Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP), the importer of Porsche vehicles in Malaysia, has launched the new 911 GT3 RS at the Sepang International Circuit in conjunction with the ninth and tenth rounds of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2015 that is part of the programme of this weekend’s Asian Festival of Speed 2015 event.
First premiered at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, the new 911 GT3 RS is in essence a race car made street legal, incorporating the maximum possible degree of motorsport technology without sacrificing everyday driveability. Extensive modifications have been made to its drive system, aerodynamics and lightweight design to enhance performance even further from the 911 GT3. According to Porsche, the 911 GT3 RS’ Nurburgring North Loop time of seven minutes and 20 seconds is a full nine seconds faster than the firms own Carrera GT super car.
“The 911 GT3 RS models have always stood for top sportiness and emotional appeal. Its direct correlation with motorsports makes possible uncompromising driving dynamics and an intensive driving experience. Never before has a “GT street vehicle” been closer to its Cup and RSR cousins, both visually and functionally,” said Arnt Bayer, Chief Executive Officer of SDAP.
Powering the 911 GT3 RS is a 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine – the largest displacement in the 911 model range and most powerful among naturally aspirated versions – with 500hp of power and 460Nm of torque, channeled to the road by a specially developed PDK dual clutch transmission. Performance stats read: zero to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and to 200 km/h in 10.9 seconds. Its combined NEDC fuel consumption is 12.7 l/100 km. It comes with a number of track-optimized functions such as the ability to disengage the clutch on the move and speed limiting by the Pit Speed button.
Light weight materials feature extensively in the GT3 RS’ construction, including magnesium for its roof and carbon fibre for the engine and luggage compartment lids. This helped shave around 10 kg of weight from the already lightened 911 GT3. An additional benefit of the lightweight roof is that it lowers the vehicle’s centre of gravity for improved lateral dynamics. Main body shell comes from the 911 Turbo, but tacked on with RS-specific aerodynamic add-on parts. The front spoiler lip, which extends nearly to the road, and the large rear wing reinforce its dominant look.
A 30cm wide recess extends centrally over the CRFP bonnet and the magnesium roof. This feature is a stylistic reference to the recess on the luggage compartment lid of the classic 911 models with air-cooled engines, and today it identifies the two largest lightweight components in the 911 GT3 RS. Another characteristic is the unique front wheel arch air vents that extend into the upper section of the wings – just as in purebred motorsport cars. This increases downforce at the front axle.
The chassis of the 911 GT3 RS has been tuned for maximum driving dynamics and precision. Rear-axle steering and Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus with fully variable rear axle differential lock increase agility and dynamics, and the wider front and rear track widths enable even better roll stability than in the 911 GT3. In addition, the 911 GT3 RS comes with the widest tyres of any 911 model as standard. The results: even more agile turn-in characteristics and even higher cornering speeds.
The interior design of the 911 GT3 RS with Alcantara elements is based on the current 911 GT3. One key new feature is the full bucket seats, which are based on the carbon bucket seats of the 918 Spyder. Other standard features are the Club Sport Package with a bolted-on roll cage behind the front seats, preparation for a battery master switch, and separately provided six-point safety harness for the driver and fire extinguisher with mounting bracket.
The optional Sport Chrono Package, which features – in addition to its integrated timers – the Porsche Track Precision app for a smartphone. The Track Precision app can be used to have lap times automatically measured via GPS, and to log data on a smartphone for many driving parameters such as vehicle speed, lateral acceleration as well as acceleration and deceleration in the driving direction. It manages this data and lets the driver share and compare it with other drivers.
The base price for the new 911 GT3 RS starts from RM 1,750,000 which includes a 4-year factory warranty. The price stated includes all applicable duties but excludes registration fee, road tax and insurance. Specifications and prices are subject to change without prior notice.
Keyword: Porsche 911 GT3 RS launched in Malaysia