The Porsche 911 GT3 RS has just celebrated world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show.
The much awaited model once again blurs the boundary between road-going sports cars and race cars. It is equipped with the maximum degree of motorsport technology currently possible in a street-legal 911, yet retains supreme suitability for everyday driving.
As befits the tradition at Porsche, motorsport expertise is the reason for this superior performance. The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-liter 6-cylinder engine with 500 hp and 460 Nm of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally-aspirated power unit with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the high-performance sports car from 0-100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and on to 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Combined NEDC fuel consumption is 22.2 mpg.
The 911 GT3 RS is also a masterpiece of intelligent lightweight design. For the first time, the roof panel is made of magnesium; carbon fibre is used for the engine and luggage compartment lids, and other lightweight components are made of alternative materials. This makes the RS model around 10 kg lighter than the 911 GT3. In addition, the lightweight roof lowers the sports car's centre of gravity which improves its excellent lateral dynamic reponses. The distinctive, wide-arched bodyshell is derived from the 911 Turbo, and it signifies its status as a race track-oriented driving machine with a number of RS-specific aerodynamic add-on components. The front spoiler lip, which extends nearly to the road, and the large rear wing, reinforce its dominant look.
The front luggage compartment lid features a unique contoured surface structure, a strip-like 30 cm wide recess which runs upwards through the middle of the CFRP bonnet and the magnesium roof. This styling cue is reminiscent of the similar feature that was a tradition on the front lid of classic 911 models with air-cooled engines; today, it identifies the two largest lightweight components of the 911 GT3 RS.
Another striking characteristic are the unique front wheel arch air vents that extend into the upper section of the wings - just like a pure-bred race car. Again, as is traditional at Porsche, form follows function and this feature increases downforce on the front axle.
The chassis of the 911 GT3 RS has been tuned for maximum driving dynamics and precision. Rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear limited slip differential increase agility and dynamics, and the wider front and rear track widths enable even higher roll stability than in the 911 GT3.
In addition, the 911 GT3 RS features the widest tyres of any 911 model as standard. The result: even more agile turn-in characteristics and even higher cornering speeds.
The interior design of the 911 GT3 RS with Alcantara elements is based on the current 911 GT3. Another key feature are the sports seats, which are now based on the carbonfibre ‘bucket’ seats of the 918 Spyder super sports car. Other standard features are the Club Sport Package with a bolted-in roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, and a separately provided six-point safety harness for the driver and fire extinguisher with mounting bracket.
The new 911 GT3 RS is available to order now from Porsche Centres in the UK and Ireland priced from £131,296. First cars arrive in showrooms during May.
