Porsche Asia-Pacific held the regional launch of the 911 GT3 RS—its uncompromising sportscar designed specifically for maximum performance at the Porsche World Road Show 2023 in Indonesia. Taking full advantage of technology and concepts from motorsports, the 911 GT3 RS is basically a racecar with a number plate.
Inspired directly by the Porsche 911 RSR and the 911 GT3 R, the 911 GT3 RS gets a central radiator. Instead of the three-radiator layout seen in other 911s, the 911 GT3 RS relies on a large, angled center radiator fitted in the car’s nose, positioned where the luggage compartment is on other 911 models. This has made it possible to use the space freed up on the sides to integrate active aerodynamic elements. Continuously adjustable wing elements in the front and on the two-part rear wing, in combination with a number of other aerodynamic measures, provide more than 400 kilograms of downforce at 200 km/h—three times as much as the current 911 GT3. At 285 km/h, the total downforce is around 860 kilograms, or equivalent to a Porsche 356 A—Porsche’s first production car.
A drag reduction system (DRS) is fitted in a production Porsche for the first time. To achieve low drag and higher speeds on straight sections of the track, the DRS allows the wings to be flattened out at the push of a button, within a specific operating range. During hard braking at high speeds, the airbrake function positions the wing elements at the front and rear to support deceleration by maximize aerodynamic drag.
It also sports a number of functional aero elements. The most prominent feature of the sportscar is the swan-neck-supported rear wing, which is significantly larger in all dimensions than the wing of its predecessor. The rear wing consists of a fixed main wing and a hydraulically adjustable upper blade. It’s so insane that the upper edge of the rear wing is actually higher than the roof.
Underneath, the 911 GT3 RS’s suspension has been modified for improved aerodynamics as well. Because its wheel arches are subject to powerful airflows, the components of the double-wishbone front axle are designed with teardrop-shaped profiles. These aerodynamically efficient links increase downforce on the front axle by around 40 kilograms at top track speed, and are otherwise only used in high-end motorsport applications. Front track width increases by 29 millimeters, necessitating longer double-wishbone front axle links. Engineers have also modified the ball joints and spring rates to significantly reduce pitching under braking.
The 911 GT3 RS offers three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. In Track mode, the basic settings can be individually adjusted. 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. At the touch of a button, the driver can reduce the two seven-inch side displays to essential information only. The gearshift indicator lights to the left and right of the analog tachometer have also been taken from the 911 GT3.
Although Porsche engineers concentrated on giving the 911 GT3 RS uncompromising downforce, they also modified the high-revving 4.0-liter flat-6. Compared to the 911 GT3, here it makes 525 horsepower thanks to new camshafts with modified cam profiles. The single-throttle intake system and the rigid valvetrain are derived from motorsport. Like the 911 GT3, this engine also has six individual throttle bodies; one per cylinder. The 7-speed dual-clutch (Porsche Doppelkupplung or PDK) also has a shorter overall gear ratio than the 911 GT3 and is aided by air intakes on the underbody to ensure that the transmission can withstand even extreme loads during frequent use on track. Zero to 100 km/h is done in just 3.2 seconds, while top speed is 296 km/h.
Six-piston aluminum monobloc fixed-caliper brakes and brake discs with a diameter of 408 mm are used on the front axle. Compared with the 911 GT3, the piston diameters have been increased from 30 to 32 mm. In addition, the thickness of the discs has been increased from 34 to 36 mm. The rear axle continues to be fitted with 380-mm brake discs and four-piston fixed-caliper brakes. Ceramic composite brakes (Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes) are an available option. It also comes standard with forged light-alloy center-locking wheels. Street-legal Ultra High-Performance tires measuring 275/35R20 at the front and 335/30 R21 at the rear provide a high level of mechanical grip.
Thanks to an array of lightweight construction measures such as the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) from the doors, front quarter panels, roof and hood helps bring down the weight of the 911 GT3 RS to just 1,450 kilograms. Its weight saving measures are so intensive that the 3D badges have been switched to flat, printed ones, while lightweight CFRP is also used in the interior from the standard full bucket seats trimmed in black leather and Racetex in a carbon weave finish.
For those who want something more, the 911 GT3 RS can be optioned in two packages: Clubsport and Weissach. Clubsport adds a steel rollbar, hand-held fire extinguisher, and a 6-point safety harness for the driver. Meanwhile, the Weissach adds a considerable number of changes inside and out. The hood, roof, parts of the rear wing and the upper portion of the side mirrors housing feature visible carbon fiber. The front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods and the shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP and contribute to a further enhancement of the driving dynamics. Inside, it gets PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology making gear changes feel more precise and perceptible. Forged magnesium wheels are included as well further saving eight kilograms of weight compared to the standard wheels.
Porsche Philippines is already taking in orders for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. For more information, visit Porsche Centre Manila at 201 EDSA Mandaluyong City. Call them via +63 27 270381 or email [email protected].