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Deciphering Porsche's mysterious undervalued 911 Turbo S and what makes it so special
by Amrit Balraj on June 27, 2024, 06:00At first glance, this looks like a run-of-the-mill 997.2 generation 911, but there is an interesting story behind the existence of this "Acid Green" accented 918 911. Back in 2010, Porsche introduced an exciting hybrid concept sports car known as the 918 Spyder at the Geneva Motor Show. There was a surge of interest in this upcoming hybrid supercar which Porsche capitalized on and collected initial deposits of $200,000, by as early as 2011. However, it would be nearly three years before Porsche would deliver the 918 Spyder in December 2013 for an MSRP of $645,000 In the meantime, Porsche felt that their exclusive clientele shouldn’t have to sit around twiddling their thumbs and offered a companion 918 Edition 911 Turbo S. For each of the 918 examples of the hybrid 918 made, they offered a companion 918 edition 911.
- Acid Green Accents: Brake calipers, wing mirror accents, and even the "S" badge on the engine cover was finished in a special acid green color, setting it apart from the standard Turbo S.
- Interior Details: Inside, the tachometer needles, seat stitching, and the Sport Chrono clock all received the same acid green treatment. Additionally, a special edition numbered build plaque further emphasized its exclusivity.
- Carbon Fiber Touches: Door sills, mirrors, and air intakes were crafted from carbon fiber, adding a touch of lightweight performance feel.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S 918 Spyder Edition Remains Mechanically Unchanged
At its core, the 918 Edition remains unchanged, which is not a bad thing. The 997.2 is a highly capable sports car with a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six engine making a healthy 530 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. The car’s power is directed through a 7-speed PDK transmission to all 4-wheels. This pushes this car from 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. This makes it quite fast, even by modern standards. What makes the special edition stand out is the livid "acid green" brake calipers, badges, and door mirrors. This color became a signature feature on all future Porsche E Hybrid models. There were also several pieces clad in carbon fiber on the exterior including the upper part of the side view mirrors and the air intake cover. On the interior, the door sills are composed of carbon fiber and emblazoned with an acid-green Turbo S badge. There are more bits of carbon fiber aesthetically dispersed throughout the interiors, imparting a sporty feel. The acid green theme continues with the stitching throughout the cabin, needles within the instrument cluster, and the needle of the sport chrono clock.
Unfortunately, the catch is that nobody knows how many of these special 911s were made, but if they were companion pieces to the 918 Spyder, we can safely assume that 918 of these were made. There are Porsche historians who have made it their life’s mission to track down the VINs of all the companion 918 911s and have found 146 examples so far. Interestingly this means that these cars are rarer than the Porsche 918 Spyder supercar itself. Each of these 918 911s came with a plaque engraved with a corresponding number to the chassis of the 918 Spyder it is linked to. From time to time, these do show up on car auction sites, but they are nowhere as expensive as they should be. According to classic.com, the average price for a 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder currently hovers around $142,350, but expect prices to shoot up once people become more aware of them and their fascinating history.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.8 L Turbocharged Flat-6 |
| Horsepower | 530 hp |
| Torque | 516 lb-ft |
| Acceleration (0-60 mph) | 3.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 195 mph |
| Transmission | 7-speed PDK Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Production | 918 units |
| Basis | Porsche 911 Turbo S (997.2) |
| Bodystyle | Coupe / Cabriolet |
Amrit Balraj
When not reading up or watching videos about obscure and rare automobiles, Amrit spends his free time planning imaginary road trips on some of the best driving roads in the world, preferably in an old truck with a motorcycle strapped to the bed. Read full bio
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