Ever since the first spy photos with the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991) started appearing, those massive Turbo-style side air intakes have been the center of attention.

Some media outlets believed that those hardcore-looking pre-production prototypes are actually the future 911 GT2, since apart from the 911 Turbo it was the only 911 to use forced induction, and those air intakes certainly screamed “Turbo” from every angle.

Others jumped to the rather improbable conclusion that the new 911 GT3 in RS guise will feature a turbocharged flat-six – which apart from not making any sense from a budgetary point of view it would also be the first of its kind in history.

As most of you know, every single 911 GT3 model to date has featured a screaming naturally-aspirated engine and no forced induction whatsoever – that was the 911 Turbo and the 911 GT2's job.

Well, it turns out that the peeps from BridgeToGantry were lucky enough to spot a 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS prototype making rounds on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and as you can hear for yourself, there is not a shade of turbocharger whistle in the resulting footage.

In other words, a new 911 GT RS is indeed coming, and you should rest assured that it won't be turbocharged. On the other hand, it seems that the seven-speed PDK transmission from the “regular” GT3 is staying on the RS as well, so purists probably won't be 100 percent happy about the new model.

Porsche is in the final stages of development of a more hardcore version of its track-focused 911 GT3, the infamous 911 GT3 RS. The latest spy shots reveal as much of the car as ever, as Porsche hasn't bothered to do much in the way of camouflage on this track-focused screamer. The car was originally scheduled to debut this summer, but its arrival may be pushed back slightly because of Porsche’s 911 GT3 engine fire dilemma. Although a fix has been found, Porsche will likely be conducting further tests on the upcoming 911 GT3 RS variant to ensure its engine is as close to bulletproof as possible.

These are the latest spy shots of a prototype for the new GT3 RS, taken while it was conducting some high-speed tests on Germany’s Nürburgring. Spied largely undisguised, the new GT3 RS looks sinister in its all-back exterior, its aggressive aerodynamics and large fixed rear wing making it clear this 911's about business first--and that business happens at the track.

Visual differences from the standard GT3 include a slightly widened track to accommodate wider wheels and tires, a larger lip around the front spoiler, modified rear fender and bumper air extraction paths, and, of course, the much larger rear wing. The side intakes show Porsche is using the extra-wide body of its latest 911 Turbo for the new GT3 RS. It’s not clear if these will remain on the production version.

Expectations for the new GT3 RS include weight reduction, extra power and responsiveness, and an even more focused chassis tune. The current GT3 weighs just 3,152 pounds--relatively svelte for a modern car of its footprint and capability--so the GT3 RS is likely to be at or just under the 3,100-pound mark if Porsche's engineers can shave more weight through use of more carbon fiber panels, a synthetic rear window, and a somewhat more spartan cabin.

A shorter final drive ratio could bring the GT3 RS's gearing into more track-suited ranges (though it will also lower the top speed slightly). The GT3's 475-horsepower 3.8-liter may grow more powerful, as well, though it may be tuned for greater responsiveness instead, perhaps through use of lighter internal components and/or a lightened flywheel.

It's not yet known if Porsche may offer a manual gearbox in the GT3 RS. The standard GT3 doesn't offer one, though rumors persist that it may at some point come with an optional three-pedal setup. The PDK gearbox in the GT3 seems like a natural fit for Porsche's most high-tech track machine.

Performance figures for the new GT3 RS should slip just under the 3.3-second mark for the 0-60 mph sprint, and just over the 195-mph top-speed mark to optimize Nürburgring lap times--a key bragging right.

Stay tuned for a reveal later this year. Beyond the GT3 and GT3 RS, Porsche still has two more super-911 possibilities: the GT2 and GT2 RS, although it’s not clear if they’re still part of the plan because of potential competition with Porsche’s rumored mid-engine McLaren 12C and Ferrari 458 rival.

Both gain a power boost

TechArt has released more details regarding its tuning program for both the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 2014 Porsche 911 Turbo S.

While we already know some of the details about the tuned Turbo S modification, the tuning company has revealed the Turbo also gets a power boost. Thanks to the TA 091/T1 power kit, the vehicle’s performance increases by 60 PS (44 kW) to a total of 580 PS (426 kW), while torque jumps to 840 Nm (620 lb-ft) (with overboost).

0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration now takes 2.9 seconds for the coupe version and three seconds for the convertible. The Turbo coupe reaches 200 km/h (124 mph) in 9.8 seconds and has a top speed of 325 km/h (202 mph).
TechArt has also equipped the model with a special sports exhaust system with valve control, made from high quality stainless steel.

As a reminder, the more powerful Turbo S version tuned by TechArt has the same 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 620 PS (456 kW) and 880 Nm (650 lb-ft) of torque (with overboost). This enables the model to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 2.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 328 km/h (203 mph).

Show starts November 18

Motor Trend's Jonny Lieberman announced on his Twitter account Porsche will bring the 911 GTS to the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Likely slotting between the Carrera S and GT3, Porsche's upcoming 911 GTS will inaugurate the 992 codename if we were to believe Lieberman's message on the social network. Some were probably expecting the 991.2 label for Porsche's upcoming facelifted 911 range but it seems the cars will wear the 992 code.

The GTS will be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles featuring an all-wheel drive arrangement and possibly an upgraded version of the 400 PS six-cylinder 3.8-liter inside the Carrera S which will obviously offer considerably less than the 475 PS version mounted inside the GT3. In terms of aesthetics, expect restyled aprons and fenders together with unique alloy wheels and some minor interior tweaks.

The Los Angeles Auto Show will open its doors to the press on November 18 so expect more details to emerge in the next couple of months.

Few know more about building a unique Porsche 911 than renowned Porsche guy Magnus Walker, and nobody understands the evolution of the 911 Turbo better than long-time Porsche Designer Tony Hatter. Watch as they visit Boris Apenbrink, head of Porsche Exclusive’s Special Vehicles department, to appraise the new Porsche 911 Turbo S Exclusive GB Edition.

One by one, all models of Porsche's extended 911 family are going under the knife for the 991-generation's first facelift, with our spies now capturing the 911 Turbo S.

The 991 came forth to the public three years ago at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and the updated variants are expected to be gradually introduced within the next 18 months, possibly under the 992 internal codename.

Most cosmetic changes including the head- (not used on this tester) and tail-lamp revisions, newly designed door handles, and interior improvements should be common across the board, with models like the 911 Turbo S pictured here to get some unique updates like the restyled bumpers and engine cover.

While we expect Porsche to implement changes to the chassis, we're still uncertain if and how the Germans will update the 911 Turbo's 513hp (520PS) or in the Turbo S' case, 552hp (560PS), inline-six boxer engine.

Will likely be unveiled in Paris

A new report indicates the upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS has lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 20 seconds.

Porsche's highly anticipated 911 GT3 RS has apparently completed a lap of the 'Ring in 7:20 which makes it a full 13 seconds quicker than the previous generation model 997 GT3 RS (4.0 version). If this rumor turns out to be true, it means the new GT3 RS is actually only two seconds slower than the more focused 911 GT2 RS (997).

Power is believed to come from an uprated naturally-aspirated six-cylinder 3.8-liter engine outputting as much as 500 PS (368 kW) in a body that should weigh less than 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) whereas the regular GT3 has 475 PS and weighs 1,430 kg (3,152 lbs).

The diet will be possible by removing the rear seats and installing several body parts made like the roof, hood and fenders from carbon fiber reinforced polymer. In addition, the front seats could be borrowed from the 918 Spyder, Porsche's range-topping model which lapped the 'Ring in 6:57.

We will find out for sure if the lap time is true in less than three weeks as Porsche is expected to show the new 911 GT3 RS at the Paris Motor Show.

More power, less weight

Porsche has released a new video with the 911 GT3 in which they describe the most important changes the fifth generation brought.

Despite some setbacks caused by a fire prone engine, the 911 GT3 is a very desirable car and now in its fifth generation it's better than ever. In this latest feature video, Andreas Preuninger (Porsche Manager High Performance Cars) goes through some of the most important upgrades the latest model comes with such as the 10-15 percent additional downforce.

Compared to its predecessor, weight has been reduced by 30 kg (66 lbs) even though it packs new technology that makes the car quicker. At its heart is a more powerful naturally-aspirated six-cylinder 3.8-liter boxer engine revving up to 9,000 rpm and pushing out 475 PS (349 kW) & 438 Nm (324 lb-ft) of torque.

Power is sent to the wheels through a 7-speed PDK specifically designed for the 911 GT3 to provide faster accelerations and raw speed. Performances are more than impressive as the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint takes 3.5 seconds en route to a maximum speed of 195 mph (315 km/h). Porsche says the model is capable of lapping the Nürburgring Nordschleife in less than 7:30.

Developed by the same team in charge of the Cup version, the road-going GT3 comes with an active rear wheel steering system and benefits from a center-mounted dual exhaust system along with a fixed rear wing and optional LED headlights.

If this isn't impressive enough, an RS version is on its way and it will likely be unveiled in a little over two weeks at the Paris Motor Show.