Porsche 911 GT3 RS Uses Gorilla Glass to Save Weight
Thin-film glass has come a long way in recent years. And now Porsche is using the 911 GT3 RS as the logical next step.
In the old days, building incredibly light cars was easy for automakers like Porsche. You didn’t need things like heavy electronics and safety equipment, after all. These days, shaving ounces off a car like the track-focused Porsche 911 GT3 RS requires a little more finesse. But Porsche engineers’ latest such effort required nothing more than a glance at their smartphones.
Because the new 911 GT3 RS will use the same thin-film Gorilla Glass as today’s mobile devices and TVs. Of course, this isn’t an entirely new idea for the brand. They previous used laminated glass with similar glazing on the rear window of the 918 Weissach package. But that small window was more of a test fit for what is now a larger effort to employ the technology.
The 911 GT3 RS will feature Gorilla Glass not only on the rear side windows, but the entire rear window as well. Those changes shave nearly five pounds off the rear glass alone for a savings of 40-percent over traditional glass. In a world where we’ve essentially tapped out improving existing materials, that’s pretty significant.
The downside, of course, is that this type of glass is currently pretty expensive. Few automakers are even trying to incorporate it into their vehicles, minus Porsche, Jeep (aftermarket Wrangler windshields) and Ford (GT). It’s more flexible, so thin-film glass isn’t yet suitable for door windows. But aside from weight savings, this glass offers greater UV protection, reduces perceptible distortion, and thaws out quicker in frosty conditions.
Glass technology has come a long way in recent years, and Porsche remains dedicated to eventually incorporating it in all their automotive applications. In the meantime, the 911 GT3 RS serves as one more important step toward that goal.
