2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: The ultimate track weapon?

Ever wanted the ultimate Porsche 911 for the track, but don’t want to shell out for a full-blown grand touring race car?

The all-new 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS may just be what you’re looking for.

Style-wise, the GT3 RS carries over many design cues from the 992 GT3, such as the round headlights, the full-length taillights and the large rear wing. 

But with the RS, you get huge cooling vents on the front lid, the fenders and air intakes on the rear fenders, much like in the 911 Turbo. In addition, it comes with forged center-lock alloy wheels measuring 20 inches up front and 21 inches at the rear.

As with all RS models, the GT3 RS uses extensive lightening measures, such as the use of carbon-fiber doors, fenders, front lid and even with the lightweight bucket seats. This means a kerb weight of just 1,450 kilograms.

Race-derived technology

What really sets the GT3 RS apart is the use of a central radiator, which Porsche said comes from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR and the 911 GT3 R racing cars.

Instead of having three radiators like in the previous models, there is one angled radiator in the front luggage compartment. This has allowed for much more aggressive aerodynamic features on the RS that provide three times the downforce of a regular 911 GT3.

Put another way, the GT3 RS produces 860 kilograms of downforce at 285 km/h.

The GT3 RS also features the first-ever Drag Reduction System fitted to a production Porsche. At the push of a button, the car’s wings are adjusted for less drag so that it can achieve higher speeds on the straights. 

Beefed up flat-six and brakes

The 4.0-liter, twin-cam, 24-valve, flat-six gets a power bump to 525 PS (15 PS more than the GT3) and 465 Nm of torque. Unlike the rest of the 992 911 range, all GT3 engines don’t come with a turbocharger.

Porsche said the improved performance is a result of new camshafts with modified cam profiles, a race-derived single-throttle intake system and a rigid valve drive.

All this power is coursed through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with shorter gear ratios than the standard GT3 for better acceleration. As a result, it can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 296 km/h.

And to slow your GT3 RS down, Porsche has fitted 6-piston front brakes with bigger pistons and thicker brake discs, along with 4-piston rear brakes. Carbon-ceramic brakes with larger rotors are optional.

Adjust your suspension on the fly

On the suspension front, Porsche spared no expense in making sure that the GT3 RS corners as well as it looks.

Longer front axle links, adjustments to the placement of the front ball joints and modified spring rates all contribute to less pitching under hard braking. 

The GT3 RS also has three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. In Track mode, drivers can adjust a variety of suspension settings individually, including the damper compression and rebound.

Clubsport and Weissach packages

And if you think the standard GT3 RS isn’t quite hardcore enough, Porsche offers two special packages to make your 911 look meaner and drive even faster.

The Clubsport package, available with the GT3 since the original 996 model, is a no-cost option for avid track drivers. It includes a steel rollover bar, a handheld fire extinguisher, and six-point seatbelts for the driver.

Meanwhile, the Weissach package provides a carbon-weave finish for the front lid, roof, parts of the rear wing, and the upper shell of the exterior mirrors. In addition, the front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods, the shear panel on the rear axle, and the rollover bar are all made of carbon fiber to save more weight.

You can also get forged magnesium wheels with the Weissach package, which cut 8 kilograms from the car’s kerb weight.

Do you think we will see one of these at the Clark International Speedway anytime soon?