First Look: 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America

According to folklore, one of the first — if not the first — collectible Porsches was the “America” version of Ferdinand’s 356. As legend has it, Max Hoffman, Porsche’s original North American importer, wanted something a little sportier and a little faster for his Yankee clients so he could compete with Jaguar and Austin-Healey that were then the rage. Limited to the company’s 70-hp 1,480-cc Boxer four, Porsche’s solution was the ultra-lightweight 1952 America Roadster, essentially the 356 shorn of everything but the bare essentials and its body replicated with a lighter-than-steel aluminum body (by famed coachworks Glaser-Heuer). Legend is a little squiggy on exactly how many Americas were produced. According to supercars.net, Stuttgart pumped out 20 Al-bodied Americas and one steel-bodied version. Officially, Porsche says there were only 16. Whoever’s right is inconsequential compared to the real import of the often-forgotten America — that one steel-bodied version of the America “inspired” Speedster we all know and love today.

Forty years later, Porsche then commemorated the entire event with the 1992 911 America Roadster. Like the original, this America too got a special body. Unlike that original, however, the ’92 version didn’t get one-off bodywork, but was instead a Carrera Roadster with a 911 Turbo body (rear fenders and trunk line), as well as brakes, suspension, and wheels. It too was rare; only 250 examples of the 964-series America were produced.

first look: 2022 porsche 911 carrera gts cabriolet america

2022 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Photo by Porsche

Thirty years later, the America returns, this time based on the 911 Carrera GTS Cabrio. Unfortunately, there’s no new bodywork. But there is some snazzy new paint, the 992-bodywork clothed in a special-to-the-America Azure Blue 356 paint, and its window shield is finished in satin black (the better to emulate the thin A-pillars of yore say Porsche boffins). The wheels, again, are unique to the America are hand-painted white with silver and Guards Red accents while, along the doors, there are decals in white with red accents that read “America.”

The same theme continues inside with Guards Red and Pebble Grey stitching throughout the monochromatic black interior. The upper dashboard and door panels feature the unique highlights. Ditto the centre console and the seatbelts are also clothed bright red. You can continue the theme with an extended interior package that, well, extends all that stitching to the seats, headrest, and floormats. Even the key fob gets in on the deal, the key itself painted in the Azure Blue while its pouch gets the Guards Red/Pebble Grey stitching.

2022 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America Photo by Porsche

So, what’s the bottom line on this latest America? Well, the good news is that production is severely limited. Only 100 units will make their way to the United States, just 15 more to Canada. The bad news is that the base version will cost some $206,190 while the “extended’ version will up the ante to $214,750. You can get essentially the same car for $165,300 if you can do without the fancy doo-dads. Porscheophiles will say that level of exclusivity is worth the $40,890. Those with a more frugal outlook on life — that should be read saner — will see a fancy paint job and wheels (and let’s not forget the stitching) that cost as much as a pretty well-equipped Toyota RAV4. A Hybrid XSE AWD no less.

But it has always been thus. The monied class actually prides itself on not getting real value for its customization and why shouldn’t Porsche indulge them. This much you can count on. When the 2023 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America goes “live” on June 12^th, it’ll be sold out in a minute.

Keyword: First Look: 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet America

Porsche

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

OTHER CAR NEWS