Preview: Porsche 911 GT3 RS
5 REASONS WHY THE GT3 RS WILL BE OUR CAR OF THE YEAR
by Jack Dwarren
Many are wondering how Porsche would ever be able to create something faster than the 991 GT3: performance and feelings that one of the best cars came out of the gates of Stuttgart have been able to give in the last few months, have been the best excuse to return to sit behind the wheel on several occasions, but by the time the Company confirmed the production of the RS version, our minds began to browse everything that could have made this 911 even more special. Let’s face it: we thought until our head was boiling, but we came up with anything. Porsche engineers instead, they always have a very bright idea, and in the best stereotype of German pragmatism, have given the world the latest version of the GT3 RS, the one that promises to pick you up from the nostrils, open up your mouth and snatch your guts without you may not even realize it.
We’ve driven it for a little, only a few hours, but it is clear that we are facing with what, on December and during our #onlythebest competition, will be named “Car of the Year”. Without taking anything away from the other great candidates, let’s find out why you do not need a gypsy to read the cards for the future, through 5 simple but very clear reasons that make the RS, a reason to sell your house and pawn your wedding ring.
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE
The first thing you notice, since you deal with a GT3 RS, is more than any other Porsche, the Aero Package. Consisting of an almost endless series of aerodynamic appendages, the new RS is a hybrid between the GT3 and the Turbo (with which it shares the wheel arches), while only the front splitter generates approximately 110 kg of downforce. The striking and sensual rear wing generates 235, bringing the overall value to clearly exceed that of any other SuperPorsche. Not only functionality and aesthetics therefore, but also a reasoning applied on all of its various panels, almost all made of carbon fiber, while the roof (grooved like the front hood) is made of magnesium and therefore lighter and thinner than the old one in aluminum. The result? -10 Kg compared to the GT3 and the classic feedback of a racing car: the fastest you go, the more the car will seem glued to the asphalt.
YOU WILL MAKE IT IN YOUR PANTS
The 6-cylinder naturally aspirated has grown and is now a 4.0cc, having around 500-hp and unleashing them to the rear axle via a 7-speed PDK gearbox. Thanks to the extra large tires, incredibly able to manage all these good things in the best way, it is going to rip the 0-100 in 3.1 and the 0-200 in just 10.9 seconds. The maximum speed stops at around 310 per hour, but what is in the middle will be the cause of an emergency change of underwear. Torque (460Nm) is always available and the engine screams and pulls up to 8500 rpm. The chassis is stiffened and made more communicative with the driver, it suggests what to provide bend after bend, almost like the classic little devil on the shoulder. Of course, you can also drive with kitchen gloves, not exceeding 3000 rpm, but what fun would that be? From an apex to another, you will lose your driving license after having covered 100km, unless you bring it on the track every sacrosanct weekend. It has a virtually infinite potential and does all that it promises. Again and even better, incredibly, than the GT3.
IT’S ON YOUR SIDE
The GT3 RS, as well as the GT3, does not pull against you, or rather it does your interest (except that of your wallet). What do I mean? I mean that it’s a sports car, with a racing look, with performance of a space shuttle, but that can also be driven by your wife going to the grocery store. The steering is soft, the rear wheels facilitate the steering angle, just as they will do, with a reverse procedure, during cornerings at high speeds. It will not be ideal to park, or for traffic jams in the city center, but if you drive it in standard mode with the transmission in automatic, you can (almost) forget to have 500-hp behind your head and an F1-like spoiler above it. Also for this reason, the GT3 RS is great.
IT’S THE CLOSEST THING TO A RACING CAR
Let’s leave for a moment cars like KTM, Ariel and BAC. They are fast, out of their minds and drivable every day. Okay, I do not doubt it, but we really would go on vacation with ‘em? You’d really start a journey without the fear of meeting rain along the way? No. The RS, instead, is able to accompany you anywhere, as long as you are going to do it the fast way; so, just to make the RS happy.
#ONLYTHEBEST
I’d like to recall again the attention on our “Best of” awaiting us at the end of the year. In my humble opinion, rivals will have little chance against this fury from Stuttgart. It is not just a war of performance. This allows you to reach them without risking the whole neck (only one leg or two). And then, after you have beaten everyone on track, you can take off the helmet and drive back home, maybe stopping at a restaurant, even stealing the show in the VIP parking. All this spending far less of your friend in his Ferrari.
Enough, or do I continue?