One Individual Acquired a New Porsche Hypercar That No One Else Will Ever Own | Carscoops

      The unique Porsche 963 RSP was created for American businessman, former racing driver, and current team owner Roger S. Penske.

      12 hours ago

      by Thanos Pappas

      Porsche has converted the 963 LMDh race car into a unique, street-legal hypercar.

      Only minimal modifications were made, taking cues from the iconic 1975 Count Rossi 917.

      The 963 RSP showcases a Martini Silver exterior paired with a tan leather and Alcantara interior.

      The hybrid hypercar era hasn’t yet produced a worthy successor to the Porsche 918 Spyder, particularly one that can compete with the likes of the McLaren P1 or Ferrari F80. As we anticipate the emergence of a new "holy trinity," an unexpected development has arisen: a street-legal version of the Porsche 963 LMDh race car, which has triumphed in both IMSA and WEC championships.

      It's named the 963 RSP, and before you grab your wallet, it’s essential to know that it is a one-off model. Unlike the homologation special 911 GT1 Strassenversion, there’s only one available. The concept originated from Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America, who envisioned it as a homage to the Count Rossi 917, the legendary race car that was made street-legal fifty years ago.

      A Tribute with Heritage

      If you're curious about what RSP signifies, those initials stand for Roger S. Penske. That's right, the 88-year-old billionaire and former racing driver who owns Team Penske, which operates Porsche’s 963s in IMSA and WEC. He was effectively “nominated as the customer for the car,” meaning that contributing to Porsche's championship successes earns you exclusive rewards.

      Making a Race Car Suitable for the Road

      The design guideline was straightforward: maintain as much of the race car's essence as possible while incorporating elements from the Count Rossi 917. The bodywork, constructed from carbon fiber and Kevlar, retains the original silhouette but has additional coverage over the wheel arches. Certain exterior features distinguish it, such as new fender vents, a modified rear wing without blanking plates, and a proper enamel Porsche crest at the front.

      In contrast to its racing counterparts adorned with racing liveries, the 963 RSP is finished in a distinctive Martini Silver hue, elegantly complemented by several satin black details.

      Upon entering, it’s immediately apparent that this is not just a basic race car. The interior is draped in tan leather and Alcantara, another nod to the Count Rossi vehicle. The carbon seats are borrowed directly from the race version but enhanced with bespoke upholstery, fixed headrests, and substantial cushioning. The footwells and headliner are also trimmed in Alcantara, while the steering wheel and door panels are covered in leather.

      Creature comforts are understandably minimal. It includes a detachable 3D-printed cupholder and a small panel adjacent to the driver’s seat, which Porsche recommends using for a laptop, helmet, or detachable steering wheel. Even the air vents are specially designed, mirroring the fan blades of the 917’s engine. Finally, an alloy plaque is affixed to the door displaying the vehicle's chassis number along with its construction date and location.

      And because no Porsche homage is complete without accessories, the vehicle comes with a custom-painted helmet and a Snap-On toolset featuring leather-wrapped handles.

      A Tamed Yet Still Ferocious Beast

      The one-off 963 RSP is equipped with 18-inch forged wheels from OZ, fitted with rain-specific Michelin tires, offering better grip than racing slicks. Engineers have heightened the ground clearance and selected the softer settings for the adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers. Additionally, a horn, mounting spots for license plates at both ends, and modified software for the headlights and taillights to include turn signals were added.

      The hybrid V8 powertrain and seven-speed sequential gearbox from Xtrac have been directly retained from the race car, albeit with crucial adjustments. The rear-mounted electric motor and generator were recalibrated for smoother power delivery, whereas the mid-mounted, twin-turbo 4.6-liter V8—producing approximately 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS)—has been reconfigured to operate on standard pump gas.

      Interestingly, Porsche has not disclosed any changes to the exhaust, hinting that this one-off may still project the same sound as it would during laps at Daytona, even while cruising through the city.

      These alterations granted the 963 RSP special authorization from French authorities for public road use. However, it is not fully homologated. The car is only permitted on the streets "under special circumstances and in compliance with local regulations." Therefore, don’t expect to see Roger Penske using it for errands any time soon.

      Three-time Le Mans champion Timo Bernhard, who had the opportunity to