Uh oh. Is this a scale model of the yet-unreleased 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS?

By Andrew Hard Published June 18, 2014

Is this a scale model of the yet-unreleased 2015 Porsche 911 GT3 RS?

The Porsche 911 GT3 is a stripped-down, track-bred version of the legendary 911, which isn’t exactly a Camry in its own right.

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The GT3 RS, “the ultimate version of the ultimate version,” as Top Gear’s Richard Hammond describes it, takes the hardcore 911 GT3mone step further. On RS models, Porsche removes the sound deadening, rear seats, sunroof, air conditioning, and rear speakers, all in the pursuit of precision and purity. Porsche even installs lightweight, polycarbonate windows and a carbon fiber hood to shed pounds.

The Germans also historically grant a modest power bump to the RennSport GT3. For reference, the 2010 GT3 pumped out 435 horsepower from its 3.8-liter flat six; that figure increased by 15 in RS guise.

Images of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS have surfaced online at 4WheelsNews, albeit in a slightly smaller scale.

OK, so it’s a model car, but it certainly looks the part of the new RS. It’s clearly based on the current GT3, but with new wheels, brake vents on the front and aft fenders, and an enormous rear spoiler that hint at the GT3 RS’ unyielding, race-hardened attitude.

Rumors of the next generation RS’ powerplant have spread like wildfire, although nothing has been confirmed yet by Porsche. We’ve heard accounts of a turbocharged unit, however those are usually reserved for the 911 GT2. More likely is an upgraded version of the GT3’s naturally aspirated 3.8-liter flat six, but with the GT2 on thin ice and Porsche’s turbo-friendly attitude lately, your guess is as good as ours.

What we do know, however, is that the RS model will be more powerful than today’s “standard” GT3, which boasts 475 hp from its flat six and a dual-clutch gearbox. We hear rumors of 500 hp or more for the RS, but stay tuned for more details as they come out.

For now, “the ultimate version of the ultimate version” is a scale model that can sit comfortably on your desk. Sadly, that’s the closest most of us will ever get to owning one.

(Photo credit: 4WheelsNews)

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?

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Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Cars

Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack.

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Cars

Zoox recalls robotaxis after Las Vegas crash, citing software fix

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The recall, affecting 270 Zoox-built vehicles, was formally filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Zoox said the issue has already been addressed through a software update that was remotely deployed to its fleet.
Zoox’s robotaxis, which operate without driving controls like a steering wheel or pedals, are part of Amazon’s entry into the autonomous driving space. According to Zoox’s safety recall report, the vehicle failed to yield to oncoming traffic while making an unprotected left turn, leading to a low-speed collision with a regular passenger car. While damage was minor, the event raised flags about the system’s behavior in complex urban scenarios.
Establishing safety and reliability remain key factors in the deployment of the relatively new autonomous ride-hailing technology. Alphabet-owned Waymo continues to lead the sector in both safety and operational scale, with services active in multiple cities including Phoenix and San Francisco. But GM’s Cruise and Ford/VW-backed Argo AI were forced to abandon operations over the past few years.
Tesla is also expected to enter the robotaxi race with the launch of its own service in June 2025, leveraging its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. While FSD has faced heavy regulatory scrutiny through last year, safety regulations are expected to loosen under the Trump administration.
Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020, says it issued the recall voluntarily as part of its commitment to safety. “It’s essential that we remain transparent about our processes and the collective decisions we make,” the company said in a statement.