Porsche may be preparing to resurrect one of its most distinctive and polarizing designs: the 911 Slantnose. Recent trademark filings with the European Union Intellectual Property Office for “Porsche Flachbau” and “Flachbau RS” have sparked speculation that a new iteration of the flat-nosed 911 could soon make its debut.
The term “Flachbau,” which translates from German as “flat build,” refers to the unique front-end styling inspired by Porsche’s 935 race cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s. These vehicles eliminated the 911’s iconic round headlights in favor of a sleeker, sloped nose, initially developed for racing aerodynamics.
A handful of factory-built road cars were offered with this look under Porsche’s Sonderwunsch (Special Wishes) program starting in 1986, transforming standard 930 Turbos into head-turning rarities. The conversion nearly doubled the car’s cost, but enthusiasts with deep pockets embraced the exotic design. Fewer than 1,000 authentic factory Slantnose cars were produced globally, with only about 160 reaching the U.S. market.
While Porsche has remained tight-lipped about future products, the dual trademark filings suggest more than a casual nod to the past. The inclusion of the term “RS,” typically reserved for Porsche’s most track-focused variants, hints that the potential revival could be more than just a visual homage.
Industry analysts suggest a limited-edition 911 Turbo or GT2 variant could emerge wearing updated Flachbau styling, possibly with lightweight construction and motorsports engineering. The modern interpretation could echo Porsche’s recent track-ready reinterpretation of the 935, a vehicle that similarly paid tribute to the brand’s endurance racing legacy.
For now, the filings remain just that—paperwork. But with interest in heritage-inspired models at an all-time high, Porsche’s move has the automotive world watching closely.