These days it seems like German car companies just can’t keep a lid on the next big thing. If it’s not a new BMW sneaking out unintended, it’s a halo Porsche.
Quite by accident the Australian “Drive” website pushed out a post on the new 911 GT3 RS, a month before Porsche unveils the car at the Geneva Motor Show.
The RS moniker isn’t one that Porsche lightly slaps onto a car either, so it’s bound to be something a bit special.
This car stands to be the quickest naturally aspirated 911 ever made. It uses an updated version of the 4.0-liter flat six, producing 513hp at a heady 8,250rpm. That’s good for a tenth of a second over the old GT3 RS, with 60mph coming up in 3.2 seconds. It also reaches 194mph, one more than its predecessor.
That mild hike in speed is partly down to the extra power, but also the reworked aero. The new RS gets a reshaped front end similar to the 911 GT3 Cup car, including a new bumper and NACA ducts. Porsche has also modified the rear bumper, with much larger ducts to dump the engine’s hot air.
One to make the enthusiasts’ hearts sink is the gearbox. That’s going to be a seven-speed PDK auto, and not a manual. Porsche may be adding a manual option to the regular GT3, but the RS is about speed rather than “feel”.
Also reworked is the rear-wheel-steering system. The new GT3 RS gets new wheels too, with a larger diameter 21-inch wheel at the back. The tires are 265/35 in the front and 325/30 at the back, 20mm wider than before too.
The interior shot reveals thin, racing seats — likely carbon-fiber — and other lightweight touches like nylon loops instead of door handles. It also shows the aluminum roll cage, part of the optional Clubsport pack.
Unsurprisingly, Porsche hasn’t revealed any prices yet as the car isn’t even supposed to be out in the wild. We imagine it’ll be similar to the £130,000/$130,000 price of the previous RS though.
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