Porsche 963 RSP Breaks Cover As Street-Converted Hypercar Tribute

Porsche has introduced the 963 RSP, a one-off version of its 963 Hypercar, built for road use. The car made its debut on the streets near the Circuit de la Sarthe alongside the 917 that influenced its creation. The 963 RSP was developed by teams from Porsche AG, Porsche Penske Motorsport and Porsche Cars North America, in collaboration with motorsport figure Roger Penske.

The project marks 50 years since a Porsche 917, driven by its private owner, traveled from Zuffenhausen to Paris on public roads in April 1975. That car, a street-registered 917, remains in France and was used as the design reference for the new 963 RSP.

Unlike Porsche’s racing 963s, which are wrapped in team liveries, the 963 RSP is painted in a silver finish. The carbon-Kevlar body was modified with additional coverings over the wheels, new dampers, raised ride height and wet-weather tires. The vehicle was fitted with lighting and safety systems to comply with French road regulations under special permissions from local authorities and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO).

The interior layout differs significantly from the racing version. It features a tan leather and Alcantara trim, a leather-covered carbon seat with cushioning and fixed headrest. The dashboard includes a mount for the steering wheel, laptop and a helmet. Minor additions include ventilation styling that mimics the 917’s engine fan and a 3D-printed cup holder.

The idea for the 963 RSP was proposed by executives from Porsche Cars North America and Porsche Motorsport during a meeting at Road Atlanta. The project was presented to Roger Penske, whose initials form part of the vehicle’s name. Penske agreed to support the build as its official client.

The 963 RSP is powered by a 4.6L twin-turbocharged V8. The engine, originally developed for the RS Spyder LMP2 program and later used in the 918 Spyder, produces around 670.6 bhp. It features a flat crankshaft, short stroke and low mounting point to improve center of gravity. Turbochargers are mounted on the hot side for improved response.

The hybrid system consists of an electric motor-generator unit from Bosch, a high-voltage battery by Williams Advanced Engineering, and a seven-speed sequential gearbox from Xtrac. The hybrid setup operates at 800 volts with an energy capacity of 1.35 kWh, offering brief additional power under acceleration and energy recovery under braking.

After its appearance near Le Mans, the 963 RSP will be displayed during the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It will later return to the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart and be shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.