Pascha Pattern Is Back — New Porsche 911 Spirit 70

A new Porsche 911 variant is always intriguing, even if it seems like another comes along on a monthly basis of late. The latest addition is a nostalgic design special, following on from the Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition and the Sport Classic. Named Spirit 70, it marks 70 years of Porsche with a few nods to the psychedelic styling of the '70s and early '80s.

1,500 will be produced worldwide, based on the hybrid 992.2 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, so that means plenty of punch (541hp and 610Nm), and dynamically it's the same story too. So, what's different? Well, most obviously is a new paint colour exclusive to the Spirit 70 called Olive Neo. Black and GT Silver are also available, but Porsche understandably expects the majority to be specced in the new shade for the full '70s effect. Another new colour called Bronzite is used for parts of the front and rear bumper and Fuchs inspired centre-lock wheels from the Sport Classic.

The windscreen frame is black, but much more in your face than that are the unique stripes which read '911' on the bonnet and carry on across the soft top. Down the side is the Porsche script and number roundel. I suspect the meeting to decide on the decals went as follows: "Which decals should we use on this model?".... "YES!". As even more of a nod to a bygone era, even the Porsche crest on the bonnet is said to be modelled after the one worn by the brand's early models. Finishing touches like the Porsche script and model designation on the rear, as well as the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur badges behind the front wheels, are all finished in gold — because '70s.

If you usually get in your car and then put on your sunglasses, you might want to rethink the order you do that in if you get one of these. Porsche has gone all out with the interior, mimicking the exterior's Olive Neo hue in the bold Pascha pattern from the likes of the 928. Even the inside of the glove box and boot floor are finished in Pascha, and the seat backs and dashboard trim can also be optioned in the same pattern to make every journey extra trippy. The instrument dials are said to be inspired by an earlier era, with green digits from the 356, although programming a digital display doesn't have quite the same effect as a bespoke set of dials, if you ask me, but maybe I'm just grumpy and old fashioned!

Finally, Porsche is offering a new app for the Apple Vision Pro, which "allows users to immerse themselves in the 70s and design their dream vehicle".

In the UK, the 911 Spirit 70 starts at £187,700, so quite expectedly, it ain't cheap, but if you're a Porsche nut who wants a vibrant nod to the brand's history with modern performance and tech, the Spirit 70 is something unique. Let's hope we see some out on the road looking bright, rather than just changing hands to aid people's hope of getting the next GT model!