Following the release of the face-lifted Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models late last year, as well as the new Targa and GT3, and then just earlier this month the new 911 Turbo, come the official details and images for the updated 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its race-bred GT3 RS, opting to focus on changes taking place under the mildly-revised sheet metal instead.

Described as the “the most sporting 911 yet”, the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS comes into the world with the same 3.8-liter naturally aspirated flat six as the regular GT3 but with a healthier 444 horsepower – 35 horsepower up on the outgoing model, and 15 horsepower more than the new GT3. More power, less weight and shorter transmission ratios mean the new RS should be decidedly more aggressive on-track.

The high-revving engine has a specific output of more than 113 horsepower per liter and comes mated to a low-ratio, short-shift six-speed manual gearbox.

Some of the other important changes for the new GT3 RS includes a wider track, both front and rear, as well as an over-sized carbon-fiber GT wing with exposed aluminum supports. To reduce weight even further than the already lithe 2009 model, Porsche engineers have fitted a lithium-ion battery, resulting in a 22-pound weight savings.

The new wider front and rear track is a first for the GT3 RS, and accordingly the wheel arches have been extended to cover the wider stance. Nineteen by nine-inch wide wheels up front and 12-inch wide units in the rear are wrapped in 245/45 and 325/30 Z-rated rubber, respectively.

Sales of the new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS start in Germany in January, 2010, with a base price in Europe of €122,400 or about $173,000. Launch dates and pricing for the U.S. haven't been announced.

_______________________________________

Follow Motor Authority on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.