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Porsche 911 R could be revealed at the Geneva motor show

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS

A Porsche for purists will officially break cover at the Geneva Motor Show in a few weeks.

The launch of the most recent 911 range was marked by a shift to turbocharged engines and dual-clutch transmissions. The move enhanced performance but caused some angst on social media where pundits decried the perceived loss of driver interactivity with the car.

Enter the 911 R. Porsche product chief August Achleitner won't confirm the R is coming but says "wait for Geneva".

Rumours suggest the hi-po Porsche will adopt either naturally aspirated 3.8-litre engine in the 911 GT3 or even the more outrageous 4.0-litre engine from GT3 RS, matched to a six-speed manual. It is also expected to ride on skinnier rubber than its GT3 siblings and could even ditch the trademark rear spoiler.

That will lessen outright grip but should make the R more fun to pilot, given drivers will be able to reach the limit of adhesion earlier and then balance the car on the throttle.

The lightweight, back-to-basics formula is also likely to delete the four-wheel steering found in the top-tier 911s in favour of a more primal driving experience.

Purists rejoice but start saving your pennies — the R is expected to rival the GT3s on price.

Do you think the 911 R will be the Porsche enthusiasts dream? Tell us in the comments below.

Craig Duff
Contributing Journalist
Craig Duff is a former CarsGuide contributor and News Corp Australia journalist. An automotive expert with decades of experience, Duff specialises in performance vehicles and motorcycles.
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