Porsche’s Motorsport division has raised the already haughty performance potential of the 911 GT3 RS in a mid-life facelift for the existing 991-series model, which forms the basis of the German car maker’s extensive GT-based motorsport activities.

Available to order now prior to a public debut at the upcoming Geneva motor show prior, the 2018-model-year 911 GT3 RS receives a mild 15kW bump in power from a lightly modified version of Porsche Motorsport’s race-bred 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, increasing its reserves to 383kW at 8250rpm.

This is the highest power figure yet for a naturally aspirated road-going Porsche model and serves to distance the new 911 GT3 RS from the standard 911 GT3, which adopted the same 368kW evolution of the horizontally-opposed engine as the previous 911 GT3 RS when it was updated last year.

Porsche Motorsport is yet to reveal the changes made to the 911 GT3 RS’s engine, although it confirms the rear-mounted unit continues to rev to a maximum 9000rpm and comes mated to a standard seven-speed dual clutch gearbox.

2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Photo: supplied

Despite the increase in power, torque is expected to remain at the same level as before, with 460Nm produced at 6250rpm.

The increase in power is claimed to shave 0.1sec off the new model’s 0-100km/h time, which is put at 3.2sec, while adding an incremental 2km/h to its potential maximum top speed at 312km/h in combination with various aerodynamic tweaks.

Among the chassis changes Porsche Motorsport has announced for the 911 GT3 RS ahead of Australian deliveries for the new car during the third quarter of 2018 is a recalibrated rear wheel steering system. As with the old model launched in 2015, the suspension of the new model uses solid ball joints on each arm for added steering precision. Wheels and tyres are 20-inch and 265/35 in profile up front and 21-inch with 325/30 profile at the rear.

Visually, the new Porsche road racer is differentiated from its predecessor by a series of subtle aerodynamic and styling upgrades. They include new LED indicator lamps set within a re-profiled front bumper featuring new vertical air flow guides within the outer air ducts to more efficiently channel air to the front mounted radiators and brakes.

Further back, the new 911 GT3 RS receives two new NACA style ducts within the bonnet and additional air-flow guides for the ducts within the rear fenders. At the rear, there are more heavily structured taillamps, a new bumper with larger air extraction ducts and modified supports for the rear wing, which feature newly shaped end plates.

Inside, there are carbon backed racing seats, lightweight door panels with storage nets and nylon opening loops. Weight optimisation measures include a reduction in sound absorption material and a new lightweight engine lid.

As with all of Porsche’s existing GT models, the 911 GT3 RS is sold with an optional Clubsport package. It consists of an aluminium roll cage, fire extinguishers and six-point seat belts.

Porsche Australia has confirmed the 2018 911 GT3 RS will cost from $416,500 (plus on-road costs) with local deliveries due to commence in the third quarter of the year.

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2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Photo: supplied

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