RS Spyder

STORY

The RS Spyder (internal code 9R6) marked Porsche's return to top-level sports-prototype racing, developed in partnership with Penske Motorsports and unveiled for the 2005 American Le Mans Series. Built to the LMP2 formula around a carbon-fibre monocoque and a purpose-designed 3.4-litre V8, the open-cockpit car proved so effective that it repeatedly beat the larger, more powerful LMP1 machinery outright. Penske ran it to consecutive ALMS LMP2 championships and numerous overall race victories, and customer teams including Dyson Racing and, in Europe, Team Essex campaigned it with similar success. The Evo package introduced for 2007-2008 refined the aerodynamics and driveline, keeping the Spyder at the front until Porsche wound down the programme. It remains one of the most dominant LMP2 cars ever built and a bridge between the marque's earlier prototype heritage and the later 919 Hybrid era.