The Last Production Porsche Model To Feature The Iconic Mezger Flat Six Engine - Storyboard

Hans Mezger started and ended his career as an engine builder, at Porsche, making the most successful Porsche engines in motorsports

Most Mezger engines were air-cooled,but the Swan Song was a 4.0-liter, water-cooled M97.74

The last Mezger engine was made specifically for the most hardcore, naturally-aspirated Porsche 997 - the GT3 RS 4.0

At 2,998 lbs, the Porche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 was a lightweight as the analog 996 GT3 RS, but with more power

The last Mezger engine produced 493 hp at 8,250 RPM and 339 lb-ft at 5,750 RPM

997 GT3 RS 4.0 is also the last 911 GT3 model offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission

Even with the aggressive aero bits, the Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 reaches a top speed of 190 mph

With a 0 to 60 mph achieved in around 4.0 seconds, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 can shame many modern performance cars in a straight line. Even more on a track

The first Porsche 911 to feature center-lock wheels as standard

The 4.0 badge returned with the 2016 911 GT3 RS, but it didn't have a Mezger engine

Despite many innovations, the new engine did not produce more power

Hans Mezger's last creation is one considered the purest Porsche 911 GT3 of all time, making the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 one of he best investments for those who have one

Just 600 units of the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 were built between 2011 and 2012. Just 141 were originally sold in the U.S.