Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is proudly presenting the new RS Spyder at the Paris Motor Show, the Mondial de l‘ Automobile, from 30 September – 15 October, where the car is making its first public appearance. Developed at Porsche's R&D Centre in Weissach near Stuttgart, this racing car is an evolution of the sports prototype currently going all-out for the winner's title in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in the hands of the US Penske-Motorsports-Team. Next year the new RS Spyder is to be raced by various customer teams in a number of countries, thus making its international debut.

Porsche has developed and built the open RS Spyder in accordance with the rules and regulations of the French Automobile Club de’l Ouest (A.C.O.) racing organisation under the designation "Le Mans Prototypes 2". This means that this racing car may be entered, inter alia, in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), the European Le Mans Series (LMS), and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Choosing the second-highest of four A.C.O. racing categories, Porsche is facing competition at the highest level of technology and at the same time limiting the cost of racing the car with a view to future entry of the RS Spyder by customers.

Following thorough computer simulations and tests in the wind tunnel, the RS Spyder will feature an updated and upgraded chassis next season. Optimisation of the wing and rear diffuser serves not only to enhance the aerodynamic efficiency of the car, but also to improve the range of set-up options for different kinds of race tracks. At the same time the carbon-fibre body has been modified for an even higher standard of ease and convenience in service and maintenance. And last but not least, the thermodynamic qualities of the RS Spyder have been optimised inter alia by re-designing the air ducts leading into and out of the radiators.

The 90o V8 racing engine developed by Porsche for long-distance events develops maximum output from 3.4 litres displacement and with the air volume restrictor required by the pertinent regulations of 503 bhp (370 kW) at 10300 rpm, an increase in output over the former model by 23 bhp. The weight of the car is also in line with the A.C.O. Regulations, with the new RS Spyder weighing in at exactly 775 kilos or 1709 lb.

The sequential six-speed dog-shift gearbox with its three-plate carbon-fibre clutch is fitted in lengthwise and is integrated into the chassis as a load-bearing component. Gears are shifted directly from paddles on the steering wheel. Porsche has upgraded the gearbox for the forthcoming racing season above all with the objective to make the gearshift even more reliable, smoother and less demanding on all the components involved, and at the same time even more precise.

This prototype sports car is based on a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, with double wishbone track arms for the front wheels attached to the ultra-stiff and light body structure. The double wishbones at the rear, in turn, are fastened to a carbon-fibre element bolted on to the transmission housing. Torsion springs and pushrod-operated four-way gas pressure dampers, as well as bending-leaf anti-roll bars, round off the suspension of the RS Spyder modified for even faster and more precise handling in 2007.

Great attention has also been given to the ongoing development of various other components of the car such as the central electrics, the hydraulic system, and the power steering. The brakes feature double master cylinders, variable brake force distribution and inner-vented carbon-fibre discs measuring 380 millimetres or 14.96" in diameter on the front axle and 355 millimetres or 13.98" at the rear. The racing tyres for this prototype come from Michelin as a Porsche's partner included from the beginning in the development of the RS Spyder.

Precisely when the new model is being presented for 2007, the current RS Spyder is on the finishing straight right now at the end of its first complete racing season. With two races in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), the most significant US Sports Car Championship, still to come, the Penske-Motorsports-Team as Porsche's partner in cooperation and exclusive customer is now looking directly at the Driver's, Team and Manufacturer's Championships with Porsche's sports prototype. And apart from superior class wins in the Le Mans Prototype Class 2, this light and agile Porsche also scored a sensational one-two victory on the winding Mid-Ohio race track in May, beating LMP1 prototypes despite their extra power on account of the regulations set out to their advantage.

In order to exploit the scope provided by the LMP2 regulations (Le Mans Prototype 2) to the full, Porsche has completely revamped the RS Spyder. The new design ensures that engine, transmission, chassis, suspension and aerodynamics combine to produce a harmonious overall package. In the interests of optimum driving dynamics, the vehicle concept focuses on the lowest possible centre of gravity, high agility and good traction.

The RS Spyder was the dominant vehicle in the 2007 American Le Mans Series (ALMS), demonstrating outstanding stability and notching up 11 wins in the 12 races, including 8 overall wins.

The RS Spyder has undergone a detailed revamp for the 2008 season. The main focus was on fine-tuning the aerodynamics and the engine. The V8 racing engine developed for long-distance use continues to generate 478 hp with the prescribed air-flow limiter on the basis of a displacement of 3.4 litres. The fuel consumption has been further optimised and the engine has been adapted even more effectively to the E10 fuel containing 10% bioethanol which is required in the ALMS.

The regulations also necessitated additional modifications. As a result of these measures, the LMP2 minimum weight has been increased by 25 kg (ALMS) and 50 kg (LMS and Le Mans) and the tank capacity has been reduced by 10 l for LMS and Le Mans, though not for ALMS.

Technical Description RS Spyder (2008)

Concept
Two-seater, open sports prototype according to A.C.O. Regulations.

Class
LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2). Suitable for racing in the ALMS, LMS, other championships
and Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

Bodyshell
Carbon-fibre reinforced monocoque; front, side and rear body sections made of reinforced carbon/kevlar; underbody with skid block (A.C.O.) and rear diffuser; rear wing adjustable on two wing elements; six-point harness with Head And Neck Support System (HANS) modification; fire extinguishing system; helmet protection to FIA and A.C.O. regulations; three-point pneumatic car jack.

Aerodynamics
Variable through rear wing and ride height.

Engine
Eight-cylinder V-engine with 90ş cylinder bank angle; watercooled; four valves per cylinder; oil cooling with oil/water heat exchanger; intake system with a 42.9 mm restrictor; intake system with individual throttle butterflies; dry sump lubrication with separate oil tank; Bosch MS 4.2 electronic engine management; sequential multipoint fuel injection.

Capacity:
3,397 cc

Engine output:
Approx 350 kW (476 hp) at 9,800 rpm

Max torque:
Approx 370 Nm (273 lb-ft) at 7,500 rpm

Output per litre:
Approx 103 kW

Fuel grade:
Premium plus (motorsport specification) / E10 racing fuel (ALMS)

Electrical system
Motec display with data memory; 12 V, 26 Ah battery; 140 Ah alternator

Power transmission
Engine and gearbox bolted together to form one drive unit; power conveyed by double joint
shafts to the rear wheels. Manual sequential six-speed dog-shift gearbox, in-line gearshift;
gears shifted electro-pneumatically by way of paddles on the steering wheel; oil/water heat
exchanger; ZF Sachs three-plate carbon-fibre racing clutch; mechanical limited-slip
differential; anti-spin control.

Suspension
Front axle:
Double wishbone track control arm configuration; ZF Sachs four-way gas-pressure dampers, pushrod operation; torsion springs; adjustable anti-roll bar in bending-leaf design; hydraulic power steering with mechanical pump.

Rear axle:
Double wishbone track control arm configuration;
ZF Sachs four-way gas-pressure dampers, pushrod operation; torsion springs; adjustable
anti-roll bar. Overall suspension infinitely adjustable for height, camber, and track.

Brakes
Two-circuit brake system with front/rear split and balance bar control; no ABS; six-piston
aluminium monobloc fixed callipers at the front; cross-drilled, inner-vented carbon brake
discs measuring 380 mm (14.96") in diameter at the front and 355 mm (13.98") at the rear.

Wheels and tyres
Single-piece light-alloy wheels with central bolts
front 12.5 x 18 on 29/65 18 Michelin slicks
rear 13 x 18 on 31/71 18 Michelin slicks

Weight
825 kg (1,709 lb) to A.C.O. regulations
800 kg (1,657 lb) to IMSA regulations

Dimensions
Length 4,650 mm (183.1")
Width 2,000 mm (78.7")
Height 1,068 mm (42.0")

Tank capacity
80-litre (17.6 Imp gal) safety tank with rapid tank filling (LMS/24h Le Mans)
90-litre (19.8 Imp gal) safety tank with rapid tank filling (ALMS)