The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS makes no secret of its intentions: it is uncompromisingly designed for maximum performance. The 386kW road-legal high-performance sports car takes full advantage of technology and concepts from motorsport.
Even beyond the high-revving naturally aspirated engine with racing DNA and intelligent lightweight construction, it is, above all, the cooling and aerodynamic systems of the 911 GT3 RS that connect it most directly with its motorsport brother, the 911 GT3 R.
The basis for a significant performance boost is a central radiator – replacing the traditional three-radiator layout – an idea that was first used in the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR and subsequently in the 911 GT3 R.
Utilising the spot where the luggage compartment is on other 911 models, this has made it possible to use the space freed up on the sides to integrate active aerodynamic elements, including continuously adjustable wing elements in the front and on the two-part rear wing.
This means that the new 911 GT3 RS generates twice as much downforce as its 991.2-generation predecessor and three times as much as a current 911 GT3. At 285km/h on the track, total downforce is 860kg. A drag reduction system is also fitted.
The look of the new 911 GT3 RS is characterised by the swan-neck-supported rear wing, which is higher than the roof for the first time ever (on a production model), while the front spoiler is gone, replaced by a splitter that divides the air flowing over and underneath.
Side blades accurately direct air outwards. Front wheel arch ventilation is provided via louvred openings in the front wings. Inlets behind the front wheels, in the style of the iconic Le Mans-winning 911 GT1, reduce the dynamic pressure in the wheel arches.
There are aerodynamic aids everywhere, all of them designed with a purpose, and all of them real. Even the suspension comes in for aero attention, with the double-wishbone front axle featuring a teardrop profile to support air flow from the wheel arches.
Driver assistance systems and rear-axle steering are also more dynamic. There are three driving modes too: Normal, Sport and Track, and each makes significant changes to everything from compression damping to the rear diff, and even drag reduction.
We could go on about how awesome the new Porsche is, and how it’s a race car for the road, but let’s move on to the 4.0-litre high-revving naturally aspirated engine that delivers 386kW, punched through a 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission.
The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 296km/h. 408mm brake discs and aluminium monobloc fixed-calliper brakes with six pistons feature on the front, with 380mm discs on the rear.
These are locked to four-piston fixed-calliper brakes. Ceramic composite brakes with 410mm front and 390mm rear discs, are available as an option. Inside, the new Porsche performance icon features pure RS styling.
Black leather, Race-Tex and Carbon-weave finishes characterise the purist, sporting ambience. A Club Sport Package (at no extra cost) adds a steel rollover bar, hand-held fire extinguisher and six-point seat belts for the driver.
The Weissach Package, which is available at extra cost, involves considerably more Porsche goodness. The front lid, roof, parts of the rear wing and the upper shell of the exterior mirrors feature a Carbon-weave finish.
The front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods and the shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP and enhance driving dynamics. PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology make gear changes even more dynamic.
In Australia, the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will additionally be equipped with tinted LED main headlights with dynamic lighting, auto dimming rain sensing mirrors, a front-axle lift system, rear park assist, a reversing camera, and digital radio.
The new 911 GT3 RS is available for order now and starts at $500,200 plus on-roads. Australian deliveries are expected to commence from the second quarter of 2023. Purchasers will also receive an exclusive Porsche Design chronograph watch.
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