Porsche recently presented the new 911 GT3 RS — a road-legal high-performance sports car that takes full advantage of technology and concepts from motorsport.
One of the concepts that provide the Porsche 911 GT3 RS a significant improvement in performance is the central radiator concept. The idea of using a large, angled center radiator in the car’s nose was first used in the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR and subsequently, in the 911 GT3 R.
Porsche said that the new radiator layout made it possible to use the freed up space on the sides to integrate active aerodynamic elements.
In addition, continuously adjustable wing elements in the front and on the two-part rear wing — in combination with a number of other aerodynamic measures — provide 409 kilograms (kg) of downforce at 200 kilometers per hour (kph) and allows the new 911 GT3 RS to create twice as much downforce as its predecessor and three times the downforce of the current GT3.
Furthermore, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is fitted with a drag reduction system (DRS) — a technology used in motorsports and seen in cars like those used in Formula 1. The system allows the wings to be flattened out at the push of a button, within a specific operating range, thus reducing the car’s drag at higher speeds when attacking straight sections of a race track.
Conversely, it also has an airbrake function which creates an aerodynamic deceleration effect that significantly supports the wheel brakes. This can be activated during high-speed braking emergencies.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS also comes with a swan-neck-supported rear wing, made up of a fixed main wing and an upper, hydraulically adjustable wing element.
Improving its aerodynamic properties are front splitters (in lieu of a front spoiler) that divide the air flowing over and underneath, sideblades that accurately direct air outwards, and louvered openings in the front wings that provide front-wheel arch ventilation.
Even the suspension comes in for aerodynamic attention. Because the wheel arches of the new 911 GT3 RS are subject to powerful airflows, the components of the double-wishbone front axle are designed with teardrop-shaped profiles. They increase downforce on the front axle by around 40kg.
The car's driver assistance systems and rear-axle steering also have an even more dynamic set-up. It comes with three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Track. The latter, said the Stuttgart-based automotive brand, allows the individual customization of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS’ basic settings.
Among other settings, the rebound and compression damping of the front and rear axles can be adjusted separately and in several stages. The rear differential can also be adjusted via rotary controls on the steering wheel.
All the abovementioned features complement the Porsche 911 GT3 RS’ high-revving four-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. Its power mill has been further optimized and offers a slight increase in power compared to the 911 GT3. It boasts motorsport-derived technology such as the single-throttle intake system and the rigid valve drive.
The engine is mated to the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission that, when again compared to the 911 GT3, has a shorter overall gear ratio.
The setup grants the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 517 horses and a top speed of 296kph. It zooms from standstill to 100kph in just 3.2 seconds.
Stopping power comes from a pair of six-piston aluminum monobloc fixed calipers with 408-millimeter (mm) disc brakes at the front and a set of four-piston fixed-calipers with 380mm disc brakes at the rear.
Alternatively, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS can be optioned with the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) with 410mm discs at the front and 390mm discs at the rear.
For kicks, the new 911 GT3 RS comes standard with road-legal sports tires — 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear. They are wrapped around forged light-alloy center-lock wheels.
And while we’re still on the topic of optionally-available features, would-be owners of the new 911 GT3 RS can have theirs equipped with Clubsport and Weissach packages.
The former adds a steel rollover bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher, and six-point seat belts for the driver, on top of the standard interior features — all at no additional cost.
Meanwhile, the latter (at an added cost) equips the new 911 GT3 RS with a carbon-weave front lid, roof, rear wing components, and exterior mirror upper shells. Additionally, the front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods, and the shear panel on the rear axle will be replaced by carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP). It also comes with PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology.
Those taking the Weissach package can get the chance to fit their 911 GT3 RS with magnesium forged wheels.
In Germany, the new 911 GT3 RS comes with a sticker price of €229,517 — about P13 million.
Photos from Porsche
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