that visualizes what the Porsche brand has represented for over 70 years; Ferry Porsche's dream to build courageous sports car concepts and present new ideas. The 911 Speedster's unmistakable features include a lowered windshield, a lightweight construction, aerodynamic streamliners on the rear lid, Porsche PCCB, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels with central locking.
Limited to 1,948 examples, the 911 Speedster packs a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder horizontally opposed engine, paired with a six-speed GT sports manual transmission. Considering the Speedster is the last of the 991 generation of the 911, Porsche offers an optional Heritage Design package devised by Porsche Design and superbly crafted by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur.
Simon Kim has always been passionate about machines since childhood, and this has grown into an obsession well into adulthood. As an avid reader and creative content writer, he finds joy and fulfillment in sharing his love for cars and bikes with other machine heads. Currently, Kim seeks to deliver exciting and informative articles on HotCars. He enjoys music and art and dabbles in active sports and virtual gaming in his spare time.