More Power! Get the details on the potent Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

Porsche has ramped up the already heady performance of the 911 GT3 RS through the adoption of a new, naturally aspirated 4.0-liter version of the company's sturdy, horizontally opposed flat six-cylinder engine.

The unit kicks out 50 hp more than the 3.8-liter six-cylinder used in the existing 911 GT3 RS. This mill claims 500 hp at 8,250 rpm, a figure which makes the speedster the most powerful naturally aspirated road-going version of the 911 ever.

Along with the increase in peak power, the engine also develops an additional 22 lb-ft of torque, which increases to 339 lb-ft at 5,750 rpm.

The 4.0-liter is used in the competition variant of the car, the 911 GT3 RSR.

Porsche claims a 0-to-62-mph sprint of just 3.9 seconds--a scant tenth of a second inside the time quoted for the old model. It also quotes a 0-to-124-mph (the magical 200 km/h for Europeans) time of less than 12 seconds.

Like the previous model, the gearing and aerodynamics of the GT3 RS can be altered. The car checks in at a lithe the 2,998 pounds. Underlining its competition background, the limited-edition 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will be sold exclusively in white.

By Greg Kable