Rediscover the Haunting Sound of Porsche's Cancelled V10 Le Mans Prototype

The One That Got Away: Porsche’s 9R3 LMP2000, Unleashed at Last

As the baseball playoffs heat up, I’m reminded of the what-ifs of motorsports. What if Audi had stuck with the R8? What if Porsche had delivered on the 9R3 LMP2000? The latter, in particular, is a fascinating tale of almost-was, a car that never got to show its potential.

The 9R3, code-named "LMP2000," was born in the late 1990s, with a 3.2-liter flat-six engine initially planned. But Porsche quickly realized that the engine was too heavy and underpowered for its intended class. So, they repurposed a 3.5-liter Formula 1 V10 engine, with plans to increase capacity to 5.0 or 5.5 liters. This engine, by the way, later powered the Carrera GT, a testament to the efficiency of Porsche’s engineering.

The 9R3 never made it to the starting line of the 2000 Le Mans, and its development was reportedly halted in favor of the Cayenne, Porsche’s first SUV. The LMP2000’s existence was kept under wraps until 2018, when it made its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

However, the 9R3’s story gained new life recently, thanks to a test run at the Porsche Weissach test track. Three-time Le Mans winner Allan McNish was behind the wheel, blasting the V10-powered beast. The sound of its engine is truly something to behold.

While we may never know the full story behind the 9R3’s cancellation, we do know that its existence is a testament to Porsche’s innovative spirit. Who knows what could have been if they had pushed forward with the project?

A Closer Look at the 9R3 LMP2000