2020 Porsche 935

This 2020 Porsche 935 is one of only 77 examples built for Porsche’s top clients. Based on the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2), this particular example has covered only 37 miles (60 km) from new and, as such, is in pristine condition. 

A modern interpretation of the immortal 935 Group 5 racer, it is finished in matte carbon over black. The 935 features a water-cooled, twin-turbocharged alloy-cased six-cylinder boxer engine of 3.8-liters of displacement, producing 700 hp, mated to a seven-speed PDK gearbox with short gearshifts.

The original customer’s specifications included the matte black over black colorway. Other notable features of the 935 include:

• Lightweight hybrid aluminum steel chassis design
• Carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bodywork including rear side window panels
• CFRP rear wing adopted from the 911 GT3 R
• Fully integrated roll cage (FIA Art. 277)
• CFRP roof with roof hatch (FIA Art. 277)
• 115-liter fuel cell in the front section
• Three on-board air jacks
• LED headlights in four-line design including indicators
• LED rear lights integrated in rear-wing side plates
• FIA rain light
• Electronically-adjustable carbon fiber-reinforced plastic mirrors adopted from the 911 RSR
• Race-optimized cooling system
• Race-optimized exhaust system
• Electro-hydraulic power steering
• MacPherson suspension struct (front axle)
• Multi-link suspension (rear axle)
• High-performance spherical bearings
• Motorsport three-way shock absorbers
• Front and rear anti-roll bars adjustable by blade positions
• One-piece aluminum six-piston racing calipers
• Ventilated steel brake discs (front 390 mm, rear 380 mm)
• Race brake pads
• Optimized brake cooling
• Motorsport-optimized PSM system
• One-piece forged BBS alloy wheels
• Wheel covers optimized for cooling and performance

Interior features include:

• Recaro race bucket seat
• Six-point safety harness for use with HANS
• Cosworth ICD display with Logger
• CFRP multi-function quick-release steering wheel
• Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
• Air conditioning system
• Electronically-activated fire extinguisher system
• Central locking system
• Gear shift knob made from milled laminated wood
• Titanium PDK shaft
• Unique dash plaque design indicating limited-edition number
• Lightweight racing interior parts trimmed in Alcantara and CFRP
• Analog boost pressure indicator
• Porsche Sport Chrono watch

In autumn 2018, Porsche unveiled its newest incarnation of the 935 at the Rennsport Reunion VI at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. Much to the crowd’s delight, a factory driver unleashed it for several high-speed demonstration laps. Marking the brand’s 70th anniversary, Dr. Frank-Steffan Walliser, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport and GT Cars, stated that “this spectacular car is a birthday present from Porsche Motorsport to fans all over the world. Because the car isn’t homologated, engineers and designers didn’t have to follow the usual rules and thus had freedom in development.”

‘Spectacular’ is somewhat of an understatement. In spite of a dry weight of 3,042 pounds (1,380 kg), the 935/19 can launch from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 211 mph (340 km/h). Understandably, Porsche stressed that the 935 is a track-only beast, and therefore cannot legally be registered for road use. In August 2019, Porsche began taking orders, with the limited-edition series quickly selling out.

According to Porsche, the race car’s technology for club racing events and private training on racetracks is based on the 911 GT2 RS high-performance sports car. Like its historic predecessor, most of the body has been replaced or supplemented by CFRP parts. With its streamlined extended rear, the 935 reaches a length of 4.87 meters, with the width of the exclusive clubsport racer measuring 2.03 meters.

Despite its spectacular aerodynamics being a completely new development, the latest 935 pays tribute to the Porsche 935/78 Le Mans race car, which fans dubbed ‘Moby Dick’ due to its elongated shape, massive fairings, and white base color. The distinctive wheel arch air vents on the front fairings, which also feature on the Porsche 911 GT3 R customer vehicle, increase downforce at the front axle. Measuring 1,909 mm in width by 400 mm in depth, the rear wing lends aerodynamic balance. 

Several other exterior details are a salute to the victorious vehicles from the company’s motor racing history. The aerodynamically-capped rims, for example, echo those of the 935/78, with the LED rear lights on the rear wing endplates adopted from the 919 Hybrid LMP1 race car, too. Then there are the side mirrors, which hail from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, as well as the exposed titanium tailpipes modeled on the 1968 Porsche 908.

Power is transferred to the rear-mounted engine via a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) with rigid gearbox suspension at the 310-mm-wide rear axle. Much like the 911 GT road models, the driver changes gears via conveniently positioned shift paddles on the steering wheel. And, in typical 911 fashion, the weight distribution ensures excellent traction and braking performances. 

Like the road-legal 911 GT2 RS, the 935 comes equipped with Porsche Stability Management (PSM), including traction control, as well as an anti-locking braking system (ABS). Thanks to a so-called map switch, these assistance systems can be adjusted separately or switched off completely, depending on the driving situation.

Combining performance, rarity, and excitement, this Porsche 935 presents a wonderful opportunity for a Porsche collector or serious and skilled track-day enthusiast to acquire the ultra-modern ‘Moby Dick’.