Debuted As The Most Expensive Model, The Porsche 963 Endurance Racer

The German automaker's first consumer prototype in decades, the Porsche 963, has just been uncloaked as its most expensive model to date, priced at USD 2.9 million (RM 12,829,600).

Breaking its own record by a significant amount of money, it tags well over Porsche’s previous most expensive model, the 2008 RS Spyder LMP2, which was priced at USD 1.5 million (RM 6,636,000).

According to Porsche, the prominent design of its new 963 hybrid racer is based on the victorious 1980s, 956 and 962 classics.

Whereas, the rear’s lighting strip echoes a distinctive feature of the latest 992-generation 911, and the white-red-black paint scheme is another salute to Porsche’s successful racing cars.

Its design also has the environmental factor accounted for, as it is said to run on renewable fuels that enable a weighty reduction in CO2 emissions.

Under its hood is a 4.6-liter V8 engine derived from the 918 Spyder hybrid sports car. Though, for the racer, it’s been beefed-up with dual turbochargers and an electric motor.

Said setup is married to a seven-speed pneumatically actuated racing transmission, and the whole vehicle weighs in at just over 998 kg. The powertrain generates up to 670 hp/500kW.

Porsche Motorsport’s vice president, Thomas Laudenbach, remarked, “Our new Porsche 963 should continue the legacy of legendary models such as the 917, 935, 956, 962 and the 919 Hybrid. I’m positive that we’ll be well-positioned when it comes to technology and we’ve also created the relevant team structures to set us up for wins in the thrilling competition between many manufacturers and different concepts.” 

The new 963 is set to put Porsche that has won Le Mans 24 hours 19 times, the Rolex 24 at Daytona 18 times and the 12 Hours of Sebring 18 times, back at the top of the world of endurance racing.

Official race debut of the 963, which will be led by Porsche Penske Motorsport, is planned to take place in January 2023 at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the USA. 

In the meantime, the team is aiming for a non-competitive dress rehearsal at the final round of the season in Bahrain this November.

To compete for the world’s most important sports car races, Porsche Penske Motorsport will be sending two out of the four 963 that was built at its bases in North Carolina and Germany.

That being said, the new 963 is not built to be a daily driver as it’s aimed at motorsport teams and more specifically, those aiming to compete in endurance races.

Outstandingly, the new 963 has already been sold to a few lucky customers. Minnesota's JDC-Miller Motorsports is the first confirmed buyer, with more high-profile racing names expected to follow.