Here is a lovely, Le Mans-inspired Porsche 992 Carrera GTS

Porsche has won Le Mans a record 19 times, and has scored 110 class wins since it started competing at La Sarthe more than 70 years ago. So it’s got a better claim than anyone to start cashing in the recent centenary edition of the race.

Step forward the 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenaire Edition, which takes its inspiration from two former winners: 1951’s 356 SL, which prevailed in the S 1.1 category, and the 911 GT1-98, which finished first and second outright in – you guessed it – 1998.

Mechanically the car is unchanged, so you can choose between a 7spd manual or 8spd PDK to go with the car’s 480hp, turbocharged six-cylinder boxer engine.

However, this is furnished with many, many Le Mans-themed badges, decals and embossed bits of interior. It also borrows the number 46 from the 356 SL, as well as its silver finish and Graphite Blue leather and corduroy accents.

Meanwhile traces of the GT1-98 can be found on the Aurum-painted rims and in the form of the red seat belts. Doubt the Centenaire Edition will hit >320km/h on the Mulsanne Straight, though.

“We are really proud to present this model today,” says Marc Meurer, Managing Director of Porsche France.

“The 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenaire Edition is the fruit of the expertise and shared passion of our teams at Porsche France, Style Porsche and Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur."

Oh yeah, that reminds us: this’ll only be sold in France. Sorry.

Perhaps if you wait long enough, someone will make a 24 Heures Du M25 special edition of… something.

STORY Joe Holding