A 2023 Porsche Carrera RS looks to be in the works, along with a 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS, as the German sports car company celebrates the 50th anniversary of the RS badge next year.
While a 911 prototype has been spotted testing with a ducktail rear spoiler and Fuchs-style wheels over the past year, many have assumed Porsche was working on a new Sport Classic.
A report from MotorTrend in November 2021 raised the prospect of Porsche offering a 911 RS, being based on the all-wheel-drive 911 Turbo S – but instead offering the car with rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission.
Spy videos dating back to 2020 back the claim, with what appears to be a 911 Turbo S with a ducktail spoiler testing at the Nurburgring, and what sounds like gears being changed manually by the test driver.
However, more recently a prototype has been seen testing based on what appears to be a 911 Carrera body and a ducktail rear spoiler, meaning a Sport Classic similar to the 997.2 version can’t be ruled out.
According to a February report from The Supercar Blog, Porsche is also planning a soft-top version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, to be named the 718 Spyder RS.
While earlier iterations of the Spyder were somewhat softer versions of the Cayman GT4, the new Spyder RS is said to be a ‘true’ RS model, retaining the GT4’s 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine shared with the 911 GT3.
The Spyder RS will also borrow the GT4 RS’s dual-clutch transmission, upgraded chassis, Bilstein shock absorbers, and 20-inch centerlock alloy wheels.
With the European Union set to introduce strict Euro 7 emissions laws from 2025, it seems Porsche has given its engineers carte blanche to create the high-performance cars of their dreams.
Speaking to MOTOR in February, Porsche GT boss Andreas Preuninger said there was scope to expand the 718 and 992 line-ups with some special models.
“I think we pretty much spread out pretty good through the two sports car ranges (718 Cayman and Boxster, and 911) that we have with all the derivatives now opening up with the Touring as the driver’s car side, and we have some more ideas for the future to come to even expand that a little bit, but stay true to the core,” Preuninger said at the time.
“Make it a motorsport product with motorsport technology. If not for the racer, then for the absolute diehard, enthusiast, and purist lover.
“So this is what GT is about, so we don’t want to soften that up too much.”
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Keyword: 2023 Porsche 911 Carrera RS and 718 Spyder RS rumoured