2019 Porsche 935

 

The iconic Porsche 911-based 935 track car made a return for a limited production run for the 2019 model year and was created to commemorate Porsche's 70th anniversary. The latest 935 is based on the 991-gen 911 GT2 RS and isn't street legal. Like the 911 GT2 RS it's based on, the newest 935 is powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six producing 700 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque paired to a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch. It can launch from zero to 60 mph in about 2.3 seconds and can reach a top speed of 211 mph. Like the 935 from the 70s and 80s, the 2019 935 is characterized by its elongated bodywork and large rear wing. Its back end design resembles that of a whale tail, earning the nickname "Moby Dick." The 935's body and chassis is constructed entirely of carbon fiber, with the carbon fiber on the example above being completely exposed. Exposed carbon fiber is the standard look for the 935, while other available wraps are optional and drive up the cost of the vehicle. Since it is a race car, the 935 has its interior fully stripped down and void of creature comforts for optimal weight savings. In addition, one racing bucket seat for the driver is standard while an additional racing seat for a passenger is optional. 

How serious of a race car is the 935? Its windows are fixed in place, and the vehicle contains no door locks or a trunk. However, its mirrors are from the 911 RSR race car and are power operated. Unlike every Porsche road car, the 935 contains a dial to adjust the intensity of the anti-lock brakes depending on track conditions and switches to turn on and off traction control. A majority of the passenger footwell in the 935 is taken up by the battery and fire-suppression canister, so those who opt to be a passenger in a 935 will have to sacrifice some of their foot space to ride in one. Like with may race cars, the 935's gauge cluster contains number readouts rather than actual gauges. Its taillights and turn signals are LED bars that are integrated into the giant rear wing and look amazing. They may not be immediately visible, but the 935's brake lights are the regular 911 GT2 RS brake lights hidden under the vehicle's whale tail. Where the rear windows would usually be are for the jacking and water injection systems, while the fuel port is located on the top center of the hood near the base of the windshield. In all, the 935 weighs 300 pounds less than the 911 GT2 RS.

The reborn 935 is one of the rarest Porsche models in recent memory, as only 77 examples were ever made and each one carried a starting price of $829,000 a pop. I'm lucky to have seen one up close and didn't have to travel out of town to do so. It is also not designated for any specific racing series, so owners can enjoy their 935s however they would like to, whether it be for track days or whatever competitive series they want to race in. 

Lastly, the most recent Porsche 935 is an insane and very special racing vehicle, considering how small and short its production run was. This 935 was on display at a car show I attended back in April, and it had to be the craziest and most exclusive car at that specific car show.