The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has finally set a time around the famous 20,8-kilometre Nürburgring circuit. An impressive time around the Green Hell is the holy grail of performance motoring because it tests a car in its entirety, from the engine, gearbox, brakes, aerodynamics to the mechanical grip. The Porsche GT3 RS lapped the track at a blistering time of 6:49.32.08, with Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister at the wheel.
This was not quick enough to beat the production car record of 6:43:00 that a 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Racing components set in June 2021. The GT3 RS was 10 seconds faster than the current 911 GT3 and just a second slower than the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, which lapped the same track in 6:48.05.
The new Porsche GT3 RS has strongly emphasised the connection between the road and race car with the new aerodynamic package including active elements, along with the visible upgrades and plenty of upgrades under the wildly sculpted bodywork. Far from the first 911 GT3 RS that was released in 2011, the new and improved 2023 version showed it had so much more to offer, from the new technology, power, acceleration, weight and comfort to its insanely fast top speed.
Porsche engineers paid special attention to the detail and aerodynamics of the Porsche GT3 RS. The splitter, side blades and massive rear wing immediately stand out, The technology and well-thought-out process of diverting air over and underneath the car is very impressive, and the use of Carbon fibre-reinforced plastic makes the 911 GT3 RS very light, it weighs 1,450 kg which enhances the car’s capabilities on the track.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS has an advantage on the track amongst its rivals, offering a 4,0-litre flat-six engine that produces 386 kW of power with up to 465 N.m of torque paired to a 7-speed transmission with a top speed of 296 km/h. According to Porsche, the GT3 RS can go from 0-100 km/h in just 3,2 seconds. Before the GT3 RS came along, the leaderboard for the top five fastest production cars was as follows: Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR (6:38.835), Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (6:43.616), Lamborghini Aventador SVJ LP770-4 (6:44.97), Porsche 911 GT2 RS (6:47.25) and the Lamborghini Huracan Performante LP640-4 with a time of 6:52.01.
The GT3 RS officially makes the third-fastest production car around the ring. It’s 1,2 seconds slower than the AMG GT Black series and less than eight seconds slower than the Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR, but most impressive of all is the fact that it beat the previous-generation GT2 RS. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is now officially the fastest naturally aspirated car around the “Green Hell” beating the Aventador SVJ.
Porsche says the huge electrically adjustable rear wing and other aero devices produce a combined 860 kg of downforce at 285 km/h. The record-run RS was also equipped with the optional Weissach Package which includes lightweight forged magnesium wheels, and optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
“The Porsche 911 GT3 RS delivered what it had already promised at first glance – absolute excellence on the racetrack,” said Andreas Preuninger, Porsche’s Director of GT cars.
