On a weekend filled with racing action, Porsche Malaysia introduces the motorsport-derived 911 GT3 RS at Sepang International Circuit, alongside the return of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023. The new 911 GT3 RS was unveiled by Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance, Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific and Nazim Azman, Sime Darby Racing Team race driver.
Malaysia. On a weekend keenly focused on racetrack performance, Porsche Malaysia introduces the brand’s latest and greatest track star to the nation. The legendary Porsche 911 is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023, and Porsche Malaysia pays tribute to the icon that has shaped countless sports car dreams with the launch of the new, razor-sharp 911 GT3 RS.
“The new 911 GT3 RS resembles a race car more closely than ever before, offering near Cup car-like performance for our growing base of track enthusiast customers. Having proven itself both on the racetrack and the road, we are delighted to introduce this highly anticipated model during the second Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race weekend in Malaysia, with motorsport passion in the air,” said Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance.
“While we enjoy the spectacle of 911 GT3 Cup cars unleashing their performance around Sepang this weekend, the 911 GT3 RS is a perfect example of how this on-track performance is distilled into our legendary RS models. With more drivers honing their skills behind the wheel of the new 911 GT3 RS, we look forward to elevating motorsport fascination in Malaysia, and perhaps even developing a stronger pipeline of Malaysian drivers moving up the motorsport pyramid,” added Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific.
Uncompromisingly designed for maximum performance, the 386 kW (525 PS) road-legal high- performance sports car takes full advantage of motorsport technology. Over and above the high- revving naturally aspirated engine with racing DNA and the intelligent lightweight construction on the new 911 GT3 RS, its cooling and aerodynamic systems form the closest link to its motorsport sibling, the 911 GT3 R.
Motorsport-derived central radiator concept integral for active aerodynamics
The basis for a significant aerodynamic performance boost is the concept of a central radiator – an idea that was first used in the Le Mans class-winning 911 RSR and in the latest-generation 911 GT3 R. Instead of the three-radiator layout seen in the 911 GT3, the new 911 GT3 RS relies on a large, angled centre radiator in the car’s nose, positioned where the luggage compartment is located on other 911 models.
This has made it possible to use the space freed up on the sides to integrate active aerodynamic elements. Continuously adjustable wing elements in the front and on the two-part rear wing, in combination with a number of other aerodynamic measures, provide 409 kg of total downforce at 200 km/h. This means that the new 911 GT3 RS generates twice as much downforce as its 991.2-generation predecessor and three times as much as a current 911 GT3. At 285 km/h, total downforce is 860 kg.
A drag reduction system (DRS) is fitted in a production Porsche for the first time. To achieve low drag and higher speeds on straight sections of the track, the DRS allows the wings to be flattened out at the push of a button, within a specific operating range. The airbrake function is also activated during braking at high speeds: the wing elements at the front and rear are set to maximum, creating an aerodynamic deceleration effect that significantly supports the brakes.
The look of the new 911 GT3 RS is characterised by the large number of functional aerodynamic elements. The most prominent feature of the GT sports car is the swan-neck-supported rear wing, which is significantly larger in all dimensions. The rear wing consists of a fixed main wing and an upper, hydraulically adjustable wing element. For the first time on a Porsche production vehicle, the upper edge of the rear wing is higher than the car’s roof. In addition, the front end of the 911 GT3 RS features a front splitter that divides the air flowing over and underneath, with sideblades accurately deflecting outwards for increased lateral stability.
Louvred strakes above the front wings, in the style of the iconic Le Mans-winning 911 GT1, reduce the turbulent pressure in the wheel arches. Hot air from the centrally positioned radiator flows out via large nostrils on the front lid, and fins on the roof direct the air outwards, ensuring cooler air enters the engine intakes at the rear. In the new 911 GT3 RS, the openings in widened the rear arches are used exclusively to improve aerodynamics and not to draw in process air. The rear wheel arch also features an intake and a sideblade for optimised airflow. The rear diffuser comes from the 911 GT3, and has been slightly adapted.
Suspension adjustments on-the-fly
The focus on aerodynamic performance is so detailed on the new 911 GT3, that even suspension components are optimised: components of the double-wishbone front axle are designed with teardrop-shaped profiles, increasing downforce on the front axle by around 40 kg at top speed. Because of the widened front track (29 millimetres wider than the 911 GT3), the double- wishbone front axle links on the new 911 GT3 RS are also correspondingly longer.
The 911 GT3 RS offers three driving modes: Normal, Sport and Track. In Track mode, more detailed settings can be individually adjusted in several stages, for example the rebound and compression damping of the front and rear axles, the amount of lock on the rear differential and also the Drag Reduction System (DRS). Four rotary dials are located on the steering wheel for this adjustment process, displayed dynamically via specific displays in the instrument cluster.
High-revving four liter six-cylinder boxer engine
The 4.0-litre high-revving naturally aspirated engine has been further optimised compared with the 911 GT3. The increase in power to 386 kW (525 PS) is achieved primarily via new camshafts with modified cam profiles. The single-throttle intake system and the rigid valve drive are derived from motorsport. The seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) has a shorter overall gear ratio than the 911 GT3. Air intakes on the underbody ensure that the transmission can withstand even extreme loads during frequent use on track.
The 911 GT3 RS accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 296 km/h in seventh gear. Aluminium monobloc fixed-calliper brakes with six pistons each and brake discs with a diameter of 408 mm are used on the front axle. Compared with the 911 GT3, the piston diameters have been increased from 30 to 32 mm. In addition, the thickness of the discs has been increased from 34 to 36 mm.
The rear axle continues to be fitted with 380-mm brake discs and four-piston fixed-calliper brakes. The optionally available Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) has 410-mm discs on the front axle and 390-mm discs on the rear axle. The new 911 GT3 RS comes standard with forged light-alloy centre-lock wheels. Road-legal sports tyres measuring 275/35 R 20 at the front and 335/30 R21 at the rear ensure a high level of mechanical grip.
Lightweight construction all the way
Intelligent lightweight construction has been a basic principle of all RS models ever since the legendary 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Thanks to an array of lightweight construction measures such as the extensive use of CFRP, the 911 GT3 RS weighs in at only 1,450 kg (kerb weight according to DIN) despite many larger components. The doors, front wings, roof and front lid, for example, are made from CFRP. Lightweight CFRP is also used in the interior, for example in the standard full bucket seats.
Available with Clubsport and Weissach packages
When it comes to its interior, the new GT sports car is finished in typical RS style: black leather, Racetex and carbon-weave finish characterise the purist, sporting ambience. The 911 GT3 RS is available with the Clubsport package at no extra cost. This includes a steel rollover bar, a hand- held fire extinguisher and six-point seat belts for the driver.
The Weissach package, which is available at extra cost, involves considerably more. The front lid, roof, parts of the rear wing and the upper shell of the exterior mirrors feature a carbon-weave finish. The front and rear anti-roll bars, the rear coupling rods and the shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP and contribute to a further enhancement of the driving dynamics. The rollover bar, constructed for the first time from CFRP, saves around six kilograms compared with the steel version.
Another highlight of the Weissach package is the PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology. This makes gear changes even more dynamic thanks to a more precise pressure point and a clearly perceptible click. Optionally available with the Weissach package are magnesium forged wheels, which save another eight kilograms. For more information on the new 911 GT3 RS, kindly contact the nearest Porsche Centre to book your interest.
Exclusive Porsche Design Chronograph
Inspired by the motorsport mindset – where maximum precision is paramount – Porsche’s own watchmaking operation in Solothurn, Switzerland, has developed the 911 GT3 RS chronograph. This mechanical watch is reserved for owners of the car. It is based on a glass-bead blasted case, made from either natural or black titanium, and with a screw-down crown.
Inside the watch is the mechanical Porsche Design chronograph calibre WERK 01.200, which has been COSC-certified for its high accuracy. Its flyback function allows the wearer to start, stop and reset the second hand with a single action. The chronograph pushers, which feature
‘Start/Stop’ and ‘Next Lap’ laser engravings, reveal that this chronograph is not just about telling the time. In addition to innovations, such as the pulsometer scale on the bezel, many design features and materials from the GT3 RS are also found.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is priced starting from RM2,630,000. Find out more, visit our website at https://bit.ly/911GT3RS-launch.
The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2023 continues its adrenaline-pumping journey with a second weekend of races – rounds 9 & 10 at Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia. Watch the Sime Darby Racing Team in live action on Porsche Malaysia’s Facebook and YouTube. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/PorscheMY_PCCA_2023.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/280032304661922/280032314661921
YouTube:
Round 9 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icSFPnBLwWs
Round 10 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TWz6OlcdzM
