The ultimate performance version of the 992-generation is here – the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
The 911 has always been the benchmark for performance and desirability in the supercar market, but since the 996-generation, Porsche has been pushing the limits. Since 2003, the ultimate performance expression of the 911 has been defined by the 911 GT3 RS model. Now there’s an all-new 911 GT3 RS based on the current 992-generation 911 and it pushes the limits even further.
This new variant is built on the fundamentals of the 911 GT3, but takes things up a notch. The same 4.0L flat 6 with individual throttle bodies now puts out 518hp instead of 502hp. The 7-speed PDK has shorter gear ratios and gets additional air cooling from under the vehicle. The top speed is 296km/h and 0-60mph takes just 3 seconds, making it 0.2 seconds faster than the 911 GT3.
The pistons on the brakes have an increased diameter of 32mm and the thickness of the brake disc are also up to 36mm. Optional Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes are also available. Ultra High Performance tyres are fitted with staggered sizes for maximum mechanical grip.
Cooling and aerodynamics are also a key part of the performance enhancements to the 911 GT3 RS. It derives much of these from the motorsport-optimised 911 GT3 R. The first major difference was the use of a large angled centre radiator in the car’s nose instead of a luggage compartment. This frees space by eliminating the triple radiator system in previous cars, freeing space for more active aerodynamic elements. These include a myriad of functional wings, including a swan-neck-supported rear wing with a hydraulically adjustable upper blade.
The wing is higher than the roof, which is a first for a production Porsche. There’s also a front splitter, side blades, front wheel arch louvered openings, inlets behind the front wheels, nostrils on the front lid, fins on the roof, openings in the rear side panel, rear wheel arch intake, a rear diffuser and more. Continuously adjustable wing elements give it up to three times as much downforce as the current 911 GT3.
For the first time ever, Porsche have utilised a drag reduction system. It flattens the wings at the push of a button and helps bring drag down for higher speeds. There’s also an airbrake function that moves the wings to maximise drag.
Here’s the press release with more.
PRESS RELEASE
Track suspension that can be adjusted from inside the car
Even the suspension is modified for improved aerodynamics. Because the wheel arches of the new 911 GT3 RS 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 88 lbs. at top track speed and are otherwise only used in high-end motorsport applications. Front track width increases by 1.14 inches (29 millimeters), necessitating longer double-wishbone front axle links.
To ensure that the downforce balance between the front and rear axles is maintained even when braking from high speeds, the suspension engineers have significantly reduced pitching under braking. On the new 911 GT3 RS, the front ball joint of the lower trailing arm has been set lower on the front axle. The multi-link rear axle has also been adjusted, with modified spring rates. The driver assistance systems and rear-axle steering also have an even more dynamic set-up here.
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. This is done quickly and intuitively with an operating and display concept also borrowed from endurance racing. Four individual rotary controls and a button for the Drag Reduction System (DRS) are located on the steering wheel. These rotary controls appear in the instrument cluster during the adjustment process. The 911 GT3 RS also features the track screen already familiar from the 911 GT3. 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.
High-revving four liter six-cylinder boxer engine
The 4.0-liter high-revving naturally aspirated engine has been further optimized compared with the 911 GT3. The increase in power to 518 hp (911 GT3 – 502 hp) is achieved primarily via 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 seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) 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.
The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.0 seconds (911 GT3 – 3.2 seconds) and reaches a top speed of 184 mph in seventh gear. 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. The optionally available Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) use 410-mm discs on the front axle and 390-mm discs on the rear axle. The new 911 GT3 RS also comes standard with forged light-alloy center-locking wheels. Street-legal Ultra High Performance tires measuring 275/35 R 20 at the front and 335/30 R21 at the rear provide a high level of mechanical grip.
Lightweight construction all the way
Intelligent lightweight construction has been a basic principle of all RS models ever since the legendary 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Thanks to an array of lightweight construction measures such as the extensive use of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the 911 GT3 RS weighs in at only 3,268 lbs.. The doors, front quarter panels, roof and hood, for example, are made from CFRP. Lightweight CFRP is also used in the interior, including the standard full bucket seats, trimmed in black leather and Race-Tex joining carbon fiber trim throughout the interior to characterize the pure, sporty ambience.
Available with Weissach package
The Weissach package, which is available at extra cost, includes a considerable number of changes to the standard vehicle. 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. Another highlight of the Weissach package is the PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology. This makes gear changes feel especially precise thanks to a pressure point and a clearly perceptible click. Forged magnesium wheels are included in the Weissach package and save 17.6 lbs of unspring weight compared to the standard wheels.
The 2023 911 GT3 RS is expected to arrive at U.S. dealers by Spring, 2023. The starting MSRP is $223,800 excluding $1,450 for processing, delivery and handling.
Exclusive Porsche Design Chronograph
Inspired by the motorsport mindset – where maximum precision is paramount – Porsche’s own watchmaking operation in Solothurn, Switzerland, has developed the 911 GT3 RS chronograph. This mechanical watch is available as an option, and is reserved for owners of the car. It is based on a glass-bead blasted case, made from either natural or black titanium, and with a screw-down crown. Inside the watch is the mechanical Porsche Design chronograph caliber WERK 01.200, which has been COSC-certified for its high accuracy. Its flyback function allows the wearer to start, stop and reset the second hand with a single action. The chronograph pushers, which feature ”Start/Stop” and ”Next Lap” laser engravings, reveal that this chronograph is not just about telling the time. In addition to innovations, such as the pulsometer scale on the bezel, many design features and materials from the GT3 RS are also found.
