Porsche 911 GT3 R rennsport is a 620PS track beast

We’ll get to that last point in a bit, but first, would you just look at the thing? It’s like Porsche dipped into an alternate universe where the 934 name was exhumed for the purposes of racing. It’s wide, with a gurning splitter, enormous arches housing gaping intakes and an unmistakable wing. Downforce figures are said to be very similar to the Porsche 911 GT3 R racer – Porsche’s GT racing competitor to take the place of the now defunct RSR – on which it’s based. There is a family resemblance in that nose.

The livery options are intended to not have an “obvious retro” vibe, but are new interpretations and blatant nods to the marque’s history. The show car for instance, has a hint of Martini in the colour way and a hint of the 98 Le Mans-winning GT1 in the way it flows, but with no specific references to either.

It’s easy to say with every special that comes out these days, and they are numerous, but this thing feels like a last-minute Hail Mary. We’re half terrified the car will shortly be accompanied by a retirement announcement from Andreas Preuninger. We probably shouldn’t joke about that…

So what have the mad scientists at Porsche motorsport been cooking up under the skin, then? Back to the engine. It’s a 4.2-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six, that produces 620PS (456kW). The difference compared to the racer? No air restrictors here, hence this thing has more power than a Carrera GT. That’s also thanks to specially-developed cams and pistons, increased compression and special tuning to maximise gains from E25 e-fuels. It’s geared at the top end, identically to the Daytona racer, and should be a hair faster at top speed than the GT3 R racer.

Okay, so what about availability? Just pop down a Porsche dealer and place an order, of course! Joking… Needless to say, Porsche has cracked open its platinum book of customers because just 77 are being made, with all of them already sold. We wonder what the criteria for consideration is. Must daily-drive a 918 and have 500km of seat time in a 917. Prices are said to be in the region of £1million.