Say Hello To The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenary Edition

This special edition of thePorsche 911draws inspiration from the beautiful 356 SL and thespectacularly menacing 911 GT1, which took first and second at Le Mans in 1998. The 356 SL, one of Porsche's lightest cars ever at under 1,400 pounds, was the automaker'sfirst-ever Le Mans winner, and this is the car that most heavily influenced the design considerations of the special edition design considerations. Design work started in 2020 specifically so that the Centenary Edition could be revealed today, on the occasion of the 2023 Le Mans Classic in its centenary year.

The designer of the first Boxster, Grant Larsson, personally led the development of the car in his current role as Director of Special Projects in the Porsche Style department.

The 911 Carrera GTS Centenary Edition features a newly-developed hue called Le Mans Silver, designed at the Porsche color studio with the help of the owner of the 1951 356 SL in these images and Rod Emory, Californian Porsche restoration expert. The new shade is a "modernized" version of the color on the 356 SL and pays tribute to endurance racers of the era, several of which were painted silver.

Other nods to the past include the number 46 roundel on each door, the hand-milled badge on the rear grille, and another 3D badge showing the layout of the Circuit de la Sarthe in the French national colors appears on each of the B-pillars. The rear side windows also get a unique accent design inspired by the 911 GT1, which also influenced the decision to add red seatbelts and Aurum (gold) wheels.

Inside, the track layout is also found in the embossed center armrest, and the upholstery is finished in Graphite Blue with Chalk stitching, another nod to the 356 SL. Other upgrades include the addition of sill strips outlined in Graphite Blue leather, the GT-sport steering wheel with the same Graphite Blue/Chalk scheme and a noon marker, and the velvet seat inserts. The PDLS Plus headlights are also mildly tinted and the car comes with a specific key case, a unique interior cover, and a personalized book showing the vehicle in various states of production at the Zuffenhausen factory.

What will you pay for all of this? €237,819, or just shy of $260,000. Not that it matters to Americans - the special edition is only available in France.