The automotive and horological worlds collide in a spectacular fashion with the unveiling of the bespoke Porsche 718 GT4 RS Panamericana Special, a striking collaboration between Porsche and Tag Heuer. Revealed amidst the automotive aficionados at the Rennsport Reunion held at Laguna Seca, this unique GT4 RS pays homage to a storied chapter in Porsche’s racing history – the legendary Carrera Panamericana of 70 years ago, where the iconic Porsche 550 Coupes battled through a grueling 2,100-mile rally across Mexico. Much like its inspiration, this special edition GT4 RS will also be produced in an extremely limited quantity of just two units, with one proudly bearing the number 154, while the other is adorned with the number 152.
While the powertrain and essential mechanical components remain identical to the standard GT4 RS, Porsche’s Sonderwunsch team has woven a distinct visual narrative for these two exceptional vehicles. The exterior starts with the Le Mans Silver Metallic paint, a shade previously reserved for the 911 Carrera GTS Le Mans Centenaire Edition. This color envelops many previously unpainted elements of the GT4 RS, imparting it with a unique and more monochromatic aesthetic. Furthermore, the prominent Tag Heuer logo graces the hood and side blades of the wing, elegantly finished in gray. The Tag Heuer emblem also finds its place on the wheel caps and the engine’s air filter box. The Pegasus logo, reminiscent of Mobil Oil’s historical sponsorship, adds a nostalgic touch to the car. Porsche even plans to offer this Pegasus logo as a sticker for those who wish to adorn their own vehicles with a piece of racing history.
But why the prominent Tag Heuer presence? The answer lies in the 60th anniversary of the Carrera chronograph, a milestone inspired by the grueling challenges of the Carrera Panamericana and Jack Heuer’s determination to craft the first Carrera chronograph. Over the years, Porsche and Tag Heuer have forged a strong partnership, and this collaboration solidifies their shared commitment to excellence.
Inside the GT4 RS Panamericana Special, Porsche showcases a masterful blend of Guards Red leather and black-finished anodized aluminum, creating a striking visual contrast. However, the interior’s pièce de résistance is the Tag Heuer stopwatch module embedded in the center console. The left clock serves as a conventional timepiece, displaying the hours and minutes, while the right clock functions as a stopwatch, perfect for rally timing. The interior is adorned with Tag Heuer-themed colors and logos, with stitching in green, white, and red. “GT4 RS Panamericana Special” is meticulously milled into the door sills, and the Tag Heuer logo is elegantly embossed on the armrest. The Carrera Panamericana logo and text grace the headrests, and even the valve stem caps bear the iconic driving cap logo.
To add a touch of star power to this spectacular unveiling, Patrick Dempsey, a well-known actor and racing enthusiast, will be piloting the number 154 car in the first two stages of this year’s Carrera Panamericana. As for the number 152 car, it will be unveiled at this prestigious event and subsequently auctioned off for charity, providing one fortunate enthusiast with the opportunity to own this special GT4 RS.
