Sunday 24th April 2016

Porsche 911 GT3 RS facelift first look

You know what's coming, so look away now 911 disbelievers!

---

Hands up - there's been a fair bit of fast Porsche stuff on PistonHeads recently. Various conspiracy theories will abound but the simple fact is: the Motorsport division Porsches tend to be pretty damn good, and people love to talk about them. The views aren't always positive, but there's always a pretty lively discussion...

What are you hiding back there then?

So here is the latest, the 991.II GT3 RS. This is indeed the very first look too, the GT3 having already been seen a couple of times. Usefully there are some key points to talk about with this RS prototype, as opposed to the spot-the-difference mules that have been seen. Note the tweaks to various intakes front and rear, plus a new exhaust arrangement and a diffuser that appears to have been borrowed from the 911 R. Just in case the RS was lacking a bit in downforce.

Now according to our sources, the significant tweaks at the hot end of a 911 are required for an increase in capacity, from a 4.0-litre flat-six in the outgoing car to a 4.2 in this model. That should bring an increase in both power and torque, but of course we can only guess at those outputs right now. But from 500hp and 339lb ft with the 4.0-litre, what about a nice round 520hp and 350lb ft from this car? Let's see.

Then of course we're onto the sticky issue of GT3 RS availability. With examples of the 991 4.0 currently for sale at £300,000 in the classifieds, there will certainly be huge demand for this car. As and when there are more details, we'll be sure to keep you updated. Though could prospective buyers be too late already?

 

[Photos: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien]

[dom9]

4.2 litres - not a development I was expecting!

There's no replacement for displacement - I guess the rev limit may be coming down though

They're quite large cylinders now at 700cc a piece.

[Porsche911R]

is it April 1st again , a 4.2 !!!


the car in the pic is more likey to be the GT2

[Oakman]

I'm a classic Porsche owner, it would be great if I could have a chance to buy one of the new GT range of cars. A friend has a new GT4 and RS - lucky bloke ! The Cayman is much more viable for daily use he's already found and the right side of enough power - the RS he says is just ballistic and a very different proposition.

What Porsche seem to be doing relentlessly, appears to be squeezing enthusiasts even further away. The furore created by the most recent GT3 RS, 911R and GT4 Cayman has hardly abated and we have updated version already potentially available (if it's not a GT2). It's all very cynical marketing, creating a demand from investment buyers over and above the 'normal' purchasers.

We all have heard the tales of OPC's and independents who have clients cars available with next to no mileage at substantially inflated prices - a lot of which aren't actually selling !

Roll on the next new releases - what will be new for 2017 model year .......

[big_rob_sydney]

with a 5% increase in capacity, I'd expect at least a 5% increase in bhp and torque. Anything less is a decrease in efficiency.

Looking at the car, I cant help but think its crashed through Halfords and come out the other side with a ton of crap affixed to it.

Pricing will be interesting too. No doubt stratospheric, and then the corrupt resales via OPCs at hugely inflated prices will leave genuine users with their noses out of joint.

All in all, situation normal over at Porsche, and what we've all come to expect. Could they possibly treat their customers with any more contempt?

[Vocht]

Porsche911R said:

is it April 1st again , a 4.2 !!!


the car in the pic is more likey to be the GT2

I Agree. It looks much more like a GT2 with the positioning of the exhausts and squared off lower front bumper lip (albeit disguised).

[Chris Stott]

That's the GT2RS mule, not a gen 2 RS.

[Impasse]

Wow. It looks like a whole new car.

[Dr S]

Chris Stott said:

That's the GT2RS mule, not a gen 2 RS.

what he said

[HJMS123]

Impasse said:

Wow. It looks like a whole new car.

[Matt UK]

Remind me, is this a turbo engine or is the GT3 RS still naturally aspirated?

[EricE]

Matt UK said:

Remind me, is this a turbo engine or is the GT3 RS still naturally aspirated?

This one is most likely the GT2 RS and has a turbo engine, as can be seen from the typical GT2 exhaust placement and extra vents in the rear bumper where the turbos are.

More N/A cars - possibly even with 4.2L engines - will come later.

[daveco]

The rear tyre width

[Matt Bird]

Hi all,

Thanks for the GT2 pointers! We can only go off the info provided and a bit of initiative ('bit' being the operative word!) that all pointed to this has another GT3 RS. But as you say, those additional vents at the back could well be for additional turbo cooling. If only they had provided a video! Once there's any more concrete details we'll update the story. We would think Porsche would start with a GT2 before GT2 RS but let's see.

Cheers!


Mat

[Goofnik]

OP said:

Though could prospective buyers be too late already?

If you didn't have your deposit in around 2013, you already know the answer to this -- yes, you likely are too late.

[rhinochopig]

Rumour has it the info-tainment system has a button that automatically uploads the car's details to all the well known car sales sites at %100 mark-up.

[je777]

Ruf already offer a 4.2 (with a manual).
Porsche following Ruf again (5 speed box, twin turbos).

[Jex]

"911 disbelievers"
I was one of those until I drove one.

[wtdoom]

Goofnik said:

If you didn't have your deposit in around 2013, you already know the answer to this -- yes, you likely are too late.

That has nothing to do with it

[smilo996]

Continuing it's unrelenting progress of becoming uglier and less relevant.

Porschar fans will love it.

[73RS]

Too big and too much grip to be any fun on a public road. Irrelevant