Porsche relives past Le Mans glory with 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition

By Stephen Edelstein June 10, 2014

Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Porsche is looking forward to its return to top-level competition at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans, but it’s also looking back.

The Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition isn’t poorly-conceived joke about drunk driving, it’s a tribute to classic Porsche race cars like the 917 and 935 “Moby Dick,” which wore Martini’s signature red-and-blue racing stripes into battle throughout the 1970s.

The livery still looks good on today’s 991-generation 911. The stripes contrast either a black or white body color, while Porsche’s Aerokit Cup body kit completes the transformation.

On the inside, passengers won’t forget that they’re in a Martini Racing Edition, thanks to numerous badges. Other features include body-color dashboard trim, a sport steering wheel, and a standard Sport Chrono pack. Buyers can also add the Porsche Communication Management package, which includes navigation, a Bose sound system, and a black tachometer and leather seats.

While the Martini edition may look more like a race car than the conventional Carrera S, the two cars are mechanically identical. Drivers are treated to a 3.8-liter flat-six with 400 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, coupled to either a seven-speed manual or PDK dual-clutch automated transmission.

With the PDK and Sport Plus mode engaged, the Martini will mirror the standard Carrera S’ 0 to 62 mph time of 4.1 seconds and top speed of 188 mph.

The 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition will be limited to just 80 units worldwide, and so far none are coming to the U.S. The car will launch in Europe later this month, followed by China in August, and Japan and Latin America in October.

So U.S. buyers will probably miss out on this tribute to Porsche racing heritage, but there are plenty of other classic racing liveries to revive. How about a Gulf Racing 911 to honor Steve McQueen?

Porsche 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Edition — Image used with permission by copyright holder

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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