Let’s get it out of the way: the new 911 GT3 RS laps the Nurburgring in 7min and 20 secs dead; 9 seconds faster than the Carrera GT and 5 seconds less than the ‘regular’ 991 GT3.
Let that sink for a moment. The 911 GT3 RS is powered by a 4.0-litre, naturally aspirated flat six engine, producing 500hp and 460Nm (338lb.ft) of torque, which is mated to a seven speed PDK transmission. 0-62mph (0-100km/h) comes in 3.3 seconds and 0-124mph (0-200km/h) in 10.9, a quite spectacular set of performance figures for a 500hp sports car.
The double clutch transmission retains the de-clutching function from the GT3, which imitates the depressing of the clutch in a manual gearbox by pulling both paddles, but it’s now customized for ‘motorsport use’ according to Porsche along with a ‘Pit Speed’ function that limits the speed when you driving along the pit lane.
The new GT3 RS manages to shed 10kg out of its weight compared to a normal GT3 by using lightweight solutions such as a magnesium roof panel, thus lowering the centre of gravity and engine and luggage compartment lids made out of carbon fibre. The bodyshell is derived from the 911 Turbo, complete with the wide arches and all, and features several aerodynamic components, specific for the GT3 RS. These include the front spoiler lip, the large rear wing and the unique front wheel arch air vents – a pure motorsport solution in order to increase downforce on the front axle.
Featuring wider tracks, front and rear, the new GT3 RS takes an even bigger advantage of the rear-axle steering we first saw in the GT3 while the Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear limited slip differential further improves the agility and handling characteristics. Porsche says that it has equipped the new GT3 RS with the widest tyres of any 911 ever wore as standard.
The seats are based on the carbonfibre buckets of the 918 Spyder and the interior is full of all the Alcantara you could ask for. The Club Sport Package is standard, featuring a bolted-in roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, fire extinguisher with a mounting bracket and a six-point harness for the driver.
The optional Sports Chrono Package now features the Porsche Track Precision app for the driver’s smartphone and uses GPS to measure lap times, providing additional data like vehicle speed, lateral acceleration as well as acceleration and deceleration in the driving direction.
The new 911 GT3 RS is available now in Europe, priced at £131,296 for the UK and $175,900 for the US, where it will be launched in early July.
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