What’s this, a modified 993 with only 455bhp… that weighs *one-tonne*?

Gunther Werks is a California-based remasteriser of the Porsche 911 - specifically the 993-generation - and has in the past remasterised many fine Porsche 993-generation 911s. Here is its latest, and against the tidal wave of horsepower unleashed in California last week, this is a welcome relief.

Because it bears *only* 455bhp from its engine. Four hundred and fifty-five! There are electric city cars with more power in 2026. And yet, because Gunther Werks has been remasterising 993-generation Porsche 911s for years, this GXR-Evo is an absolute firecracker.

At least, it promises to be. “The GXR-Evo represents the purest interpretation of everything Gunther Werks stands for,” said boss Peter Nam. It’s been designed and built as an expensive, 993-shaped tool with which one can deconstruct not just difficult apexes, but also your breakfast.

In part thanks to the four-cam, twin-valve, air-cooled 4.0-litre flat-six developed with Rothsport Racing that lurks within. It comes with a slide-valve throttle body – replacing the butterfly valves – said to better the accelerator pedal's response. As mentioned, it makes 455bhp and revs to 9,000rpm.

Those screaming hot horsies are sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed Gertrag manual ‘box, and then to each difficult apex via a number of aerodynamic aids. These include a new front splitter, some canards, vented arches, a high-downforce wing, and even carbon fibre rear windows. Among others of course.

The body, by the way, is fully carbon fibre, while elsewhere in the spec you’ll find three-way adjustable dampers, Brembo racing brakes, “motorsport-grade ABS”, magnesium wheels, a straight-pipe exhaust, a Kevlar racing seat for the driver, a fully configurable Motec display, a roll cage and other motorsport-spec paraphernalia. Truly, GW needs to drop a more obvious clue that it's bred for the track.

Here’s the kicker – all in, the thing weighs just 1,082kg. A *one-tonne* Porsche. Just 15 are being built, and in a neat touch, each owner will get a bespoke racing sim from MYSIM that’s individually commissioned and numbered, and is “precisely configured to mirror the dynamics of their individual vehicle”. There’s ‘throwing in an air freshener and six months road tax’, and then there’s this.

“The GXR-Evo stands as the definitive track-focused evolution of the air-cooled 911 silhouette and the most extreme expression of Gunther Werks’ philosophy ever created,” the company said. The price, unsurprisingly, reflects that expression and rarity: each car starts from $1.35m, and for that, you'll have to stump up the donor 993 and add on some taxes, too.