LEAKED: 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Breaks Cover With More Power

This is Porsche's most powerful naturally aspirated 911 road car to date—but you weren’t supposed to see it quite yet.

Last year, the 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS generated plenty of publicity thanks to its record-breaking Nurburgring lap time, but don’t think Porsche has forgotten about the GT3 RS. To ensure the 991.2 generation goes out with a bang before the new 992-generation 911 arrives, Porsche is preparing to unleash an updated version of the hardcore GT3 RS for 2018. It seems an official reveal is imminent as Australian publication Drive has posted the first official images and details for the 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

Presumably, someone at Porsche wasn’t happy with Drive’s report as it has since been taken down. But it was too late, as other sites like Motor Authority saved all the images and lifted the juicy details. As you’d expect, the exterior of 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been upgraded with a more aggressive front fascia matching the recently updated 911 GT3, which takes its design cues from the 911 GT3 Cup race car. The rear has also been updated with the latest 911’s taillights and a massive wing. According to the report, the 2018 GT3 RS will retain its 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated engine, which has been massaged to deliver an extra 20 ponies.

This has resulted in a total output of 520 horsepower, making the 2018 GT3 RS the most powerful naturally aspirated Porsche road car to date. This performance boost was achieved by cranking the revs up a to 9,000 rpm redline. As a result, 0-62 mph now takes 3.2 seconds in the 2018 GT3 RS, shaving a tenth of a second off last year’s model. Porsche has also tweaked the car’s rear-wheel steering system and has added new aerodynamic elements, including a custom hood with two small NACA-styled ducts, a reshaped front bumper with different ducts to optimize airflow, and a modified rear bumper with larger air extraction ducts.

The 2018 GT3 RS also rides on 20-inch wheels at the front and 21 inchers at the back, wrapped in 265/35 and 325/30 tires, respectively. For some extra coin, you can buy the 2018 GT3 RS with an optional Clubsport package, which includes six-point seat belts, a fire extinguisher, and an aluminum roll cage. Inside, nylon opening loops on the grace lightweight door panels, racing seats are composed of carbon fiber shells, and sound absorption material is stripped out to reduce weight. As previous reports suggested, the 2018 GT3 RS will only be sold with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, unlike the GT3, which can be had with a six-speed manual.

If you really want a manual version, the guys at BGB Motorsports will likely you one eventually. The 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is expected to make its world debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but this leak has almost guaranteed an earlier online reveal.

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