Porsche 911 GT3's 'RS' Overlord Debuts in Geneva | Porsche

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The RS That Surpasses the 911 GT3 Debuts in Geneva

Porsche has unveiled the "911 GT3 RS," the pinnacle of the 911 family, at the Geneva Motor Show currently underway.

Text by AKIZUKI Shinichiro (OPENERS)

The Most Powerful 911 Road-Going Model

Unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, which opened on March 3rd, Porsche's latest weapon, the "911 GT3 RS," was developed as the flagship model of the 911 family for road use, boasting performance that surpasses the earlier released "911 GT3".

Porsche claims that the 911 GT3 RS "introduces the best motorsport technology currently conceivable." It is endowed with the largest displacement and power for a naturally aspirated direct-injection engine in the 911 lineup. The 4-liter, 6-cylinder engine produces a maximum output of 500 ps (368 kW), an increase of 25 ps over the 911 GT3, and a maximum torque of 460 Nm, an increase of 20 Nm.

The transmission is a specially developed PDK (dual-clutch), enabling a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.3 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the 911 GT3. On the Nürburgring Nordschleife, it achieves a lap time of 7 minutes 20 seconds, surpassing the 7 minutes 29 seconds set by the supercar "Carrera GT."

Porsche proudly states that with this performance, the 911 GT3 RS will "once again break down the wall between road-going sports cars and racing cars." This was made possible not only by improvements to the powertrain but also by aerodynamic optimization and thorough weight reduction.

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The RS That Surpasses the 911 GT3 Debuts in Geneva

While developed based on the 911 GT3, the 911 GT3 RS features an aluminum body inherited from the 911 Turbo. The roof utilizes magnesium, a first for the company, and carbon fiber is extensively used for the engine hood and front lid. This not only achieves a weight reduction of approximately 10 kg compared to the 911 GT3 but also successfully lowers the center of gravity.

Furthermore, the front lip spoiler extends to just above the road surface, and a large rear wing and other RS-specific parts are fitted, elevating the aerodynamics to a level extremely close to that of a racing car. Additionally, air exhaust vents are incorporated above the wheel arches that flare towards the front fenders, reportedly increasing downforce on the front axle.

The body dimensions of the 911 GT3 RS are 4,545 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,290 mm in height. The tires fitted as standard are the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, the widest size available in the 911 series.

The interior adheres to the 911 GT3's design, featuring full bucket seats with Alcantara upholstery on carbon fiber shells from the "918 Spyder." The standard Clubsport package includes a bolt-on rear roll cage behind the front seats and parts for the battery master switch. A 6-point driver's seatbelt and a fire extinguisher with its bracket are also available separately.

In Japan, reservations for the 911 GT3 RS began on Monday, March 23, 2015, at all authorized Porsche dealerships nationwide. The price is 25.3 million yen, available only in left-hand drive.