2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Specs Leak

2014 Porsche 911 GT3 (Credit: © Porsche)

You’ve gotta love leaked information, especially when it is about a hotly anticipated performance rig like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. The folks over at Axis of Oversteer apparently got their hands on what some are claiming to be official specifications for the upcoming GT3 4.0 RS, and they reveal that the new 911 will be as awesome as expected.

The bit everyone is waiting for is likely the most disappointing, as the 4.0-liter six-cylinder engine will reportedly produce 500 horsepower and 399 pound-feet of torque. Sure, that is a modest increase of only 25 ponies and 15 pound-feet over the GT3, but keep in mind that the RS 4.0 will also go on a serious diet of lightweight materials.

The rear lid is crafted from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, as are the rear wing, luggage compartment lid, front wings, the bucket seats, dashboard, and center console. Aluminum is the material of choice for the air intakes, while magnesium makes up the roof. Lightweight rear and front side windows made from polycarbonate round out the weight-saving measures over the GT3.

Handling is also massive for the GT3 RS 4.0, and Porsche embraces this with a 36 mm wider track, 9.5-by-20-inch front wheels, and 12.5-by-21-inch rear wheels. To help cover this wider track, Porsche widened the GT3 RS 4.0’s body by 50 mm up front and 30 mm on the rear.

The cabin also gets its fair share of changes. The GT3 RS 4.0 adds to the GT3 with aforementioned carbon-fiber front bucket seats, GT3 RS-embroidered headrests, a GT3 RS logo on the tachometer, a GT3 RS sports steering wheel, lightweight door panels with pull straps, and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic “GT3 RS” inserts on the sill plates.

For those in the mood for some serious racing, the GT3 RS also has a Clubsport option. This optional package adds in a bolted roll cage in the rear, a battery-disconnect switch, a six-point driver’s seat belt, and a motorsports hand fire extinguisher.

Since these details remain unconfirmed for now, I’ll file this report in the “likely, but still possible hogwash” file. We’ll find out soon enough just how accurate this report is, as Porsche will launch the GT3 RS in March 2015.