RML promised something very special was coming in its 40th anniversary year, and now we know they really weren’t messing around. That special something is called the P39 40th Special Edition, built from a Porsche 911 Turbo S and said to combine ‘Le Mans Hypercar design and daily road-car usability’. So it’s probably quite exciting.
Especially given that the P39 is significantly more powerful than the already-very-rapid Turbo S. With new turbos, intercoolers, manifolds and cats, plus an entirely new ECU and Inconel exhaust, RML claims 912hp at 7,300rpm, which is beyond what a standard car even rev to (having made a peak of 650hp at 6,750rpm). Torque is rated at 738lb ft, with 4,500rpm required for it, but the standard car’s max of 590lb ft there from 3,000rpm. This will be no peaky reworked special. The eight-speed PDK and ceramic brakes remain untouched.
Neither will the P39 40SE be purely a straight line maniac. This is RML, after all, winner of countless championships, so this is going to corner like no 911 Turbo yet. The tracks are wider by 100mm and the wheelbase is longer, with carbon bodywork ‘inspired functionally and aesthetically by the new Le Mans Hypercar category’ draped over the top. So that should mean benefits for both stability and kerbweight, though an exact weight hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The suspension has been completely overhauled also, with a Tour and Track setting that adjusts ride height and damping to ensure usability for road and circuit work. The wild new appearance incorporates DRS, with a maximum of 662kg of downforce possible at 150mph - compared to 146kg for a standard car. 923kg is made at 177mph. All of which means RML’s simulations (not the real thing, granted) suggest this P39 should be capable of a 6:45 lap time at the Nordschleife.
On the other side of things, RML has fitted new embroidered sports seats inside - they really intend for this to be driven and enjoyed. But forget taking any small people along for the 900hp ride, as a half cage now takes the place of the rear bench. Ruby Red paintwork is standard, though presumably those paying £495,000 for a P39 (plus taxes, and a donor car) could change that if they wanted to.
CEO Michael Mallock said: “Our new RML P39 40th Special Edition challenges everything that’s possible in this sector,’ he added. ‘It will comfortably eclipse a GT3 RS* at the Nordschleife while being relaxing and easy to drive all the way home again.’ That asterisk is because there isn’t a real life lap time yet, so let’s hope that follows in due course. For now, the first P39s are under construction at RML HQ in Wellingborough, and the suggestion is certainly that a few build slots might remain. Turbo S 992s for sale this way…
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