Autoblog

Click for a high-res gallery of the '07 RS Spyder

Porsche has unveiled the RS Spyder for the 2007 sports car racing season, and, as you might imagine, they've made some improvements. Customer teams will finally be able to take delivery of the LMP2-class racer, which has been raced exclusively by Team Penske in the American Le Mans Series this season. The Penske Spyders have enjoyed success, and on Saturday they locked up the ALMS LMP2 team and manufacturer's championships with a a 1-2 finish in LMP2 (5-6 overall) at Petit Le Mans.

From what Porsche is saying, the 2007 machine is going to be even better, and we're already looking forward to the Porsche vs. Acura LMP2 matchups next season. The new Spyder gets chassis improvements, tweaked aerodynamics, an easier-to-maintain body, and better cooling. With its mandatory air restrictors in place, the RS Spyder's 3.4L V8 churns out 504 horsepower at 10,300 rpm. That's a 23-horse increase over Penske's 2006 rides, and it should be more than enough to get the 1,709-lb car around the various sports car circuits as quickly as possible.

The ALMS season still has a race to go, and we find ourselves counting down to Sebring...

(Press release after the jump)

[Source: Porsche AG]