The New Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The GT3 RS – the most extreme road going Porsche 911 available. With the latest incarnation Porsche are trying to distance the standard GT3 more from the RS version, meaning although there are still the previous features like the Plexiglas rear window and the wide body kit, with the latest model the engine has seen a fifteen horsepower boost thanks to a revised induction kit, a new titanium exhaust and dynamic engine mounts. Round at the front of the car, for the first time on a GT3, there is also a wider front track to match the back. All these updates will undoubtedly make the Porsche 911 GT3 RS an even more accomplished car on the track but the question is – is it now to extreme to be a usable road car?

To get a better idea of the performance of the new GT3 RS, consider this – the car is around seven seconds faster around the Nurburgring than the standard GT3. Some of that extra speed comes from the wider track and extra engine poke, but also because the new RS weighs considerably less. The effect of the weight saving really is noticeable in driving, especially in the feel of the steering. The RS engine gets the same torque as the regular GT3 but is now tuned to deliver a higher RPM. This means you have to work the engine a little bit harder to get the performance, but this is no chore as the engine is sensational once it gets over five thousand RPM and feels a bit punchier at the top end.

The car is one of the best sounding available on the market helped in no part by the plastic rear windscreen which lets the roar into the cabin more, along with the engines single mass flywheel which provides not only a louder volume but a slightly more intricate engine note. Another big improvement on the RS over the regular GT3 is the gearbox which has the same feel but a slightly shorter ratio which, for road use makes a lot of sense, despite a sacrifice in top speed.

Overall the biggest difference in the RS comes from the bigger front track. In road driving it provides you with a little more confidence when turning into corners and if you are pushing it, gives a more balanced feel of grip between the front and rear of the car.