Porsche recently launched its special-edition 911 Turbo S for the Kuwait market. Dubbed the ‘Sadu Edition’, this special release marks 70 years since the first Porsche arrived in the Middle East. Only 20 units will be produced, all personalised at the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur facility in Germany.
The new Sadu Edition of the Porsche 911 Turbo S draws inspiration from classic Kuwaiti Sadu weaving patterns while commemorating its long-standing relationship with Behbehani Motors, the German automaker’s distributor in the Kuwait market since the 1950s.
What is the Porsche 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition?
The Porsche 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition is a market-specific special edition designed for Kuwait. It has been launched in honour of Porsche’s 70th anniversary in the country and the wider Middle East.
The edition is based on the Porsche 911 Turbo S, which uses a 3.7-litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine with an estimated output of 641 BHP and torque of 800 Nm. The sports car accelerates to 100 kmph in about 2.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of about 330 kmph.
It has been limited to 20 cars, making it one of the more exclusive models among Porsche’s recent regional unveilings.
How do the features of Sadu Edition symbolise Kuwaiti culture?
The features of this special edition include elements inspired by Al Sadu, a weaving technique with deep roots in Kuwait and the Arabian Peninsula.
Porsche has incorporated these elements not only on the exterior but also in the interior. The Sadu designs can be seen on the bottom of the doors and undercarriage of the rear wing, while the custom-made upholstery and fabric inserts of the interior feature Sadu-inspired design elements and colours.
In 2020, the weaving process called Sadu was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, underscoring its cultural importance in Kuwait and the surrounding areas.
What has changed in the interior of the car?
The interior of the 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition features a two-tone Black and Bordeaux Red leather colour scheme, with GT Silver stitching elements. Also, there are exclusive seat coverings featuring Sadu-inspired patterns in Bordeaux Red, Guards Red, Black, and Silver.
Also included are the following features:
Handstitched elements of the dashboard, seats, doors, and centre console
Embroidered Arabic “70 Years” lettering on the headrests
GT sport steering wheel with contrast stitching and Bordeaux Red centre emblem
Backlit door sills inspired by the limited-edition production
Exclusive accessories, such as a key holder and wallet, for the owner’s manual
It should be noted that the Sadu Edition comes standard with a Burmester High-End Surround Sound System and Porsche’s Sports Chrono package.
What special features does the Sadu Edition have from the outside?
The car is coated in Cremewhite paint and Black high-gloss accents from the SportDesign package. Additionally, Porsche equips this edition with 20-inch front and 21-inch rear Sport Classic wheels.
There are a number of unique elements on the outside of the Sadu Edition that differentiate it from a regular 911 Turbo S, which include:
Gold badge “Turbo S Sadu Edition” on B-pillars
Sadu-inspired graphics on doors and the rear wing
Titanium sports tailpipes
Unique Design fuel filler cap
Electric glass roof
Other notable elements of this model include Porsche Ceramic Compositae Brakes (PCCB) and a front axle lift system, both designed to enhance performance on rough road surfaces.
What is important about Porsche’s presence in Kuwait?
The relationship between the two countries began in 1956, when Morad Behbehani brought his first Porsche sports car (a 356 Cabriolet) to Kuwait. This event gave rise to Behbehani Motors Company, which has been Porsche’s official dealer in the Middle East region ever since.
Over the years, Kuwait has remained a key market for the German automaker. The Sadu Edition is an embodiment of the company’s history within the region and also the rising trend of producing market-specific cars.
At the time of writing, Porsche has not released any details on the price of the Porsche 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition. Nonetheless, due to its special features and exclusivity, the car is expected to carry a premium price tag, compared with the base Porsche 911 Turbo S, which retails at around $230,000 overseas, excluding additional costs. The car will only be sold in Kuwait.
