Altered Carbon: Talos 911 RT

When it comes to the 911, there are track variants and then there are track variants. King of the hill is the GT3 RS with the Manthey kit. Talos however, begs to differ. Not only has the Dewsbury-based coachbuilder taken the 991 GT3 RS and replaced the entire bodywork in carbon fibre, it's also used the GT3 R as its blueprint – the competition machine with dramatically swollen arches and enhanced aero.

The suspension has been modified to suit, with Öhlins as a collaborator, and Talos have also fettled the naturally aspirated flat-six, which now develops approximately 540bhp. Over 80kg has been lost in the process, and according to the firm, the project comes with Porsche's blessing.

That process started with 3D scanning a GT3 R, and once again calling upon MCT Carbon to manufacture the results. The long-time F1 supplier also has form with low-volume, carbon-intensive road cars, including the Aston Martin Valkyrie and DBS 770 Ultimate Edition. Although Talos has not revealed any final dimensions, the GT3 R gained 122mm of overall width over its road-going counterpart.

Talos has also remained coy about how the additional power has been found from the 4.0-litre, and the press release states a torque output of 339lb ft – suggesting a 991.1 RS was used as the development car. What has been promised is a power delivery in keeping with the standard car, with the modifications concentrating on 'throttle response and mechanical engagement'. Mated to the seven-speed PDK, claimed performance is 0–62mph in 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 185mph. For those dreaming of a GT2 RS conversion, forced induction will be on the options list.

Despite the hardcore aesthetic, Talos has resisted the urge to do the same with the suspension, instead investing in increasing the RT's bandwidth. Based upon Öhlins' TTX platform, the dampers can be connected to the owner's smartphone, allowing the settings to be tailored on the fly. No mention has been made of any bespoke suspension hardware to account for the newfound width, and the position of the calipers suggests wheel offset may be doing much of the heavy lifting, the gold-finished forged magnesium wheels filling the arches convincingly.

Close up detail image of the Talos 911 RT displaying carbon weave of the new bodywork and deep dish magnesium wheels finished in gold

Interior shot of Talos 911 RT, whihc follows the 991 GT3 RS blueprint closely, offering further personalisation

It's a similar story inside, with the makeover concentrating on customisation rather than making any wholesale changes to the GT3 RS's already well-judged architecture. Materials, colours and finishes are specified with each owner, with Talos offering a bespoke tailoring programme across seating, trim and detailing.

Talos will build just 20 cars, each commissioned individually from Vanguard Works in Dewsbury. At £850,000 before donor car, and with a clean 991 GT3 RS now commanding between £180,000 and £200,000 on the open market, the 911 RT pushes comfortably into seven-figure territory. At that level, it sits in direct competition not only with the wider 911 restomod market, but with Porsche’s own Sonderwunsch programme – and the expectations attached to it. Until more details emerge, whether Talos can deliver something Zuffenhausen cannot remains an open question. Stuttgart’s blessing, however, is not a bad place to start.