Long live the freedom of form!

“The shape of the wings is unrestricted.” These five words were set to change the world of motorsport in the 1970s. For when Porsche project manager and engineer Norbert Singer read them, he immediately realised what he could do with them. The 935. Without the classic raised wings with integrated headlights, tangible aerodynamic advantages emerged, which the 935 exploited on the racetrack: Porsche went on to win the Manufacturers’ World Championship four times in a row with it. The 935 dominated the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona on several occasions. At Le Mans, it emerged as the class winner. And the 935/78, the most powerful model in the series with 845 PS, dominated at Silverstone with a lead of seven laps and was nicknamed ‘Moby Dick’ due to its long rear fin.

So much for its origins.

Back to the present.

Taking a 911 GT2 RS (Type 991.2) with the Weissach Package, built in 2018, Porsche has now created an uncompromising, bespoke factory-built one-off with road approval that brings the concept of the ‘Flachbau’ into the present day. The vehicle’s trademarked name: Flachbau RS. The inspiration: a customer request submitted to Porsche in September 2021. It read as follows: “Please provide even more performance and a ‘Flachbau’ look, combined with a rear wing in the style of the 911 GT3 R racing car.” Following the signing of the concept agreement between the customer and Porsche Sonderwunsch in April 2023, a road-legal, one-off factory-built car was created in collaboration with Manthey. Painted in Grand Prix White and featuring newly shaped wings as well as a striking, U-shaped contrasting element on the bonnet.

“Many tuners tend to focus purely on horsepower figures when faced with a task like this,” says Manuel Ali-Tani, the customer advisor in charge of the special requests team. “We deliberately chose not to do that.” Instead, the development project focused on weight reduction: “In total, we were able to remove 31.6 kilograms,” says Ali-Tani – as well as a targeted aerodynamic design. In detail: at the front, a new, two-piece front end made entirely of carbon fibre was created, which transitions from the lower base section via an insert into the characteristic horseshoe shape, historically inspired by the old 935 – an explicit customer request. The front wings have also been completely redesigned and lowered as far as possible; they too are made of multiple carbon fibre sections, bonded rather than bolted together. They feature slotted air outlets. These so-called ‘louvres’ ventilate the wheel arches and reduce dynamic pressure. Discreet black flaps from Manthey emphasise the aerodynamic performance of the front end.

At the rear is the new wing with curved mounts, adjustable to three positions. In the maximum downforce setting, the Flachbau RS outperforms the aerodynamic figures of the GT2 RS with the Manthey kit, delivering two per cent more downforce whilst reducing drag by one per cent. A new boot lid, a new grille and the ‘Flachbau RS’ lettering complete the look. The car is painted in Grand Prix White, a historically significant colour which the team gradually fine-tuned to the customer’s specifications over the course of seven to eight paint samples, to ensure maximum contrast with the exposed carbon fibre and the matt black parts.

And the interior? It has been thoroughly stripped back to the bare essentials. The Porsche Communication Management (PCM) has been removed, as have all components of the audio system, sound-deadening panelling and floor coverings in the cabin and boot. Instead, many parts now feature a race-car-style, minimalist metal finish in Grand Prix White. Where the bodywork edges are exposed, carbon fibre trim, an extended B-pillar trim and an extended armrest conceal the sharp transitions, for both aesthetic and safety reasons.

The car was, however, granted one luxury when it came to weight: Inside, a gold plaque bears the year of manufacture, 2026, and the name Flachbau RS – just like every other Factory On-Off that leaves the Porsche Sonderwunsch workshop. Because one thing is clear: “There will never be another vehicle exactly like this one,” emphasises Ali-Tani. After all, the original, the 935/78 “Moby Dick”, is also a one-off.