Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0

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Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0Expert Rating:




What is it?
A one-of-600 hit of pure 911 adrenaline. The regular GT3 RS is anintoxicating, intense driving experience itself, but this limited run,4.0-litre version is even more so. Boasting greater power and even lessweight it's about as intimate a 911 driving experience you'll ever get.It's about as close as a race car for the road as you'll get too, yetit's not as compromised as you might think as a result.



Is it any good?
The 'standard' 3.8-litre GT3 RS is sensational, as is its non-RS GT3sibling, so the GT3 RS 4.0 comes from a proven bloodline. Porsche hasdone what it does best and made lots of small but significant changesto up the performance and decrease the weight. The kerb weight drops by10kg thanks to lighter polycarbonate windows, carpets and carbon fibrefront wings and bonnet. The mechanical changes all relate to the 4.0'sracing RSR relative, the engine's increased capacity thanks to theracer's crankshaft, while other internal revisions in titanium allowthe 50bhp increase in power to 493bhp. The torque's increased too, itadding to the engine's mid-range flexibility without robbing it of itshighly entertaining high-rev intensity.



Unsurprisingly it's fast. Devilishly so, with 62mph arriving in just3.9 seconds. Third gear will see the wrong side of 90mph. The crushingease by which the RS 4.0 piles on the power is incredible. There's noobvious let up in its acceleration, at least not on the road. On trackthe RS will shine, the enhanced aerodynamics (a steeper angle of attackon the rear spoiler and front-end controlling air 'flics') helping theRS manage and utilise the air rushing by it. The suspension has beenfettled too, with the rear lower mounts rose-jointed for greaterprecision. The way the RS rides on even our lumpy, bumpy roads is veryimpressive given its obvious focus.



It's the interaction that makes the driving experience so intoxicatingthough. There's little that can deliver the same sort of urgency mixedwith a feeling of control. The steering is rich in its weighting, theclarity and level of communication from the wheel's rim allowing thedriver to really exploit the RS's potential. For something so rapid andso single-minded it's never intimidating, its responses so faithful toyour input you'll never tire of driving it. Simple pleasures like themechanical action of the six-speed gearshift, the purity of thesteering, the immediate, seat-belt testing braking power and the soundof that 4.0-litre engine being worked hard behind you add up one of themost enjoyable driving experiences money can buy.

Should I call the bank manager?
With just 600 being built you're probably too late. To get your handson one you'll be known to Porsche and more than likely purchased yourfair share of GT3 and RS models previously. The £128,466 price tag isunlikely to trouble you then. That's a pretty rock solid investment, asthe 4.0's status as the ultimate RS means it's already a bona fideclassic. To that hefty list price (£20k more than the standard RS) youmight want to add some more money for PCCB ceramic composite brakes anda lithium-ion lightweight battery, both fitting in nicely with the RS'slightweight, ultimate racer focus.
Summary

The added flexibility of the 4.0-litre engine allied to the added kudosof having a limited-run ultimate RS is certain to project the RS 4.0into the stratosphere as a must-have model for Porsche's mostdiscerning customers. The changes undeniably add up to a greater whole,but for all but the most demanding drivers the standard RS isn't goingto leave them wanting for more. For the handful with the means andaccess to it the 4.0 is sensational, though we're not so sure about thestickers...