2012 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 unveiled

The biggest, baddest normally aspirated 911 was revealed in Stuttgart today. According to Porsche, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 brings together in a road car all the attributes that have made the Porsche 911 GT3 a serial winner on the race track.

The motorsport-derived flat six 4.0-litre engine, the biggest 911 engine ever, also features the highest specific output, 125 hp/litre, from a naturally-aspirated Porsche flat-six. The crankshaft has been transplanted from the 911 GT3 RSR racing car and the forged pistons’ connecting rods are fashioned from titanium. It achieves its maximum power of 500 hp at 8,250 rpm.

The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 appears to offer impressive performance, reportedly lapping the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 27 seconds. Available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission and according to Porsche, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 sprints to 100 km/h from a standing start in 3.9 seconds, its gearing designed for the racing circuit taking it to the 200 km/h mark in under 12 seconds.
The 911 GT3 RS 4.0’s outstanding driving dynamics come from numerous, meticulously coordinated, details. In addition to using suspension components typically encountered in motor racing, weight reduction is also of supreme importance. Equipped as standard with light weight components such as lightweight carbon-fibre sport bucket seats, carbon-fibre front fenders and luggage compartment lid and weight-optimized carpets, the two-seater’s ready-for-action weight is just 1,360 kilograms with a full tank of fuel. At 2.72 kg/hp, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0’s power-to-weight ratio thereby dips below the magical threshold of 3 kilograms per hp.

The limited edition 911 is painted white as standard and emphasizes its proximity to motor racing by its dynamic appearance. Signature characteristics are the wide track, the low vehicle position, the large rear wing with side plates, central twin tailpipe and the aerodynamically optimized body. Air deflection vanes mounted on either side of the front bumper – called “flics” – make their first appearance on a production Porsche. They create increased downforce on the front axle, and together with the steeply inclined rear wing, bring the vehicle into aerodynamic equilibrium. As a result, at top speed, aerodynamic forces exert an additional 190 kg pushing the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 onto the road.

Priced at $211,100, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 goes on sale in Canada in late 2011. The GT3 RS 4.0 will be limited to 600 vehicles worldwide.