Future Porsche 911 Could Rev To 9500 RPM

Porsche could create a road-going engine for the 911 that revs up to an stratospheric 9500 rpm.

During the recent launch of the new GT3 RS, Porsche project manager for GT Road Car Engines, Thomas Mader, told Motor the automaker is investigating future developments of the latest 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated six-cylinder engine.

“We’re working on that with our team, we’re looking at power, driveability, we’re looking towards the future … Developing is going on, so we will see.”

It is possible that a future derivative of this 4.0-liter could rev beyond the current 9000 rpm red line of the latest GT3. With the exception of the airbox, air filter, and exhaust, the GT3’s engine is almost identical to the units used by the 911 RSR, GT3 Cup, and R race cars. When fitted into the RSR, the engine revs to 9500 rpm.

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“This is also a point for development. We will look at the things we have on racetrack to put it in the street car, that’s our job. The point is, this makes sense, because you want to have power, driveability,” Mader said.

However, Mader made it clear that lifting the rev limit by 500 rpm wouldn’t be easy, particularly if the brand wants to make the engine reliable.

“For [the new GT3 RS], [9000rpm] is matched perfect to the whole system. Now I have to speak to my colleagues and we will have a car, and we will have 9500 revs, and matched to that all to the gearbox, then we will work on that technical side, which should be possible … but [although] we have that engine for the racetrack, the lifetime aspect for road car is different.”