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Two weeks ago, we revealed that Porsche was rumoured to be building a modern day 911 R using the 991 GT3 as a platform. Today, those rumours were confirmed as Total 911 spies caught a glimpse of the car while out testing.
It may currently look like a de-winged first generation 991 GT3 at the moment but, wearing Ludwigsburg-registered number plates like many of Porsche’s test mules, these photos are proof that Weissach is seriously evaluating a new addition to the neunelfer range.
The fact that Porsche is testing a barely modified 991 GT3 appears to confirm that the 911 R will get the 9,000rpm-redlined 9A1 flat six. Despite the 991 Carrera GTS decklid, rumours now suggest that the ‘R’ could wear a ducktail come its debut in Geneva.
As previously explained, while using the GT3’s high-revving engine, the 911 R will utilise a manual gearbox and will feature more weight-saving than Andreas Preuninger’s acclaimed neunelfer in a bid to appeal to ‘purists’.
Unlike this test mule, the finished 911 R will undoubtedly feature styling cues from the new 991.2, including the 3D effect brake lights and updated front light signature when it is officially released in March 2016.
Total 911 understands that official Porsche Centres are already receiving letters of intent for the Porsche 991 R, with rumours continuing to circulate that this will be a limited edition car in the mould of the iconic 997 GT3 RS 4.0.
Porsche's anticipated 911R will be official unveiled at this week's Geneva Motor Show – but pictures leaked online having given fans a sneak preview.
The images, which were first published on a Dutch Porsche enthusiast blog, detail the car inside and out. There are also some technical specifications given.
According to the blog, the 911R is essentially a 911 GT3 sans wings but with some unique additions. In the back sits the same 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine with 493bhp and 458Nm of torque, though unlike the GT3, it sends power to the rear wheels through a manual gearbox, foregoing the paddle-operated PDK setup that now dominates the 911 range.
"That should be a timely tonic for Porsche purists who've had their noses put out of joint by the recent move to turbocharging and PDK automatics," says Auto Express.
As for looks, the 911R wears a similar bodykit to the GT3, with largely the same bumpers, the same central twin-exit exhaust setup at the back and identical centre-lock alloy wheels. But it loses the rear wing and some other aerodynamic aids, while the red stripes running from the bonnet to the engine hatch and the Porsche graphics down the side are new.
Given the original placed an emphasis on lightness and used fibreglass-reinforced plastic panels for much of its bodywork, plenty of weight-saving measures could be on the cards, further strengthening the 911R's credentials as a pure driver's car.
Carscoops adds that details remain scarce, though, and it's not clear if it will be a limited edition model or set for a full production run. All will be revealed in Geneva.
According to Autocar, the 911R has been created for a 2017 release to pay homage to its 1967 namesake as a 50th anniversary celebration. The new car will place an emphasis on "simple driving pleasure", focusing purely on driver interaction, feedback and feel and not competitive lap-times.
Seems like an awesome car. And the old R is one of the coolest 911s ever. Understated and light, it was a real sleeper, compared to the more popular RS. They definitely got the paint job down on the new one. I only wish they would forego all of the vents everywhere, get rid of the grill and do an updated R treatment of the taillights. Cool car nonetheless, I only hope that the people who were able to ****** them up actually drive them!
Only 991 will be sold so none of us would have a chance. Not to hard to bump a GTS to near same specs for way less, plus no dumbass stripes.
I'd take this instead all day long-
Seems P AG is doing exactly what they did in the early 2000's - Capitalizing on their Name.
Capitalizing Corporations = Profit. Period.
Liability often follows short term thinking.
Seems only Friends get the Option or 918 Buyers.
A car for the Purists>? I think Not.
Limited Number - how do the purists obtain and further the Brand?
Where does Rear Wheel Steering enter the purists conversation - Seems AG IS Confused.
An Oppurtunity Knocks for some serious Marketing.
An Oppurtunity to Offer something Unique and In Tradition
To produce and Coddle some Serious Love for the Brand
the true Followers! The Purists.
A 50 Year Anniversary and what 500 -1000 cars>?
There is an Example of Smart Marketing.
Maybe Porsche AG did not want to actually build anything?
Or is the VW Nonsense Dragging like a boat Anchor at Sea?
Perhaps the Board are at one another. Or is it my Net Worth is Shrinking, Shrinking....
I am sinking, I am Sinking glub glub glub....
Anyways, the Speculators that r buying 997 And 991 GT3 RS r going to take a Bath!!
Why?
"This is a car that is about so much more than the numbers"
Is AP Nervous or does he usually come off this way on an Intro?
What he did do is introduce a car after "Listening to Calls from the 996 and 997 Following" with a Manual transmission.
He also said we will Listen."
Well now,R u Listening AP ?
Not all Purists are Track Rats even if Racing is or is not in their Blood
Thank You AP for the Manual gearbox.
So much for the 997 / 991 GT3 $ Greed ooops Speculation !
can u hear me?
Last edited by TJ993; 03-02-2016 at 10:05 AM.
Reason: typo
Don't be concerned, they'll release a new R next year with the twin turbo motor but they'll call it an S and then they'll call the S the Carrera and the Carrera the Cayman and the 718 the 914 and so on and so forth until we're all driving Audi's...
Don't be concerned, they'll release a new R next year with the twin turbo motor but they'll call it an S and then they'll call the S the Carrera and the Carrera the Cayman and the 718 the 914 and so on and so forth until we're all driving Audi's...
10-29-2015 | 05:38 PM
