GENEVA-PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS 2015 PREMIER

USPA NEWS - Upcoming Porsche 911 GT3 RS will have a 4.0-liter flat-six engine good for 500 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, and with a redline of 8,800 rpm.

Those figures represent a big increase over Porsche's current track-focused model, the 2015 911 GT3, which has a 3.8-liter flat-six engine producing 475 hp and 324 lb-ft. A seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic is the only transmission choice.
While it applies specifically to the European-market Porsche 911 GT3 RS, the leaked planning document reveals some of the chassis and bodywork changes in store for the RS compared to the standard GT3. The RS coupe's front fenders are 1.98 inch wider than a GT3 and the rear fenders are 1.2 inch wider, and the entire car's track width is increased by 1.4 inch. Within those wider fenders sit 20x9.5-inch front and 21x12.5-inch rear tire.

To help save weight, many parts of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS are made from carbon fiber: The front fenders, the rear engine cover, the "frunk" trunklid, the fixed rear wing, and the bucket seats. The roof panel is made from magnesium, and the doors have "lightweight" interior panels with fabric loops inside of plastic grab handles. Visual flair includes silver seatbelts, assorted "GT3 RS" badges, a GT3 RS-specific Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and tinted taillights. The car also has a "Pit Speed" button on the steering wheel that, like in a race car, can temporarily limit the car's velocity, such as when entering or exiting a track.

The options list includes a Clubsport package that's meant for hardcore track users. It features a roll cage, wiring preparation for a battery cut-off switch, a six-point racing harness and HANS brace connector for the driver, and a fire extinguisher. Experience with past iterations of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS suggests that pack won't be offered in the U.S. market.