Tuesday 10th June 2014

Porsche 911 gets Martini'd

Crass or class? Whatever you think here's what a 991 looks like after a Martini or two

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Porsche has announced a limited run of 80 Martini Racing Edition versions of the 911 Carrera S. Developed by Porsche Exclusive, the special edition marks Porsche's return to the top flight at Le Mans, as well as commemorating the two brands' previous tie-ups in the 1970s, notably with the 917 and 935.

Well, it makes a change from silver at least

The decal pack is certainly extensive (hands up who thinks stopping at the doors would have been fine?), and for the purposes of this exercise will only be combined with either white or black paint. Though if you're really keen, Porsche Tequipment will be offering the stickers as an aftermarket accessory for other 911s. Knock yourself out.

The Martini Racing Edition is more than just a loud set of stripes, however. It also includes the Aerokit Cup front and rear spoilers, standard fit Sport Chrono package, PDK gearbox, sport design steering wheel, Porsche Communication Management with nav, and a Bose sound system.

Open the door, and you'll be greeted by stainless steel sill panels with illuminated "911 Carrera S - Martini Racing Edition" script (presumably just in case it's dark outside and your date doesn't clock the graphics), body-coloured dashboard accents with Martini Racing Edition badge, a black rev counter dial face and all-electric black leather sports seats.

Further booze-themed 911s to follow?

There's no extra oomph under the rear hood, but being an S this 911 already punches out 400hp, and the PDK/Sport Chrono combo will comfortably see off 62mph in 4.1 seconds.

That's the good news.

The bad news is we've spoken to Porsche, and been told that just two - two - 911 Carrera S Martini Racing Editions are allocated to UK Porsche Centres, one black, one white. Prices start at £102,862, including the usual three-year warranty and driving course at Silverstone. Buyer with the fastest bank transfer presumably wins.

Cute. But for that money, we can't help thinking a £100,540 GT3 might be a better bet. With or without the built-in barbeque. On the other hand, this (one of three RHD) 930 Martini Turbo is achingly cool. POA indeed.

 

 

 

[Nick Young]

Think I saw one of these while I was driving past the Dick Lovett garage in Swindon the other day. Have to say it looked pretty awesome!

[Oz83]

A Carrera S with stickers (albeit great looking ones) and cheesy illuminated sills....or a GT3. Hmmmm let me think.

[dlockhart]

I couldn't live with this everyday. I could live with it on a track car, so I guess its a case of why you are buying a 911.

[richs2891]

As a weekend blast car then yes, and as much as I prefer black cars to white, it looks so much better in white.
As a day to day car then a little too much in my eyes.

[hornetrider]

Would have looked better with a much thinner Martini bonnet stripe imo. Has it got a Sports exhaust?

[Beefmeister]

The Martini stripes will be available through Techquipment eventually, so I'll take a GT3 please, in white, and add the stripes to a more deserving car later, taa very much.

[woof]

A martini liveried race car porsche is totally iconic
Putting the same stickers on a road car somehow looks cheap to me.

Not that I'm guilty of using a similar but nothing like it (for copyright infringement reasons) livery on my racecar

[number1nesta]

911's with Martini stripes are a bit special for me because, as a young boy of about four, my uncle bought a 70's 911 in white, with the Martini stripes. It could have been brown for all it mattered as I was a car obsessed kid but, it did look the part. And a rare sight too.

So, to see this is personally a bit disappointing as I would love to have seen it look like the one my uncle had:



But that of course is my own, sentimental opinion...

Nostalgia aside though, I'd be happy to have the stripes as they are but the big 'Martini' on the bonnet. A step too far for me.

[Impasse]

What's the difference between the thinking behind this and the Lotus Exige LF1? I'm struggling to understand why there isn't a pithy editorial and no real cynical comment about this car.

[Itsallicanafford]

...you would look like a right plonker in one of those. Imagine turning up at the pub to meet your mates and them all buying you Martini's.

[Freakuk]

Have to say I love it, such iconic branding but as an everyday car???

[VladD]

Itsallicanafford said:

...you would look like a right plonker in one of those. Imagine turning up at the pub to meet your mates and them all buying you Martini's.

Free booze, awesome.

[Dr S]

It would have worked on a GT3 - but on a Carrera S? How crass is that...

[chelme]

Crass

[Lost soul]

number1nesta said:

911's with Martini stripes are a bit special for me because, as a young boy of about four, my uncle bought a 70's 911 in white, with the Martini stripes. It could have been brown for all it mattered as I was a car obsessed kid but, it did look the part. And a rare sight too.

So, to see this is personally a bit disappointing as I would love to have seen it look like the one my uncle had:



But that of course is my own, sentimental opinion...

Nostalgia aside though, I'd be happy to have the stripes as they are but the big 'Martini' on the bonnet. A step too far for me.

Uncles car was done tastefully the new one is not

[Baryonyx]

A crass exercise living on an iconic brand.

This is where I want to see Martini:

[DoubleSix]

Personally think it looks odd the stripe stopping at the end of the bonnet....

[LuS1fer]

I keep planning on doing this to my Mustang (which is silver).

Never got round to it as the side striping always looked too difficult. However, this simplification has promise....

Hmmmm....

[Beefmeister]

DoubleSix said:

Personally think it looks odd the stripe stopping at the end of the bonnet....

I agree, I think it should have a 'nose' to finish it off. Cue hastily photoshopped image:

[JohnGoodridge]

Porsche will sell you the stickers? So apart from some dash detailing and backlit kick plates why could I not just spec a new 991 this way (should I wish?)