SPIED: So, You've HEARD About The Upcoming Porsche 911 R, But Have You SEEN It? Latest Spy Pics HERE!

In the latest news surrounding Porsche's pure 911, the 911 R, the word on the street suggests that it will make its first appearance at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show (GIMS). Color us interested.

Personally, while I've been enjoying the boys and girls from Stuttgart innovation, I have to say there's nothing better than strapping into one of the brand's stripped out models and blasting around to a six-cylinder soundtrack. To say I am excited by the reports of a "pure" 911 is, well, a no brainer.

Though we've brought you spy pictures of the much talked about Porsche, the latest shots really bring this vehicle into focus.

It seems that the speculation and rumormill is dead-on. The 911 R is expected to mimic the 911 GT3 but feature narrower tires, less aerodynamics and a manual gearbox. The test car seen here in the latest shots looks like a stripped down 991 GT3 with a carbon ceramic big brake kit.

It's also interesting to note that the test vehicle snapped in these pictures is equipped with a roll cage. Clearly, this is going to be one serious machine.

**To see the FULL collection of spy shots, click "Read Article"



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skytop - 1/23/2016 8:13:46 PM

0 Boost

The front really resembles a frog.

w222 - 1/23/2016 10:08:18 PM

+1 Boost

Porsche has done extensive research and find that humans have a natural proclivity toward frog-like faces. One of their top executive said.. built a a car that looks like kermit the frog and people will come.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 11:22:46 AM

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Brilliant

bperlow - 1/23/2016 11:01:13 PM

+1 Boost

Lots of accidents I predict. Drivers thinking they are better than they are, and a care without the GT3 "safeties" and ground effects that make for better handling.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 11:33:13 AM

+2 Boost

I am routinely stunned by people who buy fast cars but never think to go to a performance driving school. They are the kind that are always gunning around and they probably assume the car is superhuman. Then you have the types that HAVE been to driving school who think it gives them license to drive like a jackass.

A "pure" 911 will be a handful for someone who has been to driving school, much less not.

runninglogan1 - 1/24/2016 1:31:27 AM

0 Boost

This thing is going to sell for twice its price.

ATrain - 1/24/2016 8:50:41 AM

+3 Boost

It will be very limited deployment to address a frequent complaint that the 991 GT3 has gone PDK-only without embarrassing execs (AP) who've publically said that it needed to go auto because GT cars are about lap times.

Without aero kits and a suspected slight detuning of the engine, it will essentially be a souped-up GTS.

As bperlow suggested above, it could induce driver errors, though aeros don't do much below 75 mph. However, if tracked...

BTW, they are sold out already as I understand it. Of course, that's rumors right now but some of the folks on Rennlist are well-connected.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 12:04:08 PM

+1 Boost

911s spin out at the track on a regular basis due to driver error, but in that environment it's usually safe to do so.

I've seen 911s spin out when it rains (1) because Californians do not know how to drive in the rain and (2) drivers of 911s don't all go to driving school.

When I had my first 911 experience (the original platform), it was a lot of work to drive fast. At high speed down a straight you're aware that the engine mass is in the wrong place and steering has to be careful so as not to twitch and invoke centrifugal force. Ditto braking. Yes the engine mass helps breaking, but its location demands careful steering. Modern 911s benefit tremendously from ABS.

I spun out or drifted wide (when I caught the spin in time) many times as I learned the dynamics of getting a tail heavy car through a corner without scrubbing too much speed. I was 18 then and the guy that owned the 911 did his fair share of laughing at my expense.

PUGPROUD - 1/24/2016 9:40:35 AM

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No question this will be a great driving car. However I'm getting a little tired if not annoyed with all these manufacturers' limited edition special models. Believe me I get it...exclusive, special equipment and high prices. Its the limited number made that annoys me whether it be a Mustang, Porsche whatever. These cars usually are sold out in five minutes after being announced and to guys with juice or pull and shut out so many other enthusiasts who never even have a chance. The very very few that make it to a dealer showroom are marked up with huge premiums that make no sense except for 1%ers. I know for a fact that Axl Rose of Guns'N Roses cannot find a Mustang 350R right now despite great effort. Believe me I get it...these limited editions create PR buzz, satisfy the heavy hitter needs and make mega bucks for dealers and manufacturers. But that doesn't mean I like it...just saying.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 11:41:42 AM

+1 Boost

With respect the to the GT350R, allotment went to buyers who would do most for the Shelby brand or who have strong connections to the brand.

As for celebrities, if Jay Leno wanted one, he would get one easily because of how he is an ambassador for cars, but Axl Rose is an old, Joe Dirt, ex-lead singer, of a band that was brilliant for 15 minutes and then went poof.

Should they make more? Yes.

Heck, if I could double my allotment of the regular GT350, I'd be happy.

Believe it or not, there are dealers who sell them at list price, but evaluate the customers before deciding who gets the car.

And there are other dealers that allow a bidding war. The latter can be dangerously bad PR for the dealer.

PUGPROUD - 1/24/2016 2:17:15 PM

0 Boost

Sounds like we agree...twice now, go figure! Have a good day.

mini22 - 1/24/2016 3:38:20 PM

+1 Boost

If I had to go American and wanted a sports car it would be a GT350 or maybe a Camaro SS. I say maybe because I'm just not sure I trust GM products. If European and I wanted to be in the semi affordable market I would not be buying a Porsche. They are great cars that are also greatly overpriced. In fact the true Porsche advantage is only available on a track. There are cars out there that are almost as good to drive that are way less money. The new BMW M2 probably comes very close to a Cayman in handling and performance but will probably be 35 to 40% cheaper average equipped. If I was after a beautiful look you cannot go wrong with an F Type. Again 95% of the performance of a Porsche. If I wanted straight line performance close to a 911 Carrera S but wanted mid engine handling you don't need to go to a Cayman GT4. It might be worth taking a chance on the new and improved Lotus Evora S400.
Has anyone seen the video of Matt Farra driving the very first US model?

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 4:14:20 PM

+1 Boost

Like the Mustang, the Camaro is pretty solid. If you want Porsche level performance for less money: Mustang GT, GT350, Camaro SS, ZL1, and Stingray are pretty hard to beat in the trifecta of performance/price/reliability.

I don't get the aura around the F-Type because for it to match the performance of a base Stingray, you can easily top $100K. Heck even the base 911 at $85K is a better buy. The F-Type is 95% of the performance of a 911 for about 125% of the cost.

Had the F-Type been placed at a base of where the Mustang GT and Camaro SS are, it would have been a brilliant way to dramatically improve volume and recast Jaguar as a performance brand. While it is selling better than the XK that ostensibly it replaced, its sales are still pretty laughable.

ATrain - 1/24/2016 7:14:54 PM

+2 Boost

Mini22,

I'll admit to being biased when it comes to P-cars but what's interesting is 'why.' It's not for the looks. I like the looks but there are many nicer looking cars out there. It's not for the performance. They perform great but many cars do also, and for less money most of the time. It's for their ability to take a beating and keep on ticking...

I do quite a few track days and track classes every year and what we do with these cars, few if any other I've seen can take the absolute abuse, lap after lap, and just keep running. It wasn't always like that but Porsche really got their act together nowadays.

So, if what you want is fast, pick cars based on specs and you will do well most of the time. And if what you want is gorgeous sheetmetal, then go with your gut feel and you'll never be wrong. But if you want to beat the living daylights out of a fast car that looks quite nice, then there is no substitute... :)

mini22 - 1/24/2016 4:58:07 PM

0 Boost

A base 911 for 85K. Not a chance Matt. No dealership would sell any 911 that way completely stripped out. Average transaction price of a 911 even in base Carrera trim is probably 110 grand. An S is probably 120 to 130 grand. An F type R without ceramic brakes is $105 grand. As I've said I've read of quality control issues with the new Stingray so that would put me off buying one. If I had to buy American it would have to be the GT350. An F Type is a much prettier car and at least your not getting a 4 cylinder that you will be getting in the 2017 Boxster/Cayman.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 7:46:21 PM

+1 Boost

I am well aware that getting a base 911 is a special order only kind of thing.

THE POINT IS that even at base, the 911 is a better vehicle than the F-Type fully kitted out. Now spend top-of-the-line money on a 911 and the F-Type becomes even more dubious.

The 911 is a great car--yes--but I would go with a Z06 over a 911 and I'd run the GT350 against any F-Type and kill it. The GT350 is 100% Porsche performance for 50% of the price.

Yeah...yeah...apples-to-oranges comparison

PUGPROUD - 1/24/2016 8:08:26 PM

0 Boost

The market for performance cars divides into a few segments...1) enthusiasts who are loyal to one brand, 2) those who have to have the latest "it" car no matter the make, 3) those who after a while get bored with what they have and try new brands, and 4) poseurs. Except for the last category the first three generate the most discussion across all three segment claiming they know best. Personally at times I've been a member of #2 and at other times #3. When I got shutout and could not get a new BMW M1 I put down a $500 deposit on 1/20/12 on an M2 at MSRP. Had early deposits at MSRP on Honda S2000 years ago and more recently a C7 Corvette. My son did the same and got one of the first Challenger Hellcats at MSRP. Got to get way ahead of the curve to drive the next new thing.

MDarringer - 1/24/2016 8:42:04 PM

+1 Boost

(1) Loyal to brand: Porsche, Mustang, Camaro, Corvette
(2) Latest "it": F-Type (emperor's new clothes)
(3) the Kardashian whores
(4) NSX customers

(1) I'm loyal to: Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, TVR, Jensen, and some dodges
(2) I have the luxury of getting manufacturer cars here and there
(3) NEVER me
(4) my stud muffin aka Terrible989 says this is me.

I hope the track is dry next weekend. Shootout: Shelby Mustang GT350 vs TVR Sagaris LS7...