The refreshed Porsche 911 GT3 RS has arrived, and it's green. Specifically, Lizard Green. We're not accustomed to Porsche painting any of its cars green, let alone one of its most hardcore 911s of all time. Is there a reason for this? Is Porsche trying to tell us something? Or are we reading too much into it? Mercedes wasn't shy about telling the world, and especially Stuttgart, that it had set the Nurburgring record with the Mercedes-AMG GT R. So is Porsche plotting to beat its time with the GT3 RS?

Remember, the Porsche 911 GT2 RS already holds the Nurburgring lap record time, taking that title from the Lamborghini Huracan Performante. So why would Porsche even be interested in challenging its Mercedes-AMG rival? Because the 911 GT3 RS and AMG GT R are more closely aligned, generally speaking. Unlike the GT2 RS, which is far more limited in production and more expensive (by around $100 grand), the GT3 RS is much easier to live with on a day-to-day basis, just like the AMG GT R. You can take both to the track, drive the hell out of them, and will be gentle on the ride home. Okay, so the AMG GT R did a verified 'Ring lap time of 7:10.92, while the 991 911 GT3 RS clocked in at 7:20, but that was back in 2015.

Heck, the also recently updated 991.2 GT3 lapped the 'Ring in 7:12.7. The 911 GT2 RS? 6:47.25. Get our point? The GT3 RS and GT2 RS are slightly different track beasts. Take a look back at the history books and you'll notice that in 1973 there was the iconic Porsche 911 RS, a very impressive Nurburgring performer for its time. It was also painted Viper Green. Could the 991.2 911 GT3 RSs new paint shade be an homage to the coupe launched 45 years ago? Possibly. Then again, maybe Porsche just wanted to debut a cool new color. We won't know for sure what Porsche has in mind until at least May once winter is finally over and track conditions improve.