Intro
In 1999 Porsche began a tradition. Starting with the 996.1 the German manufacturer decided to take the notions of performance and design found in their race cars and put it on the street. Named after the FIA racing class from which they were homologated, the Porsche GT3 was born. Nearly 21 years later and the GT3 and GT3 RS are regarded as some of the most highly capable and sought after marques in the company's existence. Today, we here at John Scotti Classics are proud to present our 2011 Porsche 997.2 GT3RS, which many critics consider one of the best derivatives of the GT3 marque ever made.
Interior
The intentions of this car are easily decipherable just by taking a seat behind the wheel. Bright red 5-point harnesses are fed through the race-derived bucket seats finished in Alcantara and leather accents. Quickly, one begins to notice how this car is stripped of many options in order to reduce weight. Floor carpeting is thinner, door handles are exchanged for nylon straps and the back seats are traded for a roll cage. This being a Porsche, the points of contact for the driver are wrapped in Alcantara and maintain a luxurious feeling. While many GT3 RS’ were delivered stripped of most options, this GT3 is specced to be more convenient than that, offering sought after options like air conditioning and navigation.
Exterior
It doesn’t take an educated eye to spot what makes a GT3 RS so special. An added splitter in the front and massive carbon fibre wing in the rear offer extra downforce and grip at high speeds. Exaggerated fender flares in the front and back indicate a widening of stance to provide extra stability and grip in the turns. Centre-locking wheels mated to Porsche's intelligent PASM suspension system offers adjustable ride dynamics keeping the car stiff when needed, but also adaptable and comfortable on those less-than-perfect side roads. Both inside and out, the car has been maintained meticulously to uphold a like-new showroom quality.
Mechanics
While little deviation from its original body styling has made Porsche 911’s classically appealing throughout the years, it's what's under the hood (or in Porsche’s case, the trunk) that makes the 997.2 GT3RS a masterpiece. The spectacular 3.8L Metzger flat-six delivers power and performance in a brutally honest fashion, boasting an output of 450 hp and 317 lb/ft of torque at a delightfully high 8,500 rpm. Showing just 11,021 Km (6848mi) on the odometer, this athletic powertrain is just getting warmed up. With a powerband that hits hardest above 4,500 rpm’s and manual transmission that can be described as “heavy” in typical Porsche fashion, this car rewards a focused, intentional driving style that pushes the car all the way to the redline, wringing out every last drop of performance.
Conclusion
The ultimate German crowd pleaser. This light, happy and responsive machine sits right in the sweet spot of being both a ruler of track days and Sunday cruises. Regarded worldwide as the finest road-going track tool available it sets the standard for the rest of the cars that wish to follow in its footsteps. Driving this car forces you to critique contenders with more scrutiny as everything from the steering to the suspension to the shifting of the gears just feels...right. That high-fidelity feeling comes from a perfectly timed intersection between analog and progress. Adjustments to the engine and transmission, while improving on lap times ultimately added a feeling of automation to the driving experience on newer models. The 997.2 GT3 RS is truly the ultimate expression of an every-day, track-focused beast.
