Porsche’s new 911 GT3 Bergsport is a stick-shift, alpine-inspired special limited to just 100 cars.
The car is a limited-run project curated by Exclusive Manufaktur, designed to honor the brand’s history in the Alpine region. Production is strictly limited to Austria, France, Italy, and Switzerland, with only 100 units planned. The package is based on a GT3 Touring equipped with the lightweight package, and every unit will come with a six-speed manual transmission. This focus on the manual gearbox ensures the lasting desirability of these machines, keeping them out of the automated age.
Forged Rims and Bergspyder Details
While the standard lightweight package usually includes magnesium wheels and a rear seat delete, the Bergsport uses forged aluminum rims developed specifically for the car. Porsche claims these are more resilient to the harsh road conditions found in the Alps. The existence of the rear seats here allows customers to share the experience with more than just one passenger, making the car more practical than many expect. There is also an extended range fuel tank to help drivers cover more distance.
The unique touches include bespoke Valleygreen metallic paint, drawing hues from the region’s rocks and valleys. The forged aluminum wheels are finished in a combination of White Gold and Ceramica, aiming to recreate the look of snowy mountain peaks. The brakes feature a new orange hue that Porsche says conjures thoughts of “alpenglow,” the light produced at first and last light in the mountains. A checkered flag motif on the luggage compartment serves as a nod to the 908 Bergspyder hill climb racer.
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A History in Austria
Porsche was founded in Stuttgart in 1931, but operations moved to Gmünd, Austria in the mid-1940s. As Allied bombing raids increased, the Austrian town became a temporary home for the company until 1950. It was in Gmünd where the brand’s first sports car, the 356, was designed, engineered, and produced. Just over 52 cars were made in Austria, split between 44 coupes and eight cabriolets, and those cars remain some of the most valuable Porsches today.
The company relocated to Stuttgart proper after the war. This move marked the end of an era in Austria, where the 356 was built. That early production run in Gmünd resulted in a small number of vehicles, with 44 coupes and eight cabriolets leaving the factory.
Rolling Debut in Switzerland
The 911 GT3 Bergsport will make its rolling debut at the hands of Jörg Bergmeister during the Arosa ClassicCar hill climb in Switzerland on September 3. The event features a course of 76 corners over 4.5 miles of twisting roadways. Bergmeister is a well-known figure in the sport, and given his driving skills, the car is expected to perform well on the track. For many, that might be the last time they ever see one of these things moving under its own power unless collectors step in.
