This road-legal 386 kW (525 hp) high-performance sports car consistently uses motorsport technologies and principles. In addition to the high-revving naturally aspirated engine with racing DNA, the result of intelligent lightweight construction, the proof of its direct kinship with the 911 GT3 R, its motorsport sister, lies above all in its cooling and aerodynamics concept. .
The central cooler concept, first used on the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR and subsequently on the 911 GT3 R, is the basis for this significant performance improvement. Instead of the three radiators used up to now, the new 911 GT3 RS relies on a large inclined central cooler, at the front of the vehicle. It is placed where the trunk is on the other 911 models. The side space freed up could thus be used to integrate active aerodynamic elements.
Infinitely adjustable wing elements at the front as well as on the split rear wing, combined with numerous other aerodynamic measures, ensure a total downforce of 409 kg at 200 km/h. The new 911 GT3 RS thus generates twice as much lift as its predecessor (type 991 II), and three times more than a current 911 GT3. At 285 km/h, the total downforce amounts to 860 kg.
This is the first time that a drag reduction system (DRS) has been fitted to a production Porsche. With the push of a button, DRS flattens the fins within a set working range to minimize air resistance and increase speed on straight sections. Emergency braking at high speed activates the Airbrake function: front and rear fins are raised to the maximum, thus generating an aerodynamic deceleration which considerably favors the braking of the wheels.
The body design of the new 911 GT3 RS is marked by its large number of aerodynamic elements. The most striking feature of this GT sports car is its gooseneck suspension rear wing, all dimensions of which have increased significantly. It consists of a fixed main fin and a hydraulically adjustable top element.
For the first time on a production Porsche car, the upper edge of the rear spoiler is higher than the roof. In addition, on the front bumper of the 911 GT3 RS, the spoiler is replaced by a « splitter » which distributes the flow of air above and below the vehicle. Side deflectors direct air out. Ventilation of the front fenders is ensured by openings in the wheel arches (louvers).
Air intakes behind the front wheels, in the style of the iconic Le Mans-winning 911 GT1, reduce dynamic pressure in the wheel arch. Side deflectors behind the air inlet direct the air specifically to the side of the vehicle. The air from the central cooler escapes through large nostrils located on the front cover. On the roof, fins direct the air outwards and thus ensure cooler intake temperatures in the rear.
On the new 911 GT3 RS, the openings in the rear side section are used exclusively to improve aerodynamics and not to draw in process air. The rear wing is also equipped with an air intake and a side deflector to optimize the direction of the air. The rear diffuser, which comes from the 911 GT3, has been slightly adapted.
Even the aerodynamics of the chassis have been carefully worked on. As the wing of the new 911 GT3 RS is traversed by a powerful airflow, the components of the double wishbone front axle are shaped like teardrops. These aerodynamic arms increase the downforce on the front axle by around 40 kg at top speed and are normally only used in top-level motorsport. Since the wheel spacing is wider (29 mm more than on the 911 GT3), the arms of the double transverse arm front axle are longer.
To maintain balanced downforce between the front axle and the rear axle, even when braking at high speeds, the chassis engineers have significantly reduced pitching (anti-dive). On the front axle of the 911 GT3 RS, the front ball joint of the lower trailing arm has therefore been moved downwards. Likewise, the multi-link rear axle has been adapted, with modified spring rates. The driver assistance systems and the steering of the rear axle have also been tuned even more dynamically.
The 911 GT3 RS offers three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. Track mode lets you customize basic settings. For example, the pressure and rebound of the front and rear shock absorbers can be adjusted separately and in several stages. The rear axle transverse lock is also adjustable using rotary knobs on the steering wheel. This operation is quick and intuitive thanks to the control and display concept, also borrowed from motorsport.
The steering wheel is equipped with four independent rotary knobs and a button for the drag reduction system (DRS). During adjustment, the graphical representation of the rotary knobs is clearly visible on the dashboard. The 911 GT3 RS is also equipped with the « Track Screen » screen that we already know from the 911 GT3. At the push of a button, the driver can limit the digital displays of the two seven-inch side screens to essential information. The gearshift indicator on the left and right of the analog tachometer has also been taken over from the GT3.
The naturally aspirated four-litre high-revving engine has been further optimized compared to the 911 GT3. Its power was increased to 386 kW (525 hp), first thanks to new camshafts with modified cam profiles. The single-throttle intake system and rigid valve train are motorsport-derived. The seven-speed Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) provides a shorter total gear ratio than that of the 911 GT3. Air intakes on the underbody allow the transmission to withstand extreme stresses when the vehicle is often used on the circuit. The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 296 km/h in seventh gear.
The front axle is fitted with aluminum monobloc fixed-caliper brakes with six pistons each and 408 mm diameter discs. Compared to the 911 GT3, the diameter of the pistons has been enlarged from 30 to 32 mm and the thickness of the discs has been reinforced from 34 to 36 mm. The rear axle is still fitted with 380 mm brake discs and four-piston fixed calipers.
The Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB), available as an option, has 410 mm discs on the front axle and 390 mm on the rear axle. As standard, the new 911 GT3 RS is fitted with centrally fixed forged light alloy wheels. Road-legal sports tires in the sizes 275/35 R 20 at the front and 335/30 R21 at the rear ensure a high degree of mechanical grip.
Since the presentation of the mythical 911 Carrera RS 2.7, intelligent lightweight construction has been one of the basic principles of all RS models. Thanks to numerous lightweighting measures such as the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFK), the 911 GT3 RS weighs only 1,450 kg (unladen weight according to DIN), despite many larger components . For example, the doors, front fenders, roof and front bonnet are made of CFK. The interior also uses lightweight CFK, for example for the standard full bucket seats.
Inside, the new GT sports car features typical RS styling: black leather, race-tex and exposed carbon characterize a purist and sporty ambience. The 911 GT3 RS is available at no extra cost with the Clubsport package. This includes, among other things, a steel roll bar, a portable fire extinguisher and a six-point seat belt for the driver’s side.
With the Weissach package, available at an additional cost and significantly more substantial, the front bonnet, the roof, certain parts of the rear spoiler as well as the upper shell of the exterior mirrors are made of exposed carbon. The front and rear stabilizers, the rear coupling rods and the rear axle thrust panel are made of CFK and help to further improve driving dynamics. The roll bar, for the first time in CFK, saves around six kilos compared to the steel variant.
The Weissach package has another highlight: it includes PDK shift paddles with magnetic technology directly from motorsport. They allow even sportier gear changes thanks to a more precise pressure point and a clearly perceptible click. Magnesium forged wheels are available as an option with the Weissach package. They allow a weight reduction of eight kilos.
The new 911 GT3 RS can be ordered now and has a starting price of CHF 278,500. Deliveries in Switzerland will start in February 2023. Our Swiss customers benefit from a warranty extension (2 + 2) as well as the Porsche Swiss Package, which includes the following options at no extra cost*: Dimmed LED main headlights including the Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS Plus), automatic anti-dazzle interior and exterior mirrors with integrated rain sensor, 90 l fuel tank, front and rear parking assistance with reversing camera, BOSE® Surround Sound System.
Inspired by the spirit of motorsport where maximum precision is paramount, the Porsche watch manufacturer from Solothurn in Switzerland has developed the 911 GT3 RS chronograph. This mechanical watch is reserved for vehicle owners. The base is a bead-blasted case in natural or black titanium, fitted with a screw-down crown. The inside of the watch houses the Porsche Design WERK 01.200 mechanical movement, COSC-certified for its high precision.
The « flyback » function combines starting, stopping and resetting in a single operation. The laser-engraved “Start/Stop” and “Next Lap” pushers clearly indicate that this chronograph is not limited to displaying the time. In addition to new features such as the pulsometric scale on the bezel, there are many design and material features of the GT3 RS.
*Prices, equipment and contents of the Porsche Swiss Package are subject to change upon change of model year.
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