At this year's The Quail, a Motorsport Gathering, Gunther Werks, the California-based expert who renovates Porsche 911s, unveiled its most recent design.
It is known as the Touring Turbo Edition Coupe and, according to Gunther Werks, it is a 993-based restoration, meaning that it is still fundamentally a Porsche 911, although being significantly modified with the company's distinctive features.
To begin with, the factory-installed air-cooled flat-six has been swapped out for a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter waterless engine built specifically for the vehicle by Rothsport Racing. It is coupled to a factory-installed six-speed manual Getrag transmission that has undergone a thorough restoration that includes the installation of new, custom ratios.
The astounding 750 horsepower produced by the new flat-six engine is all sent to the rear wheels. This is 50 horsepower higher than the Turbo project's top output, which was unveiled at the same ceremony the previous year.
In addition to having higher power, the new model has a carbon fiber ducktail rear wing that ensures the best airflow to the rear-mounted air-cooled lump and has a more subdued appearance than the typical Turbo wing that Gunther Werks provides for its commissions. It's interesting that the ducktail spoiler, an add-on for the regular turbo wing, comes with its own carrying bag.
A nose lift system that's activated by pushing a button on the steering wheel, carbon fiber seats, and rear fenders with integrated ram-air intakes are among the features that the ducktail-equipped Turbo is likely to have. Details are sparse, but given that this latest build is based on the company's twin-turbocharged Project Tornado, we assume that they are included.
Gunther Werks said last year that it will only ever produce 75 cars of its Turbo program, so potential buyers should act quickly if they want a piece of the updated Porsche 993 action. Although prices haven't been disclosed, based on appearances, the adage "if you have to ask, you can't afford it" may apply.