Porsche’s most track-capable 911 was spotted at the Nürburgring
Track days don’t get much better than when you’re behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. It’s one of the most precise, animalistic 911s you can buy, trading a standard 911s all-round versatility and refinement for peak power, performance, and precision.
Even though the GT3 RS is already at the top of its game, Porsche is not known for complacency, which is why our spies have just managed to snap a facelifted and partially camouflaged GT3 RS at the Nürburgring. At first glance, not much appears to be different, but this special 911 could be in line for its biggest update yet under the skin.
Related: WATCH: Next Year's Porsche 911 GT2 RS Will Drive Owners WIDE
Could The Naturally-Aspirated GT3 RS Be Dead Soon?
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Still part of the 992-generation 911, this facelifted GT3 RS has a very familiar shape, from its rounded headlights to the unmissable wing at the back. The deep cut-outs in the hood, bulging fenders, and large wheels are all familiar from the current model, which is already one of the quickest production cars to lap the Nürburgring.
But it’s one detail that suggests a major potential change. Above the license plate at the back, this facelifted RS has some camouflage wrapping that potentially conceals a ventilation grille. This could deliver the cooling needed for a rumored turbocharged engine.
The 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder engine in the existing RS makes 518 horsepower and revs to 9,000 rpm. It’s a huge part of what makes this car special, and there are fears that a turbo engine—even if more powerful—would diminish this 911’s character.
New exhaust outlets on the sides of the diffuser are just about visible, but these may not make it onto the final product—the current RS has dual, center-mounted tailpipes.
Related: 2023 Porsche GT3 RS First Drive: You'll need a faster track and a better gym
Is A Turbo GT3 RS A Big Deal?
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When Porsche makes major powertrain decisions, it tends to hit the nail on the head. Take the latest 911 GTS, for instance, which now has a T-Hybrid powertrain. We drove it and found the hybrid components to be largely unnoticeable; it’s still an immensely capable sports car.
The Porsche 911 Turbo is also set to undergo a massive change, with a hybrid version expected soon. Long before the hybrid switch, Porsche replaced its N/A boxer-six engines in the 718 with smaller turbo-fours, and although they don’t sound as good, they hardly spelled the end of the Boxster or Cayman.
If the rumors are true and the GT3 RS does resort to forced induction, we’re confident in Porsche’s ability to retain the magic of this track-focused 911. Turbocharging also has the potential to dramatically increase the current model’s 342 lb-ft of torque.
We’ll find out more about what secrets the GT3 RS is hiding as we get closer to a full reveal, either late this year or early next year.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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