Porsche is once again breaking down the barrier between sports cars and race cars in the new 911 GT3 RS which celebrates its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva International Auto Show. The new 911 GT3 RS is equipped with the maximum degree of motorsport technology that is currently possible in a street-legal 911 that is suitable for everyday driving. Extensive modifications to its drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design enhance performance even more than in the 911 GT3. With a lap time of seven minutes and 20 seconds, the new 911 GT3 RS even beats the historic record value of the Carrera GT super sports car of just under seven minutes and 29 seconds on the North Loop of the Nürburgring. This once again qualifies the high-performance sports car as the benchmark in its class.
Motorsport expertise is the reason for this superior performance. The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a four-litre flat-six engine with 500 horsepower and 338 lb-ft of torque, combined with a specially developed PDK transmission. The engine, which has the largest displacement and most power of any naturally aspirated engine with direct fuel injection in the 911 family, accelerates the high-performance sports car from zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and to 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Its combined NEDC fuel consumption is 12.7 l/100 km. Functions such as declutching by "paddle neutral" – which is comparable to pressing the clutch with a conventional manual gearbox – and speed limiting by the Pit Speed button have been customized for motorsport use. They give drivers more freedom in terms of driving dynamics, while also providing them with more assistance when driving on a racetrack.
The 911 GT3 RS is a masterpiece of intelligent lightweight design. For the first time, the roof 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 about ten kilograms lighter than the 911 GT3. In addition, the lightweight roof lowers the sports car's centre of gravity, improving its excellent lateral dynamics. The 911 Turbo body signifies its status as a near race car driving machine with its RS-specific aerodynamic add-on parts. The front spoiler lip, which extends nearly to the road, and the large rear wing reinforce its dominant look.
A 30 centimetre wide recess extends centrally over the CRFP hood and the magnesium roof. This feature is a stylistic reference to the recess on the luggage compartment lid of the classic air-cooled 911 models, and today it identifies the two largest lightweight components in the 911 GT3 RS. Another characteristic is the unique front wheel arch air vents that extend into the upper section of the wings – just as in purebred motorsport cars. They increase downforce at 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 axle differential lock increase agility and dynamics, and the wider front and rear track widths enable even better roll stability than in the 911 GT3. In addition, the 911 GT3 RS comes with the widest tires of any 911 model as standard equipment. The results: 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 cur- rent 911 GT3. One key new feature is the full bucket seats, which are based on the carbon bucket seats of the 918 Spyder. The optional Sport Chrono Package features – in addition to its integrated timers – the Porsche Track Precision app for a smartphone. The Track Precision app can be used to have lap times automatically measured via GPS, and to log data on a smartphone for many driving parameters such as vehicle speed, lateral acceleration, as well as acceleration and deceleration in the driving direction. It manages this data and lets the driver share and compare with other drivers.
The 911 GT3 RS can be ordered now and will arrive at Canadian dealers this summer with pricing starting from $200,700.
