PORSCHE 963 RSP PART 2

YESTERDAY, PORSCHE INTRODUCED US to the 963 RSP (as in “Roger Searle Penske”). A cool part of the intro, described in a Porsche press release, was the drive of this road-worthy Le Mans car from Zuffenhausen to the Circuit de la Sarthe, essentially recreating Count Rossi’s Zuffenhausen/Paris drive of a half century ago. Here in Part 2, tidbits continue.

The Count Rossi 917 getting passed by the 963 RSP. This and other images from Porsche.

963 Street Mods. “The ride height of the car was raised to its maximum available setting to accommodate road use, while the adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers designed for racing prototypes are in their softest setting to create a more compliant ride.”

The 963 RSP sported a French W (manufacter’s) plate for the trip.

Powertrain of the 963 RSP. “The 963 is powered by a 4.6 liter twin-turbocharged V8 making up to approximately 680 hp that has its origins in the RS Spyder race program operated by Penske which claimed all titles in the LMP2 class of the American Le Mans Series from 2006 to 2008…. The flat crankshaft and short stroke of the engine allow for a low mounting point, helping to optimize the center of gravity of the car.”

A village pause. 

“While the 918 Spyder used the engine in naturally aspirated form, the 963 pairs it with two turbochargers provided by the Dutch manufacturer Van der Lee. These turbochargers generate very moderate boost pressure and are mounted on the hot side of the engine, optimizing throttle response. Overall, around 80 percent of the engine components in the 963 are shared with the 918 Spyder, which was already designed to work together with a hybrid system.”

The 963’s MGU. “The standardized components of the electric boost system are supplied by Bosch (motor generator unit, electronics and software) and Williams Advanced Engineering (high-voltage battery). The motor generator unit (MGU), which is responsible for the power output and recuperation under braking at the rear axle, works in direct interaction with the sequential seven-speed gearbox from Xtrac. The MGU sits in the bell housing between the combustion engine and the gearbox.”

Another tranquille village until the 963 and 917 come along.  

Hybrid Power. “The hybrid’s entire electrical system produces up to 800 volts. The uniform battery has an energy capacity of 1.35 kWh, which can be mobilized at any time under acceleration. An output of 30 to 50 kW is available in short bursts but does not change the overall output of the powertrain. When the thrust of the MGU kicks in, the power of the combustion engine, which can reach over 8,000 rpm (depending on the BoP), automatically decreases.”

BoP, Balance of Plant is an engineering term referring to all supporting components and auxiliary systems other than the generating unit itself.

This video can be accessed from the Porsche News press release.

A One-Off For (And Honoring) Roger Penske. The 963 RSP is not a homologated addition to the Porsche model line; it’s intended as a one-off for and named in honor of Roger Penske. The car will go on public display at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans before it returns to Stuttgart to be shown at the Porsche Museum. In July the car will appear alongside the 917 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. ds 

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2025