GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: 911 GT3 RS debuts
Porsche's formidable, extra-lightweight GT3 now available to orderExotic materials, larger engine displacement and advances in its dual-clutch transmission are the key elements of Porsche's startling 911 GT3 RS.
Based on the 3.8-litre GT3, the 4.0-litre RS model has premiered in Geneva this week, boasting 368kW and 480Nm – for a lap time of 7 minutes 20 seconds on the northern loop of the Nurburgring. That's nine seconds faster than the Carrera GT managed in its day. The GT3 RS will polish off the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.3 seconds and, Porsche claims, can reach 200km/h in 10.9 seconds.
Achieving that level of performance is in part due to the sheer engine displacement – the flat six in the RS displacing a larger volume than any naturally-aspirated/direct-injected engine in 911 history. But the acceleration times are also a function of the car's light weight, which is 10kg less than that of the standard GT3. To get there, Porsche has developed a magnesium roof for the RS, plus engine and luggage compartment panels constructed from carbon fibre.
The engine, which consumes fuel at the rate of 12.7L/100km, according to the NEDC combined-cycle test, runs through a PDK (dual-clutch) transmission to the rear wheels. This transmission, which is reported to have been tweaked specifically for the RS, provides competition-oriented features like 'paddle neutral' declutching and a Pit Speed button to limit speed in the pits. Both these features are enhanced in the RS application.
Other enhancements for the GT3 RS include a lowered front spoiler lip and large rear wing. A 30cm-wide sculpted trough in the bonnet and roof is a styling affectation unique to the RS, as are the air vents in the upper sections of the front quarter panels. According to Porsche, these vents optimise front down force.
Dynamically, the RS benefits from a lower centre of gravity (due to the magnesium roof) and driveline hardware such as rear-axle steering, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus and a diff lock. The widest tyres of any 911 variant, allied with front and rear tracks wider than the standard GT3 ensure the RS delivers "even better roll stability" and "even more agile turn-in characteristics", in Porsche's own words.
Inside, the RS adopts the carbon bucket seats of the 918 Spyder and comes as standard with the Club Sport Package, which consists of a bolt-in roll cage, preparation for a battery master switch, six-point safety harness for the driver and a fire extinguisher with mounting bracket.
Porsche Australia is now taking orders for the 911 GT3 RS, which is priced at $387,700. The prestige importer anticipates local deliveries commencing from the third quarter of 2015.
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