Porsche’s stable is home to one of the most illustrious nameplates within the automotive world and contends with some of the most high-performing badges out there. Appearing clad in obtrusive camouflage and altered frames for months on end, the latest addition to the RennSport has been unveiled to the world and what a joy it is to finally feast on the beauty of the 911 GT3 RS.
The RS badge signifies an inclination toward full-tilt track driving, which the 992 generations of the GT3 RS nameplate come fully prepared. A big focus seems placed on the aerodynamic qualities of the GT3 RS instead of power/engine adjustments.
Aero galore! Spy shots over the last few months have been unsuccessful in showing the full scope of the curves of 911 GT3 RS, but one thing camo and tape cant hidé is that massive swan-neck rear wing. Adopting Formula 1 tech, the split active rear wing uses a Drag Reduction System (DRS) able to function as an airbrake and folds to provide maximum drag. The Formula 1 tech doesn’t stop there.
On the underside of the car’s nose are two flaps serving a similar function to that of the billboard-sized rear wing. Complimenting these flaps is the firm’s newly developed mono radiator which aids in the flow of air toward the rear of the car. Porsche has also abandoned the three radiator layout in exchange for a large angled centred radiator supported by the two air inlets found on the bonnet – where the boot space would be found on the 911 GT3. No more boot space on the front but more performance and cooling is a standoff buyers should be able to live with.
1500 simulations and 250 hours of wind tunnel testing have resulted in ludicrous amounts of downforce generation capabilities. Porsche claims that the GT3 RS creates 406 kg of downforce at 200 km/h, and that figure is more than doubled at speeds exceeding 285 km/h, which Porsche claims is around 860 kg. The meticulous attention to aerodynamic performance has resulted in the GT3 RS gaining an air inlet behind the front wheels feeding into the contoured carbon fibre doors of the GT3 RS.
Two blades on the car’s roof are also among the 992-gen RS goodies, which serve as a means to direct air flowing over the car outward. As your eyes dance across the GT3 RS’s figure, an absence of fake vents becomes evident, which is another indicator of its all business no games design. Lightweight carbon elements range from the ducktail spoiler to the roof, doors, bonnet, and front fenders and even elements are composed of CFRP, which aid in the car’s incredible kerb weight of 1450 KG.
At the heart of this agile roadrunner is a 4,0-litre flat-six motor similar to the one found in the 911 GT3, just with a few internal changes such as new camshafts coupled with new cam profiles, motorsport-inspired single intake system and valve drive culmination into a beating flat-six heart with a power output of 386 kW able to propel the GT3 RS from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
Alongside a bump in power comes a 9000 rpm rev limit and the ability to produce more power at higher rpm. The brutish motor is mated to the firm’s signature 7-speed PDK transmission, which thanks to the air inlets on the car’s underside, can handle extreme pressure. Equivalent to an Olympic sprinter, the GT3 RS is as capable of stopping as it is at going. Six-piston monoblock callipers on the front mated to 408mm discs coupled with four-piston callipers and 380 mm discs on the rear.
The interior of the 911 GT3 RS closely resembles that of the recently unveiled 911 R. Roll-cage, six-point harness, and carbon fibre bucket seats are expected, but the level of control availed through the steering wheel is especially noteworthy. As a driver, you’re able to have complete adjustability of the suspension stiffness and damping character, traction control intensity, and differential power distribution, further blurring the line between this road-legal 911 GT3 RS and the track homologated 911 GT3 R.
As many of the Stuttgart-based firms are in line with the idea of the idiom “bang for your buck” even though they’re often within the range of a couple million, the GT3 RS is undoubtedly the most fitting example. The 911 GT3 RS has an asking price of R 4 153 000 – the deal is sweetened by the knowledge that it comes standard with the Clubsport package– and a 3 year/100 000km drive plan.
Those undeterred by the seven-figure asking price can expect deliveries to begin early next year.