A tribute to 50 years of racing heritage, the new Porsche 963 RSP brings Hypercar performance to the streets ahead of Le Mans 2025.
In a dazzling reveal on the streets near Circuit de la Sarthe, Porsche today unveiled the one-of-a-kind Porsche 963 RSP, a road-legal Hypercar inspired by its championship-winning 963 race cars from IMSA and WEC — and a direct nod to the legendary 917 of the 1970s.
The timing is no accident: as Porsche prepares to battle for glory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025, this remarkable vehicle connects past and present in thrilling style.
Developed jointly by Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport, and Porsche Cars North America — with racing legend Roger Penske lending his initials to the car’s name — the Porsche 963 RSP is both a technological masterpiece and a heartfelt homage to the original Count Rossi 917 that once toured from Stuttgart to Paris on open roads.
From Zuffenhausen to Paris — A legacy reborn
Fifty years ago, in 1975, a Porsche 917 (chassis 030), the most advanced endurance racer of its time, made a sensational journey — not on a racetrack, but across Europe’s public roads. Driven by its enigmatic owner with minimal road modifications, that very car still runs today in France.
“Inspired by a simple ‘what if?’, our team at Porsche and Penske reimagined how a modern 963 could channel the spirit of that historic 917,” said Timo Resch, President and CEO of Porsche Cars North America. “The 963 RSP is pure race car — just like the 917 was — but built with the finest materials and a racing soul.”
Porsche 963 RSP — Road-legal, yet track-ready
Unlike its racing siblings clad in multi-coloured liveries, the 963 RSP wears a stunning Martini Silver paint job, a nod to the original 917, over its carbon fibre and Kevlar® body — a process that proved highly challenging due to the car’s ultralight construction.
Inside, the cockpit is fitted with bespoke beige leather and Alcantara, replicating the Count Rossi 917’s luxurious, handmade interior.
Key road-legal modifications include:
- Raised ride height and softened Multimatic DSSV dampers for public roads
- Recalibrated electronic control units for functional lights and indicators
- Custom Michelin wet-weather tyres on OZ forged wheels
- Carbon fibre wheel covers and a signature 963 RSP 3D-printed badge
- A fully integrated horn and legally certified number plates
Thanks to special authorisation from French authorities and support from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), the Porsche 963 RSP is street-legal — a rare feat for a modern Le Mans Hypercar.
“A surreal experience” — Porsche driver Timo Bernhard
Porsche factory driver and Le Mans winner Timo Bernhard had the honour of piloting the 963 RSP on its maiden road drive:
“Driving this car on public roads, with the original 917 alongside me, was simply surreal. The 963 RSP felt more refined than its track sibling — and an absolute joy to drive without my full racing gear!”
Engineering excellence — Blending heritage with innovation
Creating this modern tribute required deep collaboration between Porsche Sonderwunsch teams in Stuttgart and Atlanta. Design Director Grant Larson led the project, working closely with Porsche Classic specialists to replicate period-correct visual cues, down to the Martini Silver paint sourced from the archives.
Inside, details such as:
- Custom seats with cooling and plush leather padding
- Vintage-style ventilation trim inspired by the 917’s 12-cylinder fan
- A 3D-printed removable cup holder (for that perfect Porsche travel mug)
- Handcrafted storage panels for racing helmets and laptops
—all celebrate craftsmanship while respecting modern driving demands.
Under the hood — A V8 hybrid powertrain with proven racing pedigree
Powering the 963 RSP is Porsche’s fearsome 4.6-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid — an evolution of the RS Spyder’s LMP2 engine, also seen in the 918 Spyder hypercar. Producing around 680 horsepower, it’s matched to a 7-speed Xtrac sequential gearbox and supported by a Bosch-Williams Advanced Engineering hybrid system.
To ensure road usability, the team optimised the hybrid motor-generator unit (MGU) for linear, street-friendly power delivery and adapted the combustion engine to run on standard pump fuel.
Roger Penske — A Racing Partnership for the Ages
Roger Penske himself reflected on the project:
“Our relationship with Porsche dates back to 1972. The Porsche 917/30 was one of our most successful cars, and this new 963 RSP continues that legacy. We wanted it to stay true to its racing roots, and I think we’ve achieved something truly special.”
What’s Next for the Porsche 963 RSP?
The 963 RSP will be shown to the public at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2025 before returning to Porsche’s Stuttgart Museum. Later this summer, it will appear alongside the 917 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2025.
While not destined for public sale, the Porsche 963 RSP stands as a one-off masterpiece — a unique fusion of motorsport history and cutting-edge engineering.
