► Sub 7 minutes at the ‘Ring
► 2018’s hardcore Porsche
► Yours for £141k
We knew the Porsche 911 GT3 RS was quick, but now the German brand has solid proof of just how quick its latest RS is – and it’s posted it to YouTube. Porsche took the GT3 RS to the natural proving ground of performance cars, the Nordschleife, and that means we can see exactly what the new, ultimate, naturally-aspirated Porsche 911 can do.
The answer? The stock 911 GT3 RS driven by Porsche works driver Kévin Estre managed 6:56.4 around the ‘Ring’s 20.6km lap. That’s fast, but not as fast as the Lamborghini Huracán Performante – which is around 4 seconds faster – nor Porsche’s own turbo-powered 911 GT2 RS. You can watch the video above.
For everything else about the new 911 GT3 RS, keep reading.
New 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: everything you need to know
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS has made its world premiere at the 2018 Geneva motor show, and this latest hardcore track-focused version of Stuttgart’s sports car attracted more interest than the Lamborghinis and Bugattis on neighbouring stands.
You know the score by now – it’s like a GT3 but even more hardcore, if not quite as mental as the rip-your-face-off GT2 RS. Still, as a swansong for this generation of the evergreen Porsche sports car, it’s a 500bhp-plus marvel.
The headlines? A refining of the GT3’s 4.0-litre, naturally-aspirated engine that produces 513bhp and has a shrieking redline of 9000rpm. That’s 19bhp more than the GT3, and good for a 0-62mph launch in just 3.2 seconds.
New 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: performance and specs
A top speed of 194mph is possible, according to Porsche, and you only get one gearbox choice – a seven-speed PDK paddleshifter rather than an old-school manual.
Newly-developed performance tyres are wrapped around the 20-inch front alloys, while the fat rears roll on 21s and are 325mm wide for better traction.
New 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: price and kit
Don’t worry: the lime green in these first official 991.2 GT3 RS pictures is definitely an option. Other colours are available.
Inside, carbonfibre bucket racing seats, lightweight door panels and reduced sound insulation help keep the GT3 RS light.
If you fancy the full race-spec experience, the Clubsport pack throws in a roll bar, fire extinguisher, preparation for a battery disconnect and six-point harnesses.
How much? It’s yours for £141,346 with first deliveries beginning in the summer of 2018. The GT3 is regularly the favoured pick of the 911 pack here at CAR magazine – and the RS iteration adds just that bit more focus and thrill. We would anticipate this farewell 991-era version to follow suit, but we’ll know for sure when we drive it later this spring.
Check out all our Porsche reviews here