Automotive

Stripped-back Porsche GT3 RS blurs the line between road and race

Stripped-back Porsche GT3 RS blurs the line between road and race
A magnesium roof helps to lower the car's center of gravity (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
A magnesium roof helps to lower the car's center of gravity (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The aero slashes behind the front wheelarches provide downforce on the front axle (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The aero slashes behind the front wheelarches provide downforce on the front axle (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
A half roll cage is also part of the RS' interior (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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A half roll cage is also part of the RS' interior (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The GT3 RS was launched alongside the new Cayman GT4
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The GT3 RS was launched alongside the new Cayman GT4
The RS' power outputs are almost identical to the figures the outgoing RS 4.0 made
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The RS' power outputs are almost identical to the figures the outgoing RS 4.0 made
The RS' wide track allows quicker, more stable turn in to corners
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The RS' wide track allows quicker, more stable turn in to corners
The GT3 RS is 5 seconds faster round Nurburgring Nordschleife than the less extreme GT3 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The GT3 RS is 5 seconds faster round Nurburgring Nordschleife than the less extreme GT3 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The door handles have been replaced by cloth pulls in the pursuit of low weight
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The door handles have been replaced by cloth pulls in the pursuit of low weight
The RS' big rear wing is a clear hint towards the car's potential
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The RS' big rear wing is a clear hint towards the car's potential
The RS' wide body comes from a 911 Turbo
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The RS' wide body comes from a 911 Turbo
The dished rear wheels are also from a GT3
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The dished rear wheels are also from a GT3
The GT3 RS closely blurs the line between road and race car
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The GT3 RS closely blurs the line between road and race car
The RS won't be cheap, with an asking price over $175,000 US
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The RS won't be cheap, with an asking price over $175,000 US
The interior looks very similar to that of the less-focused GT3
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The interior looks very similar to that of the less-focused GT3
A magnesium roof helps to lower the car's center of gravity (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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A magnesium roof helps to lower the car's center of gravity (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The dished rear wheels sit beneath the wide body from a 911 Turbo (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The dished rear wheels sit beneath the wide body from a 911 Turbo (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The GT3 RS eschews its predecessor's manual gearbox for a fast-shifting PDK unit (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The GT3 RS eschews its predecessor's manual gearbox for a fast-shifting PDK unit (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
CFRP is used for the car's bootlid (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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CFRP is used for the car's bootlid (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The prominent front splitter contributes to extra downforce (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The prominent front splitter contributes to extra downforce (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The 911's elliptical headlamps have never looked so good (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The 911's elliptical headlamps have never looked so good (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
Rear-wheel steering has made the jump from the GT3 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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Rear-wheel steering has made the jump from the GT3 (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The car's hood is also made of CFRP (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The car's hood is also made of CFRP (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
That massive rear wing provides high-speed downforce over the rear wheels (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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That massive rear wing provides high-speed downforce over the rear wheels (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The slashes behind the front wheels are pure motorsport (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
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The slashes behind the front wheels are pure motorsport (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
View gallery - 23 images

Porsche has used the 2015 Geneva Motor Show to unveil its most track-ready, stripped-back 911 yet – the 911 GT3 RS. Under the bonnet is a 4.0-liter flat six engine that develops 373 kW (500 hp) and 458 Nm (338 lb.ft), almost exactly the same amount of power and torque that the outgoing GT3 RS 4.0 made. For buyers concerned with numbers above all else, the new generation RS is 0.8 seconds faster to 60 mph, with a sprint time of 3.1 seconds on the way to a top speed of 193 mph (310 km/h). But whereas the old car put its power down via a six-speed manual gearbox, the latest RS is only being offered with a PDK double clutch gearbox. Although this will allow for even quicker laptimes and an easier ownership experience for those who want to drive their RS everyday, it also removes a layer of involvement from the driving experience that has made the RS so famous.

The car's hood is also made of CFRP (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)
The car's hood is also made of CFRP (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag.com)

PDK gearbox aside, Porsche has thrown all of its racing expertise at making the GT3 lighter. Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) has been used for the car's engine and luggage compartment hoods, and a magnesium roof saves weight and lowers the RS' center of gravity – perfect for quick, flat direction changes.

As well as the magnesium roof, Porsche's engineers have fitted the rear-wheel steering system from the GT3 and a fully variable rear differential lock, both of which will supplement the handling improvements that come with the car's wider front and rear track and big tires.

The GT3's race credentials are reinforced by the ducting and venting that is everywhere on its body. The two vents behind the front wheels provide extra downforce at the front axle, working in tandem with the jutting chin spoiler and massive rear wing sitting proud over the rear wheels for high speed downforce.

The interior looks very similar to that of the less-focused GT3
The interior looks very similar to that of the less-focused GT3

So what's the net result of all these upgrades? The GT3 RS takes just 7:20 to lap Nurburgring Nordschleife, five seconds faster than the 10 kg (22lb) heavier GT3.

The GT3 RS' interior is based on that of the standard GT3, albeit with some changes to suit the car's higher pricetag and track bias. Alcantara trimmed carbon fiber bucket seats based on the 918 Spyder's sit in front of the car's half roll cage, while the optional Sport Chrono package allows drivers to track their drives via Porsche's Track Precision app.

The GT3 RS made its debut alongside the Porsche Cayman GT4 at the Geneva Motor Show. If you like the look of the RS, you'll need US$175,900 before you can park one in the garage.

Source: Porsche

View gallery - 23 images
3 comments
3 comments
Michael Wilson
the power per liter generated has always impressed me about the GT3 series. These are numbers normally associated with a blown powerplant.
Rishabh Sharma
@Michael WIlson, we've got cars that give 200kW/L, so I don't what is so impressing about this.
Michael Wilson
This is a road driven vehicle that uses no forced induction and burns regular pump gas and also complies with all emissions regulations.
I own a vehicle making over 650whp with just 3 liters displacement and another making 450bhp using 2.3 liters. Both require great big turbos, premium fuel, with water/meth injection and/or E85.
The fact that Porsche can do it with 98 ron/93 MON and back it with a full warranty, sold to idiots who will no doubt fill it with regular fuel and drive it in varying conditions is quite impressive.