To say that we at NoEqual.co are Porsche fanatics is a bit of an understatement, we love these things so much that we even dedicated a whole week just to make content regarding the 911 lineup. And quite honestly, each and everyone of us in the office has a specific model that we appreciate and love. Like myself, I have been a diehard 996-generation enthusiast since I was a little boy but my colleagues think I am insane.
However, we are not here to moan about which is better but rather to unite as Porschephiles and embrace the new GT3 RS from the 992-generation. And truth be told, mixed emotions are somewhat the vibe here. All of us have a bit of an opinion regarding the new car, “wing’s too tall” “way too extreme!” “What the **** is that ugly hood vent?”, those are the words that’s been occupying in the spaces of this office.
But you have to understand one thing, Porsche has to do it whether they like it or not. The new GT3 RS is THE 911. When you have manufacturers such as Lamborghini with their Huracan STO or McLaren with their Senna, their flamboyant extremities is what sells. In a world where social media clout is what symbolizes you in the world, having a subtle car painted in grey gets you nowhere. Even if it’s a one-of-one million dollar car, no social game means you’re just another guy.
These Aren’t Just For Looks
Let’s talk about the looks, the wing in particular, it’s not all for show, mind you. The swan-neck base is a reminder that the GT3 RS is practically a race car for the road, similar to the one on the RSR. The height of the wing is in fact higher than the roof in order to get clean air, just like in Formula One.
It even features a Drag-Reduction System (DRS) for the first time, which can be activated with the click of a button while the airbrakes are activated in an event of heavy braking. Not only that, at 200km/h, the wing produces 409kg of downforce and at 285km/h, it generates 860kg. That’s practically a whole Perodua Kelisa with a driver on the wing. This is three times more downforce than the ‘regular’ GT3.
With all that aero, balance is the key of the game here as even the double-wishbone suspension can be controlled directly from the cockpit. Now with a 29mm wider track, the front axle can be adjusted to increase downforce by 40kg.
It really is a racecar for the road, the rear differential can also be adjusted via rotary controls on the steering wheel. This is done quickly and intuitively with an operating and display concept also borrowed from their motorsport know-how. Not to mention, the GT3 RS comes with a carbon fiber roll cage.
With all the carbon fiber components, the 911 GT3 RS weighs in at only 1,450 kg.
The Ultimate Hardcore 911
While the livery is a nod to the first generation GT3 RS, the 996, which too resembles the old Carrera 2.7 RS, the bodykit however is far from subtle. Personally, the cutout sideblades for the fender is what gets me the most but to each their own. The front louvers, which are now a permanent RS feature, is there in order to reduce pressure in the fenders. The front end now too has an active aero element that assists with the overall downforce by dividing air over and underneath the car.
The hood vents or ‘boomerangs’ however play a crucial role as Porsche incorporated three radiators at an angle mounted in what used to be the cargo area. They could have designed better, no? They do however cut an additional 7kg. And this being an RS, the boffins at Porsche were anal on cutting down every gram of weight that they can, as even the door skins are carbon fiber too now. And as Weissach packages go, magnesium wheels are included.
This was the goal of the GT3 RS, making sure how efficiently the body is capable of cutting through drag. That being said, the engine is no slouch either even though it doesn’t have 700hp on tap. In fact, it ‘only’ has 518hp, a mere 15hp gain from the ‘regular’ GT3. This is thanks to a new camshaft profile that is made specific for the GT3 RS, further fine-tuning the performance of the race-proven 4.0-litre flat-six. In the end, the GT3 RS remains the thoroughbred that it has always been.
The GT3 RS still remains as a PDK-exclusive but Porsche has given the gearbox a shorter gear ratio as compared to the GT3. They have also included an air intake on the underbody for the transmission to withstand extreme loads on the track. The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 296 km/h in seventh gear.
Everything Is An Option, If You’d Like
Aluminium monobloc fixed-calliper brakes with six pistons each and brake discs with a diameter of 408 mm are used on the front axle. Compared with the 911 GT3, the piston diameters have been increased from 30 to 32 mm. In addition, the thickness of the discs has been increased from 34 to 36 mm. The rear axle continues to be fitted with 380-mm brake discs and four-piston fixed-calliper brakes.
You could opt for the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) which has 410-mm discs on the front axle and 390-mm discs on the rear axle. The new 911 GT3 RS comes standard with forged light-alloy centre-lock wheels. Road-legal sports tyres measuring 275/35 R 20 at the front and 335/30 R21
Typical RS styling, everything is black on the inside, black leather, Racetex and carbon-weave finish. The 911 GT3 RS is available with the Clubsport package at no extra cost. This includes a steel rollover bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and six-point seat belts for the driver.
The Weissach Package
The Weissach however is an optional extra. But the option does include a 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 contribute to a further enhancement of the driving dynamics.
PDK paddle shifters do include motorsport-derived magnet technology, which provides a more dynamic clicks. The rollover bar, constructed for the first time from CFRP, saves around six kilograms compared with the steel version. Optionally available with the Weissach package are magnesium forged wheels, which save another eight kilograms. You could get a Porsche Design Chronograph wristwatch to match the car if you want.
No Nürburgring Timing For Now, But We’re Not Doubting
No matter how much you wanna moan about the new GT3 RS, it’s undoubtedly the epitome of a modern 911 and considering how strict emissions are nowadays, it’s rather insane how Porsche managed to pull off something like this, in this day and age. While facts and figures do explain a lot in detail, a record-breaking lap time tells you everything you need to know about a car like the Porsche GT3 RS. But then again, the prices do start at €229,517. Can’t imagine how much it’ll be here when it reaches our shores.Written by | Danial Malek
Images by | Porsche
