Wild Gunther Werks Project Tornado is a 700bhp 993 Porsche 911

There’s no shortage of tweaked, modified or even ‘reimagined’ classic out there at the minute, but California-based tuner Gunther Werks clearly thinks there’s room for more and has wheeled out its new Project Tornado. 25 more to be exact as that’s how many of these aggressive-looking, carbon-bodied 993-based cars will be created.

Unveiled during the exclusive Monterey Car Week event in California, the Project Tornado receives plenty of performance upgrades as well as visual tweaks to set it apart from retro 911 creations from the likes of Singer and Theon Design. 

Starting with the 993 base, the Project Tornado gets bespoke body panels made out of carbon fibre - the only panels that aren’t carbon are the doors. As a result, the car weighs-in 165kg lighter than the original 993 Turbo at 1,225kg. 

To go with the weight reduction, there’s a large increase of power with 4.0-litre, flat-six that’s twin turbocharged and (most importantly for Porsche enthusiasts) air-cooled. Two levels of output are available thanks to a revised engine management system - 599bhp in the standard form and 700bhp in track mode. Torque is also quite substantial at 759Nm. 

Unlike the original 993 Turbo (which was the first Turbo 911 with rear-wheel drive), the Project Tornado’s power is sent to the rear wheels only through a six-speed manual transmission. To help put this power down is an electronically-controlled active suspension system with three different levels of damping. Making sure the Project Tornado stops as well as it goes are some huge Brembo brakes fitted with drilled discs. 

5

In terms of design, Gunther Werks has taken a similar approach seen last year on its Coupe and Speedster models. We can see some classic 911 touches such as the huge tail spoiler reminiscent of the 993 Turbo S, deep-dish 18-inch Fuchs-style alloys and a wide body. 

There are LED headlights up front and a bespoke, full-width light bar at the back to give the Project Tornado a more modern look. We can also see a new front splitter, larger air intakes, a vented bonnet and new rear bumper incorporating a dual-exit titanium exhaust aggressive diffuser. 

Carbon fibre and Alcantara leather adorns the interior - the bright orange exterior paint features inside too. Carbon bucket seats are probably a necessity given the amount of performance on offer - full details of which haven’t been released by Gunther Werks. The price of the Project Tornado hasn’t been revealed either, but expect it to be equally startling.

Now read our review of the Porsche 911 Sport Classic...