RML P39 40SE will go faster than a 911 GT3 RS at the Nürburgring

Those are some bold claims for a car that is yet to complete a timed lap of the Green Hell. The 40SE takes a 992.1 Turbo S donor and uprates it in almost all aspects. Most striking is the Le Mans Hypercar-inspired carbon-fibre bodywork complete with active aero including a DRS system.

It looks utterly purposeful with its wide stance, big wing and large air intakes while retaining enough of the base 911 (glasshouse, roof profile and headlights) to be obvious where it came from. That striking new shape shrouds a wheelbase and track that have been extended, and features a hydraulic height actuator. At 150mph, it generates 662kg of downforce, which is 4.5 times that of the 911 it’s based on.

The twin-turbo flat-six has been uprated to 912PS (670kW) and 1000Nm (738lb ft) of torque thanks to a new ECU, beefier turbos and intercoolers, new exhaust manifolds, upgraded catalytic converters and an Inconel sports exhaust.

That extra power combined with the improved aerodynamic package means that the P39 40SE leapfrogs the performance of Porsche’s own 911 GT3 RS with a simulated Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of six minutes and 45 seconds, around four seconds quicker than the GT3 RS’s real-world record of 6:49.

By means of comparison, the 992.1 Turbo S on which the RML car is based covers the same ground in 7:17.

RML claims that, far from being a track-only car, the 40SE is also adept at road use. There’s a Tour Mode that increases the right height and calms down the dampers to make it more suited to use on public roads. That said, the driver and passenger will still have to contend with four-point harnesses, while the back seat has been ejected in favour of a rollcage. The seats are embroidered with 40^th anniversary commemorative stitching while Ruby Red paint is a no-cost option. There are forged alloy wheels all round, 20 inches in diameter at the front and 21 inches at the rear.

Only ten P39 40^th Special Editions will be made, all at RML’s base close to Silverstone in Northamptonshire. It’s priced at £495,000 apiece plus local taxes plus a donor Porsche 911, which RML can source.

While RML Group was established 40 years ago, the Mallock family’s history in motorsport stretches back much further. It has become renowned for championship-winning racing cars and bespoke road cars. “What better way to showcase our leadership on road and track over 40 years than with the launch of a Le Mans Hypercar-inspired hypercar?” says Michael Mallock. We have to say we agree.