MotorTrend 4.0 RS Review
06-07-2011, 11:52 PM
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MotorTrend 4.0 RS Review
Three page story (partial excerpt below). Plenty of photos. Enjoy.
Porsche churns out so many run-out editions of the 911 that collectors must be feeling pretty gouged by now. There's the 911 Carrera 4 GTS, the 911 Black Edition Cabriolet, the 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder. Seems like every combination of spec and paint becomes a model in its own right. We were just waiting for a narrow-body 2WD Turbo Targa Orange Stripe edition.
Instead, along comes the real deal. Not just the last 911, but the ultimate RS, and the roadgoing swan song for the magnificent Mezger flat-six. The 911 GT3 RS 4.0... now that's what we call a collector's car.
It doesn't just contain a mix'n'match of the very best body, aero, and chassis tweaks from the existing GT3 RS and GT2 RS, plus some competition parts in the suspension. Oh no, that would be the usual Porsche cheekiness. This time you get an actual new engine. A 493 HP [500PS] naturally aspirated 8500-rpm howler, just waiting to propel this sub-3000-pound sled to 100 mph in under eight seconds.
While all mainstream 911s now have an entirely different flat-six (even the Turbo does since the 997 phase 2), Porsche Motorsport's Mezger motor powers the GT3 and GT2s, and the track 911s. It began life back with the 1996 Le Mans Porsche GT1. But continuing with two families makes little commercial sense, so it's a sad goodbye to this one.
The new GT3 RS 4.0 shares its block, long-stroke crank, and titanium rods with the track-only four-liter 911 GT3 R and RSR. . It also gets a road cylinder head with variable cam timing and variable manifold, plus a catalyzed exhaust.
But those road elements aren't the same as the ones on the RS 3.8 engine - oh, no. They're redesigned for even higher gas flow. Valve timing is different; the inlet manifold has wider, shorter runners, and is a thinner casting; the air filters are track-type items; the compression ratio drops (yes, drops) to 12.6:1 from 13.0; and the exhaust cat has bigger voids, necessitating the use of hideously expensive new metals to keep the gas scrubbed clean. As a measure of the achievement, power output per liter is actually higher than the 3.8......
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html
Porsche churns out so many run-out editions of the 911 that collectors must be feeling pretty gouged by now. There's the 911 Carrera 4 GTS, the 911 Black Edition Cabriolet, the 911 Turbo S Edition 918 Spyder. Seems like every combination of spec and paint becomes a model in its own right. We were just waiting for a narrow-body 2WD Turbo Targa Orange Stripe edition.
Instead, along comes the real deal. Not just the last 911, but the ultimate RS, and the roadgoing swan song for the magnificent Mezger flat-six. The 911 GT3 RS 4.0... now that's what we call a collector's car.
It doesn't just contain a mix'n'match of the very best body, aero, and chassis tweaks from the existing GT3 RS and GT2 RS, plus some competition parts in the suspension. Oh no, that would be the usual Porsche cheekiness. This time you get an actual new engine. A 493 HP [500PS] naturally aspirated 8500-rpm howler, just waiting to propel this sub-3000-pound sled to 100 mph in under eight seconds.
While all mainstream 911s now have an entirely different flat-six (even the Turbo does since the 997 phase 2), Porsche Motorsport's Mezger motor powers the GT3 and GT2s, and the track 911s. It began life back with the 1996 Le Mans Porsche GT1. But continuing with two families makes little commercial sense, so it's a sad goodbye to this one.
The new GT3 RS 4.0 shares its block, long-stroke crank, and titanium rods with the track-only four-liter 911 GT3 R and RSR. . It also gets a road cylinder head with variable cam timing and variable manifold, plus a catalyzed exhaust.
But those road elements aren't the same as the ones on the RS 3.8 engine - oh, no. They're redesigned for even higher gas flow. Valve timing is different; the inlet manifold has wider, shorter runners, and is a thinner casting; the air filters are track-type items; the compression ratio drops (yes, drops) to 12.6:1 from 13.0; and the exhaust cat has bigger voids, necessitating the use of hideously expensive new metals to keep the gas scrubbed clean. As a measure of the achievement, power output per liter is actually higher than the 3.8......
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...ive/index.html
06-08-2011, 09:53 AM
#2
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I can't wait to get a review that isn't pushed by Porsche corporate along with some actual performance numbers. The car looks awesome though! It is definitely something I would like to have.
06-08-2011, 02:40 PM
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I like the center stripe on white but I am not digging it on the black car.
Silver wheels are what I prefer.
Silver wheels are what I prefer.
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06-08-2011, 04:57 PM
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No stripes/logos at all looks best IMO. Black with silver wheels...that would be worth the hassle of dealing with a black car again!
06-08-2011, 09:05 PM
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gotta be murdered black; black with black wheels black interior + no decals.
or,
white with silver wheels, black interior, decals intact.
06-08-2011, 09:25 PM
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call me crazy, but in 3-4 years when the 991 GT3 is released and all these low mile 997 4.0's are close to the end of warranty run, i have a funny feeling that they will depreciate to a reasonable level of purchasability. Enough to make them available to those who enjoy them for track purposes.
Same for the GT2RS.
Of course, i hope they actually do the opposite and follow suit of the 993RS and 993 GT2.
going to be an interesting 5 years for Porsches!
I really like them and would love to upgrade from my 997.1 someday....
Same for the GT2RS.
Of course, i hope they actually do the opposite and follow suit of the 993RS and 993 GT2.
going to be an interesting 5 years for Porsches!
I really like them and would love to upgrade from my 997.1 someday....
06-08-2011, 09:58 PM
#11
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The stripe must go on black. Nakes is the best, but I could leave the stripes on a white one, or maybe just the sides, as long as the car has matching silver wheels.
4.0 or GT2RS, you need something to look forward too..Fortunately both will be available in white..
4.0 or GT2RS, you need something to look forward too..Fortunately both will be available in white..
06-09-2011, 03:41 PM
#13
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After the worldwide automotive media has been run through the cars at this event then there may be vehicles available for local testing where magazines and websites can hook up equipment and get numbers and whatnot. If they dragged the gear with them they might get away with it at the long lead but there usually isn't time.
06-09-2011, 03:45 PM
#14
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I don't like the 3.8rs decals, but the car still needs something or it just looks dull!
You are going to put the .1 stripes back on the .2?
I like the 4.0 side stripes with red or solver wheels on a (my) 3.8 but that would be a bit poserish.