Porsche 911 GT3 RS 992.2 Nearing Debut – The Final Phase of Testing
Back in 1999, when Porsche launched the GT3 variant of the 996 911, most assumed it was the ultimate track-hardened 911. With its race-tuned flat-6, lightweight construction, and homologated development, it would be fair to say that this was viewed as the ultimate 911. Except the nerds at Porsche clearly felt it wasn’t, and with just a little bit of tweaking, they could do better. So, following the launch of the facelifted 996.2 GT3, Porsche decided to go one stage further, shaving even further weight through lighter wheels and body panels, giving the engine slightly more horsepower and subtly tweaking aerodynamics. The result was the GT3 RS, a car that was so hardcore and race-derived it made the GT3 seem ordinary and tame. And for the last two decades, it has been an icon at every track day and drive.
The current GT3 RS, the 992.1 variant, takes the whole track-focused approach to new degrees of hardcore. It has a carbon fibre bonnet that features a central radiator and “nostril” outlets that channel airflow over the roof. It also features a hydraulically adjustable front splitter and underbody flaps like the Turbo S, and the enormous swan-neck rear wing features DRS, similar to an F1 car or a McLaren P1. It also features adjustable race-derived suspension, dynamic engine mounts, large air intakes, side-skirts, and a 4.0L 525 horsepower naturally aspirated Flat-6. The result of all of this is 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, 860kg of downforce at 177mph, and a blistering lap record around the Nürburgring of 6:44.85. It’s as far removed from the standard GT3 as an eagle is from a swallow.
Recent spy shots reveal that the camouflaged facelifted 992.2 GT3 RS is under development, and appropriately, its testing is occurring at the Nürburgring. As per every 911, this one looks almost no different from the outgoing 992.1. It features the same central radiator with “nostril” outlets, the same enormous swan-neck rear wing with DRS, large air intakes, side skirts, and even the same door handles. It even features lower lights for the blinkers, something that was removed for most 992.2s, with their blinkers being placed in their headlights. The rear diffuser has been slightly redesigned with new, small, subtle rear intakes on either side of the exhaust. We don’t yet know if it will feature the digital dashboard of the 992.2 range, but for the most part, it’s still the aggressive, but effective-looking track car that the GT3 RS has always been.
Some rumours have speculated that the new car will feature the 3.6L twin-turbo hybrid Flat-6 that most 992.2s revel in. This would certainly boost power well over the old 4.0L naturally aspirated Flat-6. However, I’m willing to bet this won’t be the case. For starters, if Porsche were going to standardise the hybrid motor, they would’ve included it in the GT3, but they didn’t. Secondly, even though the masters of Stuttgart have worked wonders around this new unit, it’s still heavier than the Flat-6. Something that is criminal to any GT3 RS. But most importantly, fitting a unit just for the sake of power ruins the spirit of the GT3 RS. At their core, GT3 and GT3 RSs are track-focused sports cars designed to thrill, not supercars designed to break records.
To do that, there’s the upcoming GT2 RS, which more than likely will feature the 3.6L hybrid Flat-6. Ultimately, Porsche know that to appeal to GT3 RS customers means creating the most pure, mechanical, race-tuned thriller on the market. And fitting it with anything other than its 4.0L naturally aspirated Flat-6 just feels so wrong. Especially considering that there’s a high possibility, this car will be the Swansong for that engine. Recently, Mercedes launched spy shots of the new track-hard AMG GT, which will more than likely rival either this or the GT2 RS. And whilst it looks mighty impressive, there’s no denying that it will have to come with a free rocket to be as good as the GT3 RS. Ultimately, there’s a reason why this thing has lasted two decades. And with the end in sight, there’s no denying that if this is the Swansong, its going out with a Flat-6 roar and bang.
