New car news

19 May 2009 - 12:00

RS Spyder for the road?

It's only a rumour, but it's the sort of rumour we like: Porsche is believed to be creating a version of its Le Mans-winning RS Spyder (pictured)... for the road.

Oh yes. French sources are reporting that Porsche will convert its ultra-lightweight, open cockpit LMP2 racer into a limited-run road car, in effect the successor to the Carrera GT supercar that ended production in 2005.

The RS Spyder, should it be built, won't be as powerful as the Carrera GT. Instead, the RS Spyder could get a detuned version of the race car's 3.4-litre V8, putting out around 300kW.

Though that's a reasonably modest output by Porsche standards, the RS Spyder should be lethally fast: expect a kerbweight of no more than 800kg or so.

Unlike the race car, it'll likely become a two-seater, but the basic dimensions should remain. That giant rear wing might have to drop a couple of sizes, mind.

Will it happen? Here's praying...