Kalmar Automotive has unveiled the 7-97 Turbo Edition as a 650bhp, four-wheel drive tribute to the Porsche 930 Turbo. Octane was one of only two media outlets to witness the launch first-hand, in the sub-arctic region of Levi, northern Finland. Just 11 examples will be built, split between coupé and cabriolet versions.
The original Porsche 930 Turbo launched in 1975 as a homologation special to qualify the turbocharged 911 for FIA Group 4 and Group 5 racing. Just 400 were planned for homologation purposes, but huge demand encouraged Porsche to build almost 21,600 examples across a 14-year production cycle.
The 930 quickly gained a reputation as an incredibly potent machine that was tricky to drive at the limit, earning its infamous ‘Widowmaker’ sobriquet. Based on the later 993-generation 911, the 7-97 Turbo Edition nods to that legacy while bringing both performance and driveability into the 21st century.
‘For us, this ticks all the boxes and nothing is there to show off. Everything has a function,’ said Kalmar Automotive founder Jan Kalmar at the launch. ‘The lines are classic but the performance is modern.’
One clear example of Kalmar’s blend of modern performance and classic styling is its decision to base the 7-97 series on the 993 chassis. While the 993 retains the classic 911 proportions, it also brings a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension in place of the semi-trailing arm layout used on the 964 – the generation more commonly favoured by restomod firms.
The Turbo Edition’s stiffened, seam-welded 993 chassis is clothed entirely in lightweight carbon-fibre bodywork, refined using CFD to deliver improved aerodynamic balance and efficiency. A subtly reworked take on the 930’s signature whale-tail spoiler sits atop the engine lid, enhancing rear stability alongside Kalmar’s trademark rain-gutter removal and a bonded-in rear screen.
‘The only way to get a 911 to create downforce is a big rear wing,’ Jan explained. The 911 is a terrible shape, really – it was designed before anyone thought about aerodynamics. But we’ve done a lot of CFD on the car and now it actually produces downforce.’
At the front, Kalmar fuses short- and long-nose 911 cues into a hybrid design, with cooling ducts reinterpreting those of the 1967 911R. A subtly integrated splitter runs beneath the bumper, while side skirts extend along the car’s flanks. Side inlets channel air to the 650bhp engine.
‘With all the power, we’ve had to open up the intakes more,’ Jan continued. ‘But side intakes aren’t great for airflow, so we’ve also fitted big fans on the turbo intercoolers to pull the air through.’
Beneath the engine lid sits an air-cooled 3.2-litre twin-turbo Mezger flat-six, developed by French race engine specialists Lorrtec. Kalmar opted for a smaller capacity than the 993 Turbo’s 3.6-litre unit, allowing the use of smaller pistons with thicker, stronger cylinder walls to withstand the high boost of modern turbos. Reinforced pistons and connecting rods are paired with copper-beryllium head gaskets and valve seats, bespoke camshafts, and an intake system inspired by the Le Mans–winning Porsche 962 Group C racer. A drive-by-wire throttle and switchable engine maps work alongside modern traction control to enhance responsiveness and driveability. The powertrain produces up to 650bhp and more than 479lb ft of torque from 2,500rpm, while a kerbweight of just 1,200kg delivers a power-to-weight ratio of 541bhp per ton – on par with a Pagani Huayra.
All the power and torque is delivered to the road via a tweaked viscous limited-slip differential and four-wheel drive system taken from the 993 Turbo. Stopping power comes courtesy of carbon ceramic brakes at each corner, sitting behind 18-inch magnesium Fuchs-style centre-lock wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S rubber.
Kalmar has sharpened the 993 platform’s McPherson strut front and multi-link rear-suspension setup with adaptive TracTive dampers at each corner. A combination of road and racing components mean that handling can be tailored to the customer’s specific requirements.
Open the driver’s door and you’re greeted with a high-quality leather-trimmed interior that pays homage to the classic 930 while introducing modern levels of fit and finish, as well as improved safety and ergonomics. A pair of Recaro CS bucket seats with ‘Kalmar Turbo’ embroidery offer excellent support, complemented by a reupholstered 991.1 steering wheel.
This blend of classic and modern continues with the analogue gauge cluster. The second dial is now fully digitised, displaying engine settings, boost readings, suspension modes, Apple CarPlay and the rear view camera feed.
Kalmar Automotive requires each owner to tailor both the exterior and interior to their own tastes, with no two cars sharing the same specification. Options range from a stripped-out, driver-focused racer to a more luxurious grand tourer, ensuring every 7-97 Turbo Edition is truly bespoke.
The Kalmar 7-97 Turbo Edition order book is now open, though pricing has not been disclosed. For more information, click here.
