Although the Frankfurt auto show is over a month away, Porsche has given us a preview of the monster 911 GT3 RS, a car Porsche claims is ready for the track, but is street legal. The centerpiece of the RS, of course, is the 3.8L, naturally aspirated boxer 6, making 450hp, with a redline at 8,500 rpm. No need to fumble for a calculator-that translates to over 118hp PER LITER!. No PDK here-the only transmission is a short-throw, shorter ratio 6-speed manual. This one is for the purists.
This is one serious package. Consider the rubber: Up front, 9″ wide 245/35 ZR 19’s, and in the rear, 12″ wide 325/30 ZR 19’s. Ooh. The GT3 RS also features standard dynamic engine mounts that have the ability to adjust stiffness and damping effect to aid you on track, and provide a comfortable experience around town. A Lithium-Ion battery is an option. You save 22lbs over a standard battery, but Porsche recommends this for track use over day to day driving. Yes, I just offered the prospect of driving your 911 GT3 RS everyday. Porsche insists for all the power and intensity this car offers, it is ready to handle the rigors of a daily driver. As a true Porsche should.
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As you can see, the RS should be easy to pick out from more pedestrian 911s. A lower ride height, massive carbon fiber rear wing, titanium exhaust, special bodywork and some not-so-subtle graphics are the visual clues that this is a very special 911. I think the graphics are terrific. Sure, we haven’t seen anything like this from Porsche since the 1970’s, but on a car this outrageous, it works, and it’s fun.
The 911 GT3 RS will be available in spring of 2010, with a price of $132,800USD.
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