Car Reviews > Porsche > 911 GT3 RS 4.0 > Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Car Review
The Swansong of the 911
With the current 997 generation of the Porsche supercar set to be replaced as of 2012, the GT3 RS 4.0 is the last variation on the current 997 generation that the market is ever going to see. Fortunately, it seems clear that Porsche are intent on making the 911 go out in a blaze of glory with this last model, with what is being touted as the ultimate expression of all the knowhow, dedication, and blood, sweat and tears that have gone into the making of this brand over the years. The GT3 4S 4.0 is a limited edition model too, with only 600 of them ever going to be created. Just to add that extra touch of exclusivity, the GT3 RS 4.0 also comes complete with an engine that has the largest capacity that has ever been given to the 911 range, a 4.0 litre flat six-cylinder monstrosity that is similar to the size last fitted to the Porsche GT3 RSR racecar model. The engine is indeed a thing of beauty on the GT3 RS 4.0, coming packed with the very best in technology, bred straight from the track. The crankshaft comes from the very successful Le Mans racing car, while other such features include dry-slumped lubrication, a single mass flywheel and connecting rods made out of titanium, all of which ultimately conspires to result in what is by far the most powerful normally aspirated engine that a 911 has ever been a party to. The engine revs up very quickly indeed, with a lot of torque throughout – and once it reaches 6,500rpm, the 493bhp unit gets even more frenzied than ever, ultimately reaching up to 8,500rpm. The GT3 RS 4.0 is so powerful than it can quite literally go from zero to 60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds, while the 30 Nm torque means that its in-gear response is even more dynamic, giving it a big advantage over the 3.8 litre RS.
As if all of that was not enough, the GT3 RS 4.0 also features an enhanced chassis, with lower suspension arms that, instead of rubberised bearings, actually have ball joints for that extra precision. There are also secondary springs on the rear axle of the main spring, which means that the coils can be both lighter in weight and smaller in size.
The active suspension has a dual setting, which means that there are actually two levels of damper stiffness, but broken surfaces are never a problem for the RS, and the sheer delicacy of the control mechanisms, when combined with the high speeds that the car is capable of, make the GT3 RS 4.0 a perfect fit for the racetrack.
Inside, the traditional 911 cabin has been given a bit of a spruce up with a smattering of carbon trim and lightweight supportive seating. As with other RS models, there is no radio or air conditioning in order to keep the weight of the vehicle down, but they can be added at the consumers’ discretion at no extra charge.
The interior is fine, but it is the sheer driving speed and elegance that makes the GTS RS 4.0 one of the very best of its kind.
by Autoweb
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