An even wilder Porsche 911 is in the works.
Our spy photographers have snapped what looks like a 911 GT3 RS during testing – but rather than angry naturally aspirated noises, it was making angry turbocharged noises.
Generally, the combination of a motorsports Porsche and a powerful turbocharged engine means a new GT2 RS is imminent.
Intercoolers are visible through the side air intakes, and the diffuser and exhaust setup down back looks different to what we’ve seen on naturally aspirated motorsports Porsche models.
When it does launch, the GT2 RS could feature hybrid power.
Sources have told Autocar the GT2 RS will be the first 911 to pack a hybrid drivetrain – and could use the same type of technology employed by the 919 Hybrid that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as its 963 LMDh successor.
At this stage it seems as though the GT2 RS hybrid will have a twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre flat-six engine at its core.
If current prototypes are anything to go by, the turbocharged boxer-six will be aided by an electric motor built into the rear-mounted gearbox and connected to a lithium-ion battery pack nestled low behind the front seats.
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Real exhaust highlighted
To keep weight down, the lithium-ion battery will be part of a 400V electrical system and have a relatively small capacity, meaning the GT2 RS won’t be a plug-in hybrid.
Instead, most of the charging will be via regenerative braking. There might also be a small turbine within the exhaust to generate some electricity during acceleration.
Further weight savings will come from the battery pack being air cooled. A patent filing suggests air from the electric turbo could be used to keep the battery from overheating.
It’s said the 911 GT2 RS hybrid will be able to manage a small amount of driving on electric power alone, but the main focus of the electric addition to drivetrain will be performance.
The new hybrid drivetrain is said to develop “significantly more power” than the 991-generation GT2 RS, which had a 3.8-litre twin-turbo six-pot boasting 515kW at 7000rpm, and 750Nm between 2500 and 4500rpm.
The engine drove the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission.
MORE: Everything Porsche 911
