YearOne

From Pistonheads.com, pictures and original article here: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/defa...?storyId=23552

"Porsche has finally revealed to the world the car that we all knew was coming - the limited-edition 911 GT3 RS 4.0 - after weeks of fairly fevered speculation about the new hardcore GT3 RS.
As the name implies, the new car has an engine bored out by 200cc to 4.0 litres, and has a crankshaft lifted straight from the 911 GT3 RSR racer. The result is the largest 911 motor ever, and 500hp at 8250rpm and 339lb fit of torque. For those not all that sharp at mental arithmetic that's 125hp per litre - a pretty stunning figure for a naturally aspirated engine.

The GT3 RS 4.0, working solely via a six-speed manual gearchange, can manage the sprint from 0-62mph in 3.9secs and to 124mph in 12.0secs, while it eventually uruns out of shove at 193mph. That's just 0.1secs faster than the 'regular' GT3 RS to 62mph, but a whole 1.3secs quicker to 124mph - although it is worth pointing out that both the gearing and aero can be tweaked on the new car, thus changing those figures.


Oh and it wouldn't be a performance Porsche story without a spot of Nurburgring bragging - 7m 27s if you're interested.
In order to, as Porsche puts it, 'best exploit the increased power', the chassis settings of the new car have been revised. This includes the set-up of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), and the rear axle now features additional ball-joints for greater adaptability.

Extensive weight-saving tactics have also been employed, including lightweight seats, a carbon bonnet and front wings, plastic rear windows and - intriguingly - 'weight-optimised' carpets. The overall weight is 1360kg. Mind you, despite those lighter carpets, that's only a saving of 10kg over the GT3 RS.


The aerodynamic tweaks are pretty extensive, too. As well as the massive rear wing, there are lateral front air deflection vanes, or 'flics', which make their first appearance on a production Porsche and which contribute to an additional 190kg of downforce at top speed (we recommend that you don't test this out on the M25).
The GT3 RS 4.0 comes in white or - er - white, while inside the carbon fibre seats are covered in black leather/red Alcantara with 'RS 4.0' in red on the headrests, while various other surfaces also get red stitching Alcantara, and RS 4.0 logos. The Clubsport package - half roll cage, seat belt harnesses, fire extinguisher, and battery cut-off switch - is also standard.

Just 600 examples of the GT3 RS 4.0 will be made, and will be on sale from July at £128,466."

Nizer

So much for the doubters.



http://www.porsche.com/microsite/911gt3rs4/usa.aspx

Porsche Cars North America, Inc.

ATLANTA, April 28, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The 911 GT3 RS, one of Porsche's most popular, coveted and successful track-inspired production cars, has been given a final, thrilling injection of thoroughbred motorsport technology resulting in the 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Limited to 600 vehicles worldwide, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 brings together in a sports car the attributes that have made the Porsche 911 GT3 a consistent winner on the race track.

The motorsport-derived 4.0-liter engine, already the highest displacement 911 engine ever, also features the highest per-liter output -- 125 horsepower (hp) per liter -- from a naturally aspirated Porsche flat-six engine. The engine uses forged pistons, the connecting rods are fashioned from titanium, and the crankshaft has been lifted unchanged from the 911 GT3 RSR race car. It achieves its maximum power of 500 hp at 8,250 rpm. Maximum torque of 339 ft/lbs is reached at 5,750 rpm.

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 offers truly impressive performance, lapping the famed Nurburgring-Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 27 seconds. Available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds, and with its gearing designed for the race circuit it reaches the 124 mph mark on the race track in under 12 seconds.

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0's outstanding driving dynamics come from numerous, meticulously coordinated details. In addition to using suspension components typically encountered in motor racing, weight reduction is also of supreme importance. Equipped as standard with lightweight components such as light but strong carbon fiber sport bucket seats, carbon fiber front fenders and luggage compartment lid, and weight-optimized carpets, the two-seater's ready-for-action weight is just 2,998 lbs with a full fuel tank. The 911 GT3 RS 4.0's power-to-weight ratio is 5.99 lbs/hp.

This limited edition 911 is painted Carrara White as standard and emphasizes its proximity to motor racing by its dynamic appearance. Signature characteristics are the wide track, the low vehicle position, the large rear wing with side plates, central twin tailpipe, and the aerodynamically optimized body. Air deflection vanes mounted on either side of the front bumper – called 'flics' or dive planes – make their first appearance on a production Porsche. They create increased downforce on the front axle, and together with the steeply inclined rear wing, provide aerodynamics on par with its performance capabilities. As a result, at the 193 mph top track speed, aerodynamic forces exert an additional 426 lbs of downforce, thus pushing the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 onto the road.

With a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $185,000 (excluding destination), the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 goes on sale in the United States in late 2011.

Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/04/28/...#ixzz1KobkfMPQ

Chris Harris

Here's a vid of Andreas talking me around the new RS 4.0 (and confirming how short I am). Static, but nicely shot.

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/26...and_video.html

Hopefully driving the finished car soon!

Nizer

You've been holding out on us Chris...

TRAKCAR

Thanks for posting and I eagerly await your first drive in the car!
How aboout testing at at Sebring. I'd say plenty of 3.8 baselines to hop in and out of!

You have to love the carbon fenders, hood, dive planes, extra power, suspension a la GT2RS and the all white only color (As all RS intended to be) They even listened and put decent decal on.

We won't get seats, ClubSport package or plastic windows but at 50K, I think all above is worth it over 3.8 if you put some value of having the last of the best..
I'd have one if I did not have a 3.8 already. I just drove it to my office with A/C and radio on 10K miles and I can confirm it does not rattly, feel under powered or suck in any way.

1198r

Hey Chris - thanks for the post and welcome aboard.

Look forward to the review and your opinions

Nizer

Wait. Does this mean you hate it or you like it? I can't keep up

911SLOW

So it took them 12 years and 5 GT3 versions to make the swan song of this generation..


Using Aronofsky's terms, too bad this swan is white.. when some were waiting for the black one.


ps. It is amazing what they did with the weight; it is only 10-20kg heavier that the original 996 mk1 GT3. : )

pps. LOVE the motor!

TRAKCAR

I love it and would buy it, but I would feel 20K ripped off for just having it be the LE and the last of the best.

It be perfect for $165K in unlimited numbers.

Porsche917K

Pardon my ignorance but it seems like these cars should be significantly lighter than previous models. Does anyone know why they are coming out so heavy? (3000 lbs lol)

blake

Just watched the YouTube video... Car looks very interesting. Sad to see the Metzger and 997 chassis go though...

Let's see how long it takes for ALL current GT3 owners to add dive planes to the front of the 6.1/6.2/7.1/7.2 GT3s.... It will be the "must have" mod, no doubt...

911SLOW

Rumor has it that they've, secretly, added ballast in the front to balance the car. : )

Yoops Racing

Looks to be the best 997 GT3RS to date......car just makes me drool

Nizer

Cup is 2640.

Adding back little things like airbags, street seats, passenger seat, all carpet, roof liner, 5mph bumpers, engine cooling fans, interior ventilation hardware, instruments, parking brake, yadda, yadda, yadda, and you start to add weight pretty quickly.

Short of going to an alu tub and all carbon body I don't see a lot more to gain on this platform.

Carrera GT

Preuninger is freakishly tall ... some sort of stick insect DNA thing ...

Great interview. Thanks for your work ... you lucky bastard ...