The following extraordinary details of the new 997 GT2 are taken directly from a UK customer brochure that was leaked on the internet just as we were going to press. The rear-wheel drive Turbo derivative will have a massive 530bhp at 6500rpm and an almighty 505lb ft of torque all the way from 2200 to 4500rpm. The performance figures are even more shocking: 0-60mph in 3.6sec, 0-100mph in 7.4sec and a top speed of 204mph, putting it on a level playing field with the Carrera GT. The astonishing acceleration is aided by a first for a Porsche road car – launch control. Simply depress both accelerator and clutch (six-speed close-ratio manual), wait for boost pressure to reach 13psi, then dump the clutch!

The 3.6-litre flat-six gets a revolutionary new 'expansion intake manifold' delivering cooler air to the combustion chambers, while the exhaust is titanium. Overall weight has been reduced by 145kg over the Turbo, giving a GT3-battering power to weight of 374bhp/ton. The suspension's fully adjustable like the GT3's, too. PSM stability control is fitted, but its limits are said to be high and if you turn it off it won't cut back in, even if you trigger the ABS.