“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” will be a movie filled with transforming robot cars, battling it out with transforming robot animals, but the most unrealistic thing about it will actually be the choice of Porsche. That’s because the specific model chosen for the film was never actually offered in the U.S.
Porsche says that it decided to work with Paramount for this film, and was given some control over the specific model chosen for the role of Mirage (played by Pete Davidson). It, therefore, chose one of the rarest and most exceptional examples it could.
Set in the ’90s, it makes sense that the company opted for a 964 generation car, and a regular 911 probably would have been good enough for most viewers. But Porsche decided to go hard, picking the 911 Carrera RS 3.8 to play the car version of the Autobot Mirage.
“The 911 Carrera RS 3.8 is perfect not just because the film plays in 1994, but also because of the character traits of ‘Mirage’,” said Oliver Hoffmann, Head of Marketing Communications at Porsche AG. “He’s a tough character with a good heart and a bit of a rebellious streak now and again.”
Read: ’90s Neo-Classics Hinted At In Latest Trailer For Transformers: Rise of the Beasts
Indeed, the 911 Carrera RS 3.8 was the even hotter version of the Carrera RS that was introduced in 1992. Based off the company’s Cup Car at the time, it weighed about 345 lbs (155 kg) less than the standard Carrera 2, featured a hardcore suspension, and made 250 hp (194 kW/264 PS).
However, for this model, Porsche’s machinists had had their way with the engine, boring it out and turning the 3.6-liter engine into a 3.8. That allowed the Carrera RS 3.8 to make 300 hp (221 kW/296 PS).
Porsche only ever made 55 examples of the car, and only sold them in Europe, never in the U.S. Given it’s rarity, to avoid the risk of damage, no original model was used in the film. Instead, five camera cars were created to look just like the real thing, without the risk of an actual original Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 being destroyed.
These cars were modified to drive backwards at higher speed than a normal car, to perform stunt sequences, and to have controls outside the car to allow the actors to be filmed without also needing to drive. It’s easy to see why Porsche didn’t want to sacrifice an original car for that.
However, the company said that authenticity was important for it, so just because you can’t see an original 911 Carrera RS 3.8, doesn’t mean one wasn’t used for the film. Indeed, the engine sounds recorded for the film were captured from a real example of the car.
“It was important to us to represent the sound of the 911 model depicted in the film,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing of Porsche Cars North America. “It was extremely ambitious due to the number of cars needed from a limited production 911, but we are thrilled with the result and hope audiences are too.”
If you’re excited to see a representation of the extremely rare Porsche 911 Carrera RS 3.8 on the big screen, you’ll have your opportunity when “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” hits theaters on June 9.