Clad in a monster bodykit...

Clad in a monster bodykit and painted all black, this development car is so menacing it wouldn"t look out of place on a Batman film set. And the good news for fans is that when the third generation of Porsche"s most exciting 911 arrives here next year, it will be virtually unchanged.

With a front spoiler sitting inches from the road, low side skirts and bulging wheelarches, plus twin exhaust pipes emerging from the centre of the rear bumper, the new GT3 is much more dramatic than its predecessor. Expect Porsche to raise the stakes when it comes to weight reduction, too, with lightweight materials for many body panels, including the huge rear wing. Inside, the rear seats have been removed, while up front there"s a pair of racing buckets with full harnesses.

With lower weight and a power output of 400bhp from the 3.6-litre flat-six engine - an increase of 20bhp over the standard car - the new GT3 should manage 0-60mph in less than 4.5 seconds, and will accelerate on to a top speed of 185mph.

Engineers have been working hard on the suspension, too, with stiffer springs and dampers, along with a lower ride height, so there will be higher levels of grip and even sharper handling. The new 911 GT3 is likely to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with UK sales starting in the summer. Prices are expected to kick off at around н‚бЈ75,000.