It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Porsche 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 RS posses two of the finest engines currently on the market.
Both the current GT3 and GT3 RS have 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-sixes, with 493 and 513 hp respectively. The GT3 RS may only have a slight power advantage over its sibling, but it is much more hardcore thanks to revised aerodynamics and a weight-saving regime that make it blisteringly fast on a race track.
However, down a drag strip, does the GT3 RS have the same performance advantage over the ‘regular’ GT3?
The video below shows a white GT3 lining up against a silver GT3 RS for a series of drag races on a sticky track. In the two drag races held, both Porsches got picture perfect launches and accelerated down the drag strip at virtually identical speeds. By the time the duo crossed the finish line on the first race, the GT3 had a slight advantage.
In the second race, however, the GT3 RS came out on top with a time of 10.85 seconds at 127.09 mph (205.53 km/h) compared to the 10.965-second sprint and 127.07 mph (204.49 km/h) trap speed of the GT3. In a separate run, the GT3 RS set a blistering 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time of 2.7 seconds.
So, what this video shows is that the two driver-focused 911s are quite evenly matched in a straight line, and any differences are practically insignificant. Thus, unless you frequent race tracks, where the even more focused chassis can shine, perhaps you’re better of with the “plain” (and more affordable) GT3. However, if you have the means, we’re pretty sure you’d go for the RS; we know we would.