LA MOTOR SHOW: Porsche 911 RSR teased

Moving an engine half a dozen centimetres may not sound like a big deal, but if Porsche does indeed transform the 911 RSR race car into a mid-engined beast as many have speculated, it could live up to the company's declaration it will be "the most spectacular 911 ever".

The German sports car company has revealed a new teaser sketch of the 911 RSR ahead of its debut at LA motor show this week, along with a short press statement claiming the car will debut "yet another world innovation".

If the new Porsche does employ a mid-mounted engine, it could have ramifications for production models. And who knows, perhaps road-going 911s of the future will cop mid-mount engines too?

Making its world premiere at the 2016 Los Angeles motor show at 5:00am Thursday Australian time (10:00am Wednesday LA time), the sketch of Porsche's latest GT race car reveals a goose-neck rear wing and extreme ground-effects bodywork to improve downforce, such as an extended rear diffuser and front splitter.

The wild new Porsche 911 RSR race car can be expected to feature a wide-body kit too.

It's not clear what engine will be pumping away beneath the RSR's swoopy bodywork, but a flat six-cylinder engine, most likely turbocharged and bristling with power, is expected.

Porsche's "most spectacular 911 ever" will eschew a centrally-mounted exhaust for dual pipes now, so clearly powertrain fettling has been undertaken. Just exactly how much mumbo it will develop will be a secret until Thursday.

The car is expected to make its track debut at the Daytona 24 Hours race in January 2017 and is eligible for racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) including the Le Mans 24 Hours, along with several other regional Le Mans-inspired series.

Porsche will also show off its new extended wheelbase versions of the Panamera four-door grand tourer. Dubbed the Panamera Executive, it rides on a 150mm longer wheelbase than regular models, affording occupants more interior space to stretch out. It will offered in the USA and China, but not in Australia.