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2017 Porsche 911 R Spied for the First Time, GT3 Engine with a Manual

Those of us longing for a third pedal in the 911 GT3 can now be relieved. The rumors about Porsche developing a back-to-basics 911 with a naturally aspirated engine and a manual have now materialized - here are the first spyshots of the machine.
2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots 14 photos
Photo: CarPix
2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots2017 Porsche 911 R spyshots
While nothing is official yet, Porsche is said to be on its way to reviving the 911 R badge for this edition of the Neunelfer.

This is a nod to a 911 model that was born back in 1973, as required by sports car homologation rules. The special 911 followed the classic more power and less weight recipe, with Porsche having only built 23 units of the car. While those trade hands for extreme prices these days, here’s to hoping Zuffenhausen will be more generous with the contemporary incarnation of the machine.

The 911 R is expected to be motivated by the GT3’s 3.8-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six, which should bring us a 475 hp output. And while the cameras don’t take us inside the car, expect a manual to populate the center console.

Despite the prototype packing a front apron borrowed from the GT3, the massive wing at the back is gone. Certain rumors suggested Porsche would replace this with a ducktail, but that may not be the case.

Nevertheless, one big question that remains unanswered for the moment is whether the GT3’s rear-axle steering will migrate to the R. Given the fact that this feature can now be ordered on the Carrera S, we expect the answer to be positive.

The prototype sports a diffuser at its back, so German engineers might be planning to sort the aero balance in this fashion instead of using a wing. This would allow that retro-styled engine cover to dominate the upper rear end.

Porsche is expected to bring us the 911 R late next year, or in early 2017, but we’ll definitely see more of its wingless profile by then.
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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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