The Porsche 935 was a legendary racing version of the original 911 Turbo. It dominated sports car racing, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and Sebring 12 hour six times each. It even managed to win Le Mans overall in 1979. The long-tail silhouette shape introduced in 1978 along with a predominantly white Martini paint scheme earned the car the nickname Moby Dick. Now Porsche has just revealed an all-new version. Based on the 911 GT2 RS.
The wide body and long tail make the modern car look absolutely massive. Especially parked next to the original, letting you see just how much the 911 has grown over the decades. The new 935 is 316 mm longer than the GT2 RS, with that beautiful long tail making up most of the difference. It also gets a slant-nose instead of the 911's normal fender-mounting headlights and the front lights are moved to the bumper air intakes. Like the flatter and more aerodynamic nose of the original.
At the rear, that massive rear wing is bigger than any picnic table. It measures 1,909 mm wide and 400 mm deep. It balances out the car aerodynamically with the new nose and front wheel arch air vents adding downforce to the front.
Inside, the shift lever is a wood laminate, inspired by the 917 and 909 racers. The tiny racing steering wheel is carbon fibre, taken from the 911 GT3R racer along with the digital dash display. This is intended as a club racing and track day car so it gets a full safety cage with a racing seat and six-point harness. A second seat for a passenger is optional. Air conditioning is standard, because on a hot track the driver can overheat quicker than the car.
Hiding in that long tail is a 3.8L flat-six fitted with a pair of turbos. It's the same as the engine from the GT2 RS which means 700 hp on offer. The gearbox is a seven-speed PDK unit. The car gets Porsche Stability Management and traction control, but they can be adjusted or shut down completely.
Porsche motorsport VP Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser called the car "a birthday present from Porsche Motorsport to fans all over the world." After all, this is the 40th birthday of the original. The automaker is planning to build 77 of the cars, which seems one off since the car it pays tribute to was introduced in 1978. Maybe they're keeping one for themselves.
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