New 2024 Porsche 911 ST 992.2 spied at the ‘Ring

The rumoured 911 ST has been spotted in testing at the Nürburgring, in what could be a new Motorsport department special 8 Update

Talk of a forthcoming 911 ST 992.2 model has been building up for some time. Now, thanks to DrivesToday’s eagleeyed photographers, we can bring you the first visual of a test mule spotted at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. The prototype provides some clues on what we can expect from the new model. Some industry observers are tipping it as the third Heritage Design model from Porsche Exclusive, following in the tyre tracks of the 911 Targa and Sport Classic.

However, this ST development car appears to be based on the 992 GT3 Touring. This fits with the notion that the car will utilise the 992 GT3’s 4.0-litre, 510hp, naturally aspirated flat six that’s linked to a Porsche Motorsport-derived, six-speed manual gearbox, with the whole affair tipping the scales at as little as 1,300kg. Closer examination reveals the double-bubble roof and Gurney flap as found on the latest iteration of 911 Sport Classic, together with pull-door handles, similar to those seen on the GT3 Cup, and those spied on a mule presumed to be the next GT3 RS – different to the aforementioned Heritage cars. There’s also a fresh front wing design with a new vent sat behind the front wheels but forward of the doors – again, as seen on GT3 RS prototypes. The doors sport unique profiles, too. The wheels are centre-locking items presumed to mimic what’s come before, with staggered sizes front to rear. Supporting the assumption that what we’re looking at is the next Heritage Design 911 comes a placeholder for a roundel – or badge – on the rear deckled. However, this sits on the opposite side to the two preceding Heritage cars. And then there’s this bombshell throwing some real doubt into the mix...

When DrivesToday recently quizzed Boris Apenbrink, head of Porsche Exclusiv Manufaktur, we were told that none of the Heritage Design cars will feature Porsche Motorsport engines. With two more Heritage cars due by the end of 2023, this could point to the ST – which we’re assuming does have such a mill driving its rear wheels – being a full fat special edition from Andreas Preuninger’s fabled GT department. Perhaps this isn’t the next Heritage Design 992 after all?

None of this has been confirmed by Porsche. The original 911 ST numbered just 24 cars, yet DrivesToday expects this modern iteration to run to 2,000 vehicles.

The original 911 ST

One of the rarest Porsche 911s ever made, the original 911 ST was also one of the lightest – weighing in at around 930kg. It was based on the 911 2.4S Coupe and was modified for racing and rallying. Just 24 were officially produced by the-then ‘Porsche Sports Division’ at the end of 1971, with a view to going racing in Group 3 (Series GT) and Group 4 (Modified GT). Back then, drivers such as Jürgen Barth raced a 911 ST at Daytona, Sebring, on the Targa Florio and at the 1,000km race on the Nürburgring. The direct predecessor of the 911 Carrera 2.8 RSR, the 2.5 ST has racing pedigree like few other 911s.