5.000, 6.000, 7.000 - upshift. Wow, what a sound, what a thrust. The further developed Porsche GT3 RS of the 991er generation sets its speed limit only at 9.000 revolutions per minute. So there is still room for improvement. But from the beginning. The four-liter six-cylinder boxer, which derives directly from the race car "GT3 Cup", is one of the last high-speed vacuum and a real source of pleasure. Compared to the Vorfacelift model, the 15 kW / 20 PS engine delivers more power and now comes on top of 383 kW / 520 PS - the most powerful naturally aspirated engine Porsche has ever fitted in a standard 911. It is not even the power with which the GT3 RS moves that fascinates. It's a mix of performance that thanks to a rigid valve gear perfectly metered throttle response and the characteristic Boxer saws that makes addictive. Sure: The 132 kW / 180 PS stronger GT2 RS makes again significantly more meters, but the more emotional car is definitely the "little brother", which ranks with around 195.000 Euro even slack 90.000 Euro under the top penalty.
The quotes are not only appropriate because the GT3 RS has driven up to nine seconds to the Nordschleife record of the turbo monster GT2 RS, also transversely dynamic behaves the nominally inferior Saugmotorsportler at least as adult as the Stuttgart Alphatier. All suspension handlebars are equipped with Uniball ball bearings, the spring rates are significantly higher than its predecessor and almost identical to the Nordschleife setup of the GT3 Cup racing car. The track, camber and height of the vehicle can be individually adjusted to the driver's preferences, while the adaptive PASM shock absorbers with racetrack mode do the rest for the excellent driveability of the GT3 RS.
Particularly impressive is always the - Heckmotorkonzept-related - grip level of the rear axle. Anyone who brakes hard into the curve typical of the elite, lets the front axle slightly hike and then goes to the gas again early on, finds out the full revelation of this idea, which has been perfected for more than 50 years. In addition, the GT3 RS also features a harmonic and not conspicuously present rear axle steering, which again contributes to the maneuverability of the vehicle, especially in tight bends. But the front axle, which is often criticized on older RS models, also works perfectly in the revised RS. The feedback of Michelin sports tires through the smooth steering is a poem, the sports car can be perfectly positioned with frightening precision for each corner. The optional carbon-ceramic brake discs - if they are at operating temperature - are extremely durable and convince with a tremendous delay for a road car.
The love of detail in terms of weight optimization and aerodynamics can be experienced in the GT3 RS. The RS is based on the 911 Turbo's wide body and is hungry with carbon fiber rear spoilers, full shell seats and fenders, and a magnesium roof weighing 1.460 kilograms. If you order the optional Weissach package, you will also get the roof, bonnet and stabilizers made of carbon. In addition, the wheels are made of magnesium and the roll cage made of titanium. Weight saving: 30 kg. In addition, the engineers were able to increase the output of the RS compared to the normal GT3 by 75 to 144 kilograms at a speed of 200 km / h. Here, especially the adjustable rear wing contributes to the contact pressure on the rear axle.
But as well as the individual ingredients of the driving machine can be broken down into the most important areas and the biggest changes can be separated: With gray desk theory, the fascination of the GT3 RS can not be grasped. Even at the first acceleration out of the pit lane, the first climb of the performance summit and with the orchestral growth of goose bumps causing six-cylinder shriek pulls the RS one in his spell. As you roll around the circuit lap after lap and get closer and closer to the limit, you can understand why the RS is so popular with Trackday enthusiasts. He involves the driver, demands precise inputs and honest engagement at the border. He does not spoil with early regulating helper, but lets the driver on the long leash himself know where the limits are. That of the car and - most of the time already - the personal ones. The GT3 RS does not overwhelm with brute force and sharp behavior like the GT2 RS, it brings up and pushes the ego of the driver with precise, manageable behavior. He is a tool, a scalpel. But also a toy. Just a race car for the road. (Max Friedhoff / SP-X)
Porsche GT3 RS - Technical data
Two-door, two-seat sports car, length: 4,56 meters, width: 1,88 meters, height: 1,30 meters. Wheelbase: 2,45 meter, trunk volume: 125 liters
4,0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine, 383 kW / 520 horsepower at 8.250 rpm, maximum torque: 470 Nm at 6.000 rpm, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, rear-wheel drive, Vmax: 312-km / h, 0-100 km / h: 3,2 s, average consumption: 12,8 l / 100 km, CO2 output: 291 g / km, emission standard: Euro 6, efficiency class G, price: from 195.137 Euro.