Porsche 911 GT3 RS

An eagle-eyed German car enthusiast has revealed Porsche’s next hardcore 911 via Instagram. Thanks to social media, user johan9ff (clearly a Porsche fan; 9ff is a wellknown 911 tuner) was able to share this completely undisguised GT3 RS prototype with the world.

Few details have been confirmed about the latest version of MOTOR’s 2010 Performance Car of the Year, but the photos reveal plenty about Weissach’s latest road racer. Most obvious is the incredibly aggressive aero package the car wears.

As well that monster rear wing, which looks like almost a straight lift from the 991 Cup Car, there are cheese grater-like air extraction vents atop the front guards and a subtle channel carved into both the bonnet and roof, the latter now sporting a ‘double bubble’ arrangement to provide clearance for helmeted passengers.

Porsche’s head of research and development, Wolfgang Hatz, recently solved one of the biggest puzzles surrounding the specification of the RS by confirming it will debut a new naturally-aspirated flat-six engine. While he wouldn’t be drawn on power figures, we’d expect around 375kW.

Porsche’s seven-speed PDK dual-clutch ’box is standard, with paddles clearly visible in the prototype, mounted behind a steering wheel lifted from the 918 Spyder. Surprisingly, Hatz also stated that Porsche hasn’t ruled out offering a manual gearbox as an option later in the car’s life cycle.

The chassis will be sharper and stiffer than the regular GT3, with all the various race circuit addenda cage, fire extinguisher, harnesses fitted standard. “The 991 GT3 was very much a surprise for everyone because it’s really usable for everyday,” said Hatz. “The GT3 RS will be more extreme.”

The RS’s extra speed will come from both the increase in downforce courtesy of that wild aero and a reduction in weight expect it to come in around 1380kg, 50kg less than the standard GT3.

The new 911 GT3 RS will debut at March’s Geneva Motor Show.