The $525,000 Gunther Werks 911 “Sting” is Worth Every Penny
The Gunther Werks Porsche 993 Sting exceeds expectations, showing off outstanding performance and track-focused driving dynamics that put to shame even current generation race-focused 911 models. It is worth every penny!
From Road Car to Race car
Today, you can get a 1995 Porsche 993 C2 Coupe for even less than $60,000, but this 1995 Gunther Werks Porsche 993 C2 Coupe, dubbed the “Sting”, costs well over $500,000. Yes, you heard right, and according to Gunther Werks co-founder Peter Nam, you may spend much more on one of these builds if you go all out with the different customization options. Gunther Werks plans to build up to 25 units of these custom-built Porsche “400R” 993s, and each customer is allowed to customize his/her car differently.
The Sting’s owner asked for it to be painted bright yellow with twin stripes, hence the reason why the “Sting” was a fitting name. The Sting is not your ordinary 993; it is a track-focused, no-nonsense race car that happens to be street legal. According to Gunther Werks, the Sting is the most track-oriented build they have done to date. It started out as a regular 1995 993 C2 Coupe that was then rebuilt from the ground up. Except for the doors, the whole car is made out of carbon fiber. It took 8 months to build. So yes, the significant price bump is justifiable. But it gets better; keep reading!
The 993 is a Perfect Base Car for a Racecar Build
The Porsche 993 is one of the most engaging-to-drive generations of the Porsche 911. It is one of the smaller and lighter 911 generations, and it is known for its direct analog steering feel and its nimble handling. The 993 was also the last 911 generation to feature air-cooled flat-6 engines. The 993’s air-cooled engine is lighter than the more recent water-cooled 911 flat-6 engines because it does not have a water pump, a radiator, coolant, hoses, and water jackets. Also, as is the nature of air-cooled engines, the 993’s engine is also thrillingly loud. Its exhaust note is throaty and deep, especially at the high revs, so it offers plenty of inspiration when you go full throttle on a track.
The Sting is way lighter (up to 700 pounds lighter) than the stock 993 thanks to its lightweight carbon-fiber construction, its significantly reduced sound-insulation materials, and the many other adjustments that Gunther Werks made to reduce the car’s weight. It weighs in at just over 2,500 pounds, thanks to which it enjoys outstanding agility.
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Rothsport Racing Engine
For the engine, Gunther Werks sought the expertise of Sherwood, Oregon-based Porsche specialists Rothsport Racing. The Sting’s engine started out as a naturally aspirated 3.6-liter M64 flat-6 engine that developed 272 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 243 lb.-ft. of torque at 5000 rpm. The guys at Rothsport Racing did some serious alterations, which included increasing its displacement to 4 liters, giving it individual throttle bodies, and installing a "bespoke" Motec 600 ECU. Now, the Sting’s engine puts out 425 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. It delivers plenty of low-end torque, and it revs to an amazing 7,800 rpm redline. Thanks to its reduced weight and enhanced power output, the Sting boasts an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of approximately 340 horsepower per ton, which is even better than the current-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS’s power-to-weight ratio of 319 horsepower per ton.
Photo Coutesy of Tuningblog.eu
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Manual Shifter
Even better is the fact that all that power and torque gets directed to the rear wheels via an upgraded, racing-focused 6-speed manual transmission that delivers quick and precise shifts, facilitating seamless, steady, and rapid acceleration.
Photo Courtesy of Formacar.com
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Those Brakes!!
Gunther Werks co-founder Peter Nam said that the Sting’s brakes alone cost approx. $40,000; you can get a good quality sports car for that money. They are custom-made Brembo CCM-R (Carbon Ceramic for Racing) brakes – they type that is used in F1. The McLaren Senna also has this brake technology. According to Nam, it took Brembo 8 months to develop the Sting’s brake rotors. They are built to last the lifetime of the car.
Photo Courtesy of Formacar.com
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Adjustable Suspension
For the suspension, Gunther Werks chose to install a JRZ adaptive suspension system with suspension mounts set up in the Sting’s frunk. This fully adjustable suspension system controls the rebounds and the dampening of both the front and the rear. When the car is in the streets, this system can be adjusted to deliver a more cushioned ride; similarly, when the Sting is doing track duty, the suspension can again be adjusted accordingly to deliver race-car-like driving dynamics. In addition, they also installed a nose-lift system by KW with a button near the steering wheel. When the button is pressed, the system lifts the nose of the car, making it possible to drive on roads that have a lot of ramps or bumps without scratching or denting the car’s front chin.
Photo Courtesy of Gunther Werks
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Front End
With one look at the Sting’s front, you’ll know that this car is no ordinary 993. The front track is 6 inches wider than that of the stock 993, and the Sting also features eye-catching, custom bi-LED headlights made from billet-machined aluminum with carbon fiber housings. Also apparent is the hood’s carbon fiber grain exposed by the car’s twin-stripe paint design.
Photo Courtesy of Gunther Werks
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Fierce Rear
In the rear, the Sting boasts a center-mounted dual exhaust, which is inspired by the Porsche GT3. Finishing off the track-focused look of the Sting’s rear fascia is a huge rear wing. The car’s owner chose to go with the big wing because he wants the Sting to do a lot of track duty. The wing even has in-built air scoops that force more air into the air filter.
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Interior
The attention to detail on the Sting is as apparent on the inside as it is on the outside. The entire tub is made from carbon fiber, and complementing the exposed carbon fiber trim is soft, premium Alcantara on the steering wheel, dashboard, seats, headliner, and several other places. The sport bucket seats are custom-made to fit the dimensions of the client e.g. shoulder width, etc. The gauge cluster is also custom made, with “GW” badging in the gauges. Also, like a true track-focused car, it has a roll-cage and a 5-point harness system for the sports seats with mounts welded onto the car’s frame.
Photo Courtesy of Formacar.com
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