New Porsche 911 GT3 RS goes to the next level

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has finally been revealed in all its track-honed glory and we’ll answer the question on everyone’s lips straight off the bat: yes, it makes more power than the standard 992-series GT3.

Thanks primarily to new camshafts with modified cam profiles and a few other motorsport-derived goodies, the 992-series GT3 RS coupe’s free-breathing 4.0-litre flat six-cylinder engine develops 386kW – 11kW more than the standard GT3.

An official torque figure is yet to surface, but is anticipated to be similar to its donor car’s 470Nm, and either way fans can rejoice in the knowledge the new RS will bring more power than the regular GT3 – not less – as is Porsche tradition.

Drive in Porsche’s newest street-legal track car is sent exclusively to the rear wheels via a tweaked version of the familiar seven-speed dual-clutch PDK automatic transmission, featuring shorter gear ratios for better throttle response and acceleration on track.

The combination of 386kW and a kerb weight of just 1450kg is enough to launch the RS to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, says Porsche, making it the quickest rear-drive 992-series 911.

For reference, the standard GT3 and Carrera GTS both stop the clock in 3.4s.

Straight-line performance is only one part of lightweight sports car recipe here, however, and the 911 GT3 RS has always been more about turning out fast lap times than it has been laying down blistering quarter-mile times – Porsche has the Turbo and Turbo S twins for that.

That sonorous flat-six revs out to more than 9000rpm and given this is meant to be the most track-capable 911 of them all, the engine and transmission need to be able to handle huge loads for hours on end.

To that end, engineers have filled what’s usually the 911’s luggage compartment with a new motorsport-rated central radiator – glimpsed via the two huge nostrils on the bonnet – while the transmission is cooled by a series of matching air intakes under the body.

In addition to providing more cooling, the new radiator frees up space down the sides and around the rear of the body to integrate a series of active aero active elements, culminating in an electronically controlled DRS rear wing.

The GT3 RS has always been big on aero and the latest version elevates the bar even higher, with Porsche claiming the 992 RS generates 409kg of downforce at 200km/h – three times as much as the equivalent GT3 and twice as much as its 991.2 predecessor.

At 285km, that figure is up to 860kg.

This is where the rear wing’s drag reduction system (DRS) – a first for a Porsche production car – comes into play, with the active elements doubling as an air brake in emergency situations.

Trivia boffins may be interested to know this is also the first production Porsche GT car on which the wing is higher than the roofline.

Such is the nerdery of the new RS’ aerodynamics that even the double-wishbone front suspension assemblies have been designed with a teardrop profile which, all on their own, generate 40kg of downforce at the car’s 296km/h v-max.

Speaking of the suspension, the front and rear geometries have been altered slightly in the name of aerodynamics, braking stability and cornering ability – befitting of the wider tracks – with all four corners featuring bespoke springs and adaptive dampers.

Three drive modes comprising Normal, Sport and Track are on offer for the various driving applications a road-going Porsche would reasonably be expected to handle.

Track mode inevitably turns everything up to 11, but also allows drivers to alter the front and rear suspension characteristics (compression and damping) independently of one another as well as the rear differential and traction control.

All of these changes can be made on the fly via a series of dials on the steering wheel while the DRS is activated by a dedicated button.

Lurking behind the 20-inch forged light-alloy front wheels are a set of aluminium Monobloc six-piston brake callipers acting on a beefy set of 408x36mm steel rotors – even bigger carbon ceramics will be available optionally.

The 21-inch rear hoops meanwhile hide a set of four-pot callipers which grab a pair of 380mm rotors.

As one might expect, all this new mechanical, chassis and aerodynamic hardware adds weight, which is why the doors, roof, front wings, bonnet, bucket seats and interior trim are made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).

The result is a kerb weight of 1450kg – 15kg more than the standard GT3.

Even more weight can be shed by opting for the Weissach Package, which throws in CFRP swaybars, rear coupling rods, rear axle sheer panel and roll cage (replacing the optional steel one).

Now for the all-important price; the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS will cost $500,200 plus on-road costs when it arrives here in the second quarter of next year.

Standard equipment highlights will include tinted LED headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System, auto-dimming mirrors, front-axle lift system, rear parking sensors, front axle lift system, digital radio, picture repair kit and a reversing camera.

For reference, that asking price is $111,600 higher than the already fast and capable GT3 and just six grand shy of the monstrous Turbo S flagship.

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