The enigmatic turbocharged Porsche 911 might be the upcoming GT3 RS or a reintroduced GT2.

      Stefan Baldauf/SB-Medien

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      The Porsche 911 GT3 is well-known for being naturally aspirated, a feature that is becoming increasingly rare among modern supercars. About a year ago, Porsche hinted that its benchmark track machine would need some form of powertrain support—likely through electric motors or, more probably, turbocharging—to meet the forthcoming Euro 7 emissions standards. This may explain the recent images showing what appears to be a 911 GT3 prototype testing at the Nürburgring, which looks mostly unchanged externally, aside from the rear bumper shape—and the sound it emits.

      If you take a closer look at the 911 GT3 in these photographs taken by our spy photographer, you will notice the covered section of bodywork just beneath the taillights and above the license plate area. It's uncertain what this camouflage is hiding, although improved ventilation seems like a plausible explanation. The diffuser also appears to have been modified, featuring four vertical slats on each side of the center dual exhaust (the current GT3 has three on either side), along with what seems to be an additional pair of exhaust pipes at the edges, angled downwards.

      These alterations to the rear may be easily overlooked, but there’s clearly a lot happening with this 911. Moreover, they're only part of the story, as an Instagram video from joelre98 showcases this very vehicle in action at the Green Hell, accompanied by an unmistakable whoosh.

      That noise does suggest forced induction, implying a few possibilities. Firstly, this could be the 992.2-generation 911 GT3 RS, just as Porsche indicated nearly a year ago. If true, not only would the naturally aspirated engine be a relic of the past, but it would likely also mean the end of the 9,000-rpm redline. The signs have been evident, yet it would still be disappointing.

      The alternative, and more exciting prospect, is that this might actually serve as a test unit for a 911 GT2. Unlike the GT3 line, turbocharging is intrinsic to the GT2, and we have yet to witness a GT2 in the 992 generation; the last made its exit in 2020. While the current 911 GT3 RS peaks at 518 horsepower and 343 lb-ft of torque, the prior GT2 RS (which had no non-RS variant) achieved 690 hp and 553 lb-ft, despite only weighing an additional 44 pounds. Additionally, Porsche may go beyond simply fitting a pair of turbos onto the next GT2’s flat-six, as an old report suggested that the forthcoming top-end 911 could incorporate hybrid technology derived from endurance racing.

      Regardless of the outcome, there's a new super-911 on the horizon with increased power; we will just need to wait a bit longer to discover exactly which badge it will carry. You can view the rest of the spy photos of this test vehicle below.

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