Here it is, the new 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Moving onto the 991-generation 911, Stuttgart’s latest lightweight track car makes its world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
Using the bog-standard GT3 as a base, the RS tacks on a wider body from the Turbo, deeper front splitter, side skirts and rear valence, downforce-inducing front fender vents, extra air outlets on the carbon fibre engine lid and a large adjustable rear wing. Twin creases running down the magnesium roof and carbon fibre bonnet pay homage to similar indent seen on air-cooled 911’s.
Inside, the RS is fitted with carbon front seats from the 918 Spyder, a six-point driver’s safety harness, a bolt-on rear roll cage, preparation for a battery master switch along with a fire extinguisher. A Sport Chrono Package is optional, and aside from an onboard lap timer, also includes a Porsche Track Precision smartphone app that logs vehicle data and times laps via GPS.
The use of lighter materials and a stripped-out interior mean that despite the wider body, the GT3 RS weighs just 1,420 kg, 10 kg less than the standard GT3.
At the rear, the GT3’s direct-injected, naturally-aspirated flat-six engine has been bored out from 3.8 litres to 4.0 litres, enabling it to produce 500 PS at a stratospheric 8,250 rpm and 460 Nm at 6,250 rpm. With power sent to the rear wheels, the RS launches from 0-100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, passes 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds, and hits a top speed of 310 km/h.
Like the regular GT3 (and unlike the manual-only Cayman GT4), the RS is fitted exclusively with a specially-developed seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission. As on the lesser model, the ‘box comes with a “paddle neutral” function that opens the two clutches when both paddles are pulled, then closes them at “lightning speed” when released to perform a “clutch kick” that alters the car’s cornering stance.
Peer beneath the metal and you’ll find electromechanical power steering, active rear-wheel steering and a fully-variable limited-slip differential with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus as on the GT3, but with a wider front and rear track for better roll stability. The RS is also fitted with the widest tyres fitted on any 911 – 265/30 on 20-inch wheels at the front, and 325/30 on 21-inch wheels at the rear.
So competent are the tweaks that the new 2016 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is claimed to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes 20 seconds, quicker even than the 7 minutes 28 seconds set by the 2003 Carrera GT. It will go on sale in a few months, with prices starting from €181,690 (RM738,200).
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….‘box comes with a “paddle neutral” function that opens the two clutches when both paddles are pulled, then closes them at “lightning speed” when released to alter the car’s cornering stance.”
Hahah…. paddle box that allows you to do a “clutch kick”
thankfully porsche still makes the gt4 cayman which is manual only…leaving this for the rich posers
I don’t think the GT3 and GT3 RS are for rich posers because those are serious track cars, to shave laptime. If we want pure driving satisfaction, Cayman GT4 or Carrera S with 7MT is the answer.
I don’t wanna give example of rich poser cars, we all know it.
But thankful to Porsche for still making high-revving naturally-aspirated engines, with peak hp near the redline. I bet the last 500 rpm near the redline would feel awesome.
For the rich, 911 Turbo S is the answer.