Limited to just 20 examples, here's how it stacks up against Porsche's 50th anniversary 911 Turbo special
As a gearhead who loves a good special edition, I was excited to see what Porsche came up with to celebrate 50 years of the iconic 911 Turbo. Their 911 Turbo 50 Years based on the 992.1 with 1,974 units and historical nods looks like a tempting option. But for those seeking something even more exclusive and outrageous, there’s the Techart GTstreet R Monochrome. This limited edition (only 20 units!) takes the already impressive GTstreet R, based on the 911 Turbo S, and cranks everything up to eleven. Where the 911 Turbo 50 Years from Porsche is more of a cosmetic makeover, Techart has made some significant upgrades with this ultra-low-run model.
Techart GTstreet R Monochrome Picks Up Where The Porsche 911 Turbo 50 Years Left Off
The Monochrome’s engine is heavily modified, producing 810 horsepower—a significant increase over the 50 Years edition’s 650 horsepower
First, forget about the subtle "Turbonite" color on the Porsche edition. The Monochrome goes all-in with a near-black exterior, with just a hint of gold accents for a touch of menace. One look at the massive rear wing and you won’t doubt its aerodynamic capabilities. It retains the active aero parts and brakes from the Turbo S, ensuring you can shed the immense speed that this is capable of.
Frankly, the extensive aero kit may look a bit extreme and certainly is a bit much for my taste, but it actually generates four times the downforce on the rear axle compared to a stock car. So clearly, it’s not just for show and Techart claims it improves handling at speeds as low as 87mph, perfect for a high-speed Autobahn blast or a serious track day.
The Monochrome may feature additional carbon fiber accents and a more sportier steering wheel
Black continues its reign inside, with a luxurious "Manufactory Interior" featuring even more carbon fiber than Porsche offers, along with reupholstered seats and a new steering wheel. Techart throws in some "traditional heritage fabrics" for a bit of contrast.
But the Monochrome isn’t just about the aesthetics. There’s a lot of substance under the skin. It boasts a heavily modified 3.8-liter flat-six engine, packing 810 horsepower – that’s 160 more than the standard Turbo S! Techart promises a "declaration of war unleashed at the push of a button" with this power upgrade, and with 700 pound-feet of torque, they’re probably not exaggerating.
But how does it stack up against Porsche’s own on the 50th anniversary of the iconic 911 Turbo? Let’s find out
So, with the facts out of the way, is it worth it? Well, here’s my take. Let’s talk money first. The Porsche 911 Turbo 50 years (seen above), will set you back $261,000, making it just under 30 grand more than a stock 911 Turbo S. For the money, what you get is mostly cosmetic upgrades with some more standard equipment. With no power upgrades, I see this as a missed opportunity for Porsche.
Beyond the standard features of the 911 Turbo S, the 911 Turbo 50 Years offers
Sport exhaust system with black tailpipes
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) sport suspension with a 10 mm lower ride height
Front-axle lift system
Tinted LED Matrix design headlights with Dynamic Light System Plus
Black brake calipers
The GTstreet R Monochrome is even more collectible and is limited to just 20 units
As for the Monochrome, beyond the wild body kit, which is also functional, you so get a substantial boost in power over the standard car, making it seem like the better anniversary edition compared to what Porsche is offering. While no official price tag is available, to give you some context, the GT Street R (also based on the 992.1 Turbo S) with the Flyweight treatment, will set you back $300,000+. As the name suggests, it is 130 pounds lighter than a stock 911 Turbo S. Also, with only 20 destined for production, Techart has gone ahead and made this limited-run model, even more exclusive and collectible.