The photos, which were recently snapped by a member of the Rennlist forum, show a trio of 991 GT3 RS test vehicle that look production-ready - as it often happens in the jungle, the trio was hunted while they were trying to get a quick sip of the petrol river.
While many GT3 drive their Zuffenhausen machines everyday, the RS will be a track-obsessed machine that shall make little concession to the street part of the driving.
The styling differences are truly serious in Porsche terms
Compared to the GT3, which we refuse to call "standard", there are some rather serious aerodynamic tweaks. First of all the ride height seems even lower, which raises an important question - will Porsche introduce an optional front end lift kit or will the extra weight of the system determine the Germans to leave this out? Judging by the microscopic distance between the front lip spoiler and the tarmac, our money are on the first version.
The test vehicles featured 20-inch wheels up front and 21-inch rear rollers. As for the overall appearance, what we've been shown in the patent images or via the scale model (bonus: Java Orange launch color) seems 100 percent accurate.
The we have the massive wing at the rear, which appears to incorporate a ducktail spoiler at its base. The 911 has always been about its rear end and it looks like the GT3 RS will borrow the 911 Turbo's extra-extra wide posterior, as the GT3 comes with the rear end of the Carrera 4 models, which is just extra wide compared to a Carrera 2, for instance.
Speaking of aerodynamics, it seems the wider tracks (front and rear) have generated a high speed front end lift side effect, which determined Porsche to install those fender vents everybody is talking about - these evacuate air buildup in the front wheel wells.
With its oversized aero package, the GT3 RS enjoys all the downforce it needs, but it will obviously also generate more drag compared to the GT3. For instance, this could "compensate" for the increased torque and keep top speed at the same level of 315 km/h (196 mph). Porsche wouldn't want the 911 Turbo S' 318 km/h (198 mph) top velocity to be beaten anyway.
Now about that extra oomph
When it came to the previous 997 generation, Porsche introduced a 435 hp GT3, a 450 hp GT3 RS and finally enlarged that flat six at the back by 0.2 liters to give us the 500 hp GT3 RS 4.0.
With the current model, the track special is expected to go straight from the current 475 hp 3.8-liter GT3 to the GT3 RS, which should pack a 515 hp 4.0-liter boxer.
Interestingly enough, the man who spotted the prototypes said one of them was more vocal that the other two, so we could expect a sports exhaust option.
The 3.3 kg/hp GT3 is already dangerously close to the 3kg/hp 911 Turbo S in terms of performance. The output premium and the mandatory diet of the GT3 RS may just even out that difference. The GT3 already beats the Turbo S on the 'Ring and since we mentioned this, we have to tell you the latest rumor rmill telemetry places the 911 GT3 RS at just under 7:15
If we were the Ferrari 458 Speciale, we'd be pretty worried right now, especially since the Porsche 911 GT3 RS will come with a less bank account-blowing price. Rumor has it the Geneva Motor Show 2015 will tell.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS Spotted Testing in Swedish Winter, 515 HP 4.0L Engine Expected - photo gallery
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