If you ask any self-proclaimed petrol head what their ultimate modern-day driver’s car would be, you’d be hard pressed to find an answer that didn’t include “911” and “GT3.” While a GT3 with a manual gearbox might be our idea of a driving daydream, there are some out there who want that howling, atmospheric six-cylinder wrapped in a more-track-focused package. A package that sacrifices some of the analogue driving experience for faster lap times. This package is the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Like any good Porsche GT release (basically all of them), the GT3 RS takes all of the positives from the previous model, adds some motorsport-derived enhancements, and over-engineers every nanometre of the car to produce arguably the most reliable road-legal track car in the world.
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The new 911 GT3 RS has an imposing platform with the 991.2-generation, but the aerodynamic upgrades have been significant. Using the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR as a blueprint, the car features a centrally-mounted radiator which frees up space on the sides to integrate new active aerodynamic elements.
On the car’s rear, the two-piece wing (with help from other aero upgrades) delivers 409 kilos of downforce at 200 km/h. This equates to twice as much downforce as the previous 991.2-generation GT3 and three times as much as a current 911 GT3 (992).
The most captivating addition, however, is a drag reduction system (DRS), which is a first for a production Porsche. As the name suggests, the DRS allows the wings to be flattened at the push of a button, therefore reducing aerodynamic drag and increasing speed.
The DRS also works the other way during emergency braking, engaging the wing elements to maximum drag in the hope that the aerodynamic deceleration (and the monobloc fixed-callipers) pull up your pride and joy before the barrier at turn one.
Although most people would find the power of the high-revving, naturally aspirated six-cylinder from the “Standard” GT3 plentiful, the RS engineers thought otherwise. Power has now been increased to 386 kW (525 PS) thanks to some new camshafts with modified cam profiles.
Gear ratios, on the other hand, have been shortened on the seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) for more track-focused usability, resulting in a zero to 100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 296 km/h.
Inside the cabin, things are predictably “GT.” The default spec is finished in black leather, Racetex, and carbon-weave finish, whereas the Clubsport package (a no-cost option) includes a steel rollover bar, fire extinguisher, and six-point harness for the driver.
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If you want to take things to another level again, the Weissach package (another no-cost option) converts the front lid, roof, parts of the rear wing, and the upper shell of the exterior mirrors to carbon weave. For those concerned about the excessive weight on their coffee run, the roll cage is now made from CFRP and saves around six kilograms compared with former steel version.
The Australian spec of the 911 GT3 RS will be equipped with Tinted LED headlights, automatically dimming mirrors, front-axle lift system, ParkAssist (rear only), reversing camera, tyre fit set (sealant), and digital radio.
You can order the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS right now with prices starting at $500,200 plus on roads. Deliveries are expected to start rolling in from the second quarter of next year, and if anyone has a change of heart in the interim, be sure to let us know.
