Geneva Motor Show: The most mental Porsche since the 918 Spyder has been revealed in the form of the 911 GT3 RS, a road-legal, track-focussed monster that has a spoiler you measure in miles.
It may not have the Carrera GT’s supercar looks, but make no mistake about how much faster the 911 GT3 RS is. 0 to 62mph takes 3.3 seconds and 0 to 124mph takes 10.9 seconds. Just a shame Porsche is yet to mention a top speed.
Whereas the Carrera GT needed 7 minutes and 29 seconds to lap the Nürburgring, the 911 GT3 RS can manage it in 7 minutes and 20 seconds. In the world of racing, nine seconds is akin to the gap between dinosaurs and landing on the moon. Even the last RS, the 997, is seven seconds slower.
The 911 GT3 RS owes a great deal of pace to the 4.0-litre six-cylinder that develops 500hp and 460Nm of torque, all of which is fed through a specially developed PDK transmission. Fuel economy is 22.2mpg.
A number of extras enhance the track theme Porsche is going for, including a ‘paddle neutral’ facility that simulates putting the clutch down in a manual, rear limited slip differential and a ‘Pit Speed’ button for maintaining a set speed when in the pits.
There’s also a complimentary course at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone designed to let you really see what your new purchase can do.
Porsche was happy to bang on about weight saving but in reality the 911 GT3 RS weighs 10kg less than the 911 GT3, even though the roof is made of magnesium and various other parts from carbon fibre. We blame the tyres, the widest ever fitted to a 911 as standard.
Inside it is much the same story as the 911 GT3, which means Alcantara and similar styling but sports seats made from carbon fibre and based on the 918 Spyder and an optional bolted-in roll cage remind you this is no average runaround.
Those who spend their weekends at a track can (and perhaps should) opt for the optional Sport Chrono Package, which includes integrated timers and the Porsche Track Precision app. The app can track lap times using GPS and tell you other things like lateral acceleration and how fast you were going.
You can order the Porsche 911 GT3 RS right now in the UK and Ireland, with the first cars arriving in showrooms from May. Prices start from £131,296.
On the subject, feast your eyes on our review of the softer, comfier Porsche 911 GTS.
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