If you’re pursuing a doctorate in aerodynamics, we suggest you put down that literature review of yours for a minute, and instead take a gander at the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS – It is just fully loaded with state-of-the-art aero bits. Not only is the “father of all wings” perched on the GT3 RS’s posterior, but even the suspension components are also aerodynamic. We’ll get to these in a bit.
Before we go nuts with the aerodynamics, let’s address the powertrain. Sitting behind the rear axle is a normally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-6 engine that revs up to 9,000 rpm. It is a souped-up version of the engine in the 911 GT3, producing 525 hp, which is 50 hp more than the non-RS GT3. Upgrades to the engine include cams with longer durations and different cylinder heads that provide more lubrication in high-G situations.
Paired to the flat-six engine is a seven-speed PDK gearbox that has overall shorter ratios than the 911 GT3. With only 1,450 kg of weight to lug around, the powertrain combination results in a 0-100 km/h of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 296 km/h in seventh gear. In charge of stopping all this power are 6-pot aluminium monobloc brakes in the front and rear.
Now, onto the aerodynamics. Starting from the front, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS has ditched the three-radiator layout for a central mono-radiator system. The hot air exiting the radiator then flows through the massive hood outlet that pushes the air to the sides. Under the nose of the car are adjustable flaps that can rotate by 80 degrees to either increase or decrease the downforce on the front end.
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To cool the wheelhouse, the traditional louvre outlets were simply not enough, so the GT3 RS has large gaping passages behind the front wheels instead. This new source of airflow meant that Porsche had to redesign the doors on the 992 911 GT3 RS. Oh, and these doors are made of carbon fibre, shaving off almost 5kgs of the car’s weight.
Move on to the rear, and you will not miss the massive wing on the 911 GT3 RS’s posterior. The swan neck wing is a bit taller than the roof line and features a static and active aero component. The static lower wing is made of carbon fibre and the top part of the wing is the DRS feature on the GT3 RS. Stolen from Formula 1 cars, the DRS is a first for a Porsche streetcar.
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Keen to reduce even more resistance, the aerodynamic bits of the 911 GT3 go beyond skin deep. Since high-speed, high-density air flows through the wheel well, the double wishbone suspension components have a teardrop-shaped profile to improve aerodynamics.
With all the aero components working harmoniously, the 991 Porsche 911 GT3 RS produces up to 860 kg of downforce at 285 km/h – twice of the 991.2 GT3 RS and thrice of the 992 911 GT3. Porsche says the GT3 RS has spent 250 hours in the wind tunnel, and we totally believe them.
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Equipped with a ‘Track’ driving mode, customers can individually adjust settings like compression and rebound for the front and rear in several stages. The rear differential can also be adjusted via rotary controls on the steering wheel.
Inside, the track-focused 911 GT3 RS is adorned in black leather, Racetex, and a carbon-weave finish. The Clubsport package which includes a steel rollover bar, a hand-held fire extinguisher and six-point seat belts for the driver is available at no extra cost.
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Customers can also opt for an optional Weissach package with extra cost that includes:
- Carbon weave finish for the front lid, roof, parts of the rear wing and the upper shell
- CFRP front & rear anti-roll bars, rear coupling rods, and shear panel on the rear axle
- CFRP rollover bar
- PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology
- Optional magnesium forged wheels
