Inspired by the audacious journey of a Porsche 917 on the road 50 years ago, Porsche has created the 963 RSP, a unique version of its Le Mans hypercar designed for the tarmac. Born from a partnership with racing legend Roger Penske, this project captures the essence of competition in a strikingly urban format, celebrating the brand’s history and capacity for innovation.
Unlike its racing counterpart, the 963 RSP sports an exclusive Martini Silver paint job on its carbon fiber body, instead of the traditional decals. Aesthetic and functional changes include new air vents and the removal of aerodynamic elements that are mandatory on the track. Inside, the car surprises with unexpected luxury, swapping the spartan cabin for soft leather trim, Alcantara, air conditioning and even a cup holder.
Despite the adaptations, the soul of the 963 remains intact. The chassis has been lifted and the dampers retuned for a smoother ride, while the ECU has been remapped to run on regular fuel and operate the street lights. The heart of the beast, a 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid engine with approximately 680 horsepower, has had its power delivery smoothed out, proving to be a masterpiece of engineering that perfectly balances the brutality of the track with the civility of the street.
Author: Fabio Isidoro
Founder and editor-in-chief of Canal Carro, he dedicates himself to exploring the automotive universe with depth and passion. A car and technology enthusiast, he produces technical content and in-depth analyses of national and international vehicles, combining quality information with a critical eye for the public.