Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS one of brand’s fastest road registerable cars
BY PETER BARNWELL
GOOD luck trying to get one of these as the Australian allocation of Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS is probably all on order for delivery mid-next-year, but the car remains one of the world’s most dream-worthy especially if you like track driving or racing.
Despite being road registerable, it’s damn competitive straight out of the box requiring only tyre pressure adjustment and all fluids topped up. Then off you go, dicing with Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. As if!
The GT3 RS is as serious about lap times as a 911 can get and still be registered. It looks insane, like a video-game race car in the metal.
They cost a bomb here at $500,200 plus on roads but you could always buy a US spec’ RS for $US321,000 and import it here as long as you don’t mind left-hand drive… same car.
We can’t figure out the price differential of $180,000 between US spec’ RS and Aussie spec’ models. Perhaps it’s more expensive to make right hand-drive cars…
The scintillating race-bred road car pumps out a whopping 386kW and 470Nm from its high-revving atmo’ 4.0-litre flat-six, promising a 0-100km/h time of just 3.2 seconds and a V-max just shy of 300km/h all to the accompaniment of an intoxicating soundtrack.
The RS costs a cool $111,600 more than the regular GT3 and is not the most expensive model in the 911 line-up, although it is arguably the most desirable.
Coinciding with the unveiling of the GT3 RS are price rises across the 911 range of between $17,800 and $26,300 depending on variant.
Australia’s 911 model range now commences at $259,100 plus ORCs for the entry-grade 911 Carrera PDK and tops out at $527,500 plus ORCs for the 911 Turbo S Cabriolet PDK.
Combining technical highlights from Porsche’s highly respected motorsports program, the 911 GT3 RS utilises lightweight construction with finely tuned aerodynamics to provide a close connection with its track-only sibling, the 911 GT3 R.
A front-mounted radiator, which consumes the space usually occupied by the luggage compartment, handles cooling duties for the 911 GT3 RS, freeing up room on the vehicle’s sides for active aerodynamic elements that work in unison with a two-part rear spoiler and adjustable front wing sections.
Porsche says that combined, these aerodynamic advancements can provide up to 409kg of downforce at 200km/h – rising to 860kg at 285km/h – meaning the model generates twice as much downforce as its 991.2-generation predecessor and three times as much as the current 911 GT3.
The 911 GT3 RS is further equipped with a drag reduction system to make it more aerodynamic at higher speeds, the system flattening the car’s profile at the push of a button (within a specific operating range). The outrageous rear wing’s drag-reduction system is similar to those on Formula 1 race cars.
Its aerodynamic elements can also serve to provide additional deceleration during emergency braking from high speeds.
As well as these prominent aerodynamic elements, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is further characterised by side blades that serve to direct air outwards, louvered openings to ventilate the front wheel arches, inlets behind the front wheels to reduce dynamic pressure in the wheel arches, nostrils in the bonnet to extract air from the radiator, openings in the rear side panels to balance air flow, and a model-specific rear diffuser adapted from the 911 GT3.
The complex aerodynamic workings of the 911 GT3 RS are complemented dutifully by the teardrop-shaped profiles of the front axle’s double wishbone arrangement, which is said to increase downforce on the front axle by a staggering 40kg. The front track of the 911 GT3 RS is 29mm wider than that of the 911 GT3 and the front axle links are widened accordingly.
Porsche says it has worked to ensure the downforce balance between front and rear axles is maintained even when braking from “very high speeds”, reducing pitching under hard brake applications, as well as modifying the spring rates of the multi-link rear-end accordingly.
The front ball joint of the lower trailing arm has been set even lower on the front axle, providing a more dynamic steering effect.
Of course, the 911 GT3 RS is offered with multiple drive modes (Normal, Sport and Track), the latter offering extensive individual adjustment – including over the dampers’ rebound and compression rates.
The model also features the same dual 7.0-inch track displays as found in the 911 GT3, the contents of which are again customisable by the driver.
At the heart of the 911 GT3 RS is Porsche’s coveted 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six, which Porsche says is further optimised when compared with the 911 GT3.
The increase in power (to 386kW) is achieved primarily via reprofiled camshafts, while the single throttle intake and its rigid valve drive system are once more “motorsport derived”.
The 911 GT3 RS is fitted exclusively with the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) dual-clutch transmission, which offers a shorter overall ratio set than that found in the 911 GT3.
Porsche says the transmission can “withstand even extreme loads during frequent use on track” and helps propel the car from standstill to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 296km/h.
Stopping duties fall to aluminium monobloc fixed callipers with six pistons clamping 408mm rotors on the front axle. Piston diameters are 2mm larger (now 32mm) when compared to the 911 GT3 and the rotors also 2mm thicker (now 36mm). The rear axle continues to be arrested by the 380mm rotors and four-piston callipers as found on the 911 GT3.
Optional carbon composite brakes feature 410mm rotors at the front and 390mm discs up back.
The 911 GT3 RS rides as standard on lightweight forged alloy centrelock wheels shod with “road legal sports tyres” measuring 275/35 R20 at the front and 335/30 R21 at the rear.
Following the principles first demonstrated in the 911 Carrera RS 2.7 half a century ago, the 911 GT3 RS has undergone some comprehensive weight-reduction compared with a regular 911.
Widespread use of carbon-fibre includes the doors, front wings, roof and bonnet, as well as the interior’s full bucket seats. Porsche says the 911 GT3 RS tips the scales at just 1450kg (kerb).
The interior of the 911 GT3 RS is upholstered with black leather, race-tex and carbon-weave finishes, and is available with Porsche’s Club Sport Package as a no-cost option. The package includes a steel roll bar, hand-held fire extinguisher and a six-point harness for the driver.
Australian-delivered Porsche 911 GT3 RS models will be further equipped with tinted LED main headlights featuring the Porsche Dynamic Light System, self-dimming mirrors, rain sensor, front axle lift system, rear park assist, a reversing camera, tyre repair kit (sealant) and DAB+ digital radio reception.
Available optionally – and for an undisclosed price – the Weissach Package sees the 911 GT3 RS fitted out with the bonnet, roof, parts of the rear wing and upper shell of the wing mirrors in a carbon-weave finish.
The front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods and the shear panel on the rear axle are also made of carbon-fibre and “contribute to a further enhancement of the driving dynamics”, Porsche says.
The option package also includes a carbon-fibre roll cage for the first time, saving significant 6kg over the steel version, plus magnesium forged alloy wheels that trim a further 8kg from the overall package. Magnet-type paddle-shifters are also fitted.
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