The legacy of open-top, performance-focused Porsche sports cars tailored for the discerning North American enthusiast continues with the arrival of a stunning new model. Unveiled at the 2022 Porsche Parade in Poconos, Pennsylvania, this captivating machine is rooted in the 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, inheriting its formidable chassis and powertrain. Emphasizing pure driving engagement, the Porsche 911 Gts America Edition is offered exclusively with a seven-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, promising an exhilarating connection between driver and machine.
Kjell Gruner, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, aptly captures the spirit behind this new model: “Passion for driving a Porsche runs deep in the United States. In particular, there is something special about hitting the road in an open-top 911 with a manual transmission that fits perfectly here. This is also the perfect time to add another ‘America’ model to our story as we look back on 70 years since the 356 America Roadster and 30 years since the 964 America Roadster.”
High-Performance Engineering for Open-Air Thrills
Beneath the distinctive styling of the Porsche 911 GTS America Edition lies a potent twin-turbocharged three-liter flat-six engine, delivering a thrilling 473 horsepower (353 kW) and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque. This powerhouse ensures exhilarating performance, perfectly complemented by the standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) Sport. The PASM Sport system lowers the ride height by 10 millimeters and incorporates helper springs on the rear axle, enhancing handling precision and agility.
Further amplifying the driving experience, the Sport Exhaust system and Sport Chrono Package are also included as standard equipment, providing a more visceral sound and access to performance-enhancing driving modes. For those seeking even greater dynamic capabilities, rear axle steering and Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) are available as optional upgrades. The standard braking system features robust cast iron rotors – 408 mm at the front with six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 380 mm rotors at the rear with four-piston fixed aluminum calipers, all finished in Black.
Standard interior appointments include a Black leather interior, accented by Guards Red seat belts and White instrument dials for the tachometer and gauges, creating a striking and sporty ambiance.
Exclusive Styling by Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur
The Porsche 911 GTS America Edition receives bespoke aesthetic enhancements courtesy of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, ensuring it stands out with distinctive visual appeal. The exterior is finished in Azureblue356, a captivating color inspired by the 1953 356 America Roadster and exclusively reserved for this special model in the 2023 model year. The uniquely designed RS Spyder Design Wheels feature white spoke inners and silver outer surfaces, further accented by a Guards Red pinstripe along the rim edge.
Along the doors, eye-catching white decals with Guards Red accents proudly display ‘America’ designation, while the rear model designation distinguishes itself with ‘911 Carrera’ in White and ‘GTS’ in Guards Red. Inside the cabin, the color theme continues with Guards Red cross stitching and Pebble Grey surrounding stitching throughout, including the upper dashboard and door panels. The center console armrest features two-tone stitching in Guards Red and Pebble Grey, and the word ‘America’ is subtly embossed in the leather. Unique illuminated door sill treadplates, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the 356 America Roadster, are also included as standard. An optional extended interior package allows for further personalization, extending the color theme to the steering wheel, gear lever, and seats.
A Lineage of American Roadsters: 356 and 964
The story of Porsche’s “America Roadster” models began with Max Hoffman, the pioneering importer who introduced Porsche to the US market. Recognizing the American appetite for sporty, open-top cars, Hoffman launched the 356 America Roadster in 1953. Stripped down to the essentials, this lightweight roadster featured a 1.5-liter flat-four engine producing 70 horsepower, a significant upgrade from earlier models. The 356 America Roadster paved the way for the iconic 356 Speedster, sharing a similar philosophy of minimalist, open-air driving pleasure. Exclusivity was key, with only 16 examples of the 356 America Roadster ever produced.
Decades later, in 1992, Porsche revived the “America Roadster” concept with the 964 generation 911. This limited-edition model, again exclusive to the US market, offered open-top driving and enhanced performance. Just 250 units of the 964 America Roadster were built, featuring the wide body, brakes, suspension, and 17-inch Porsche Cup wheels borrowed from the contemporary 911 Turbo. This direct link to the Turbo model, combined with the Carrera engine in the new Porsche 911 GTS America Edition, solidifies its position as a true spiritual successor, blending GTS performance with the spirit of the Turbo within the Carrera lineage.
Availability
The 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Edition is anticipated to reach US dealerships in late 2022, offering a new chapter in Porsche’s storied history of American-focused sports cars.
