Porsche recently announced that there will be at the very least one more GT3 RS model, which is significant as so many manufacturers have already moved on, abandoning the naturally aspirated engine in favor of more efficient turbocharged engines.
It has become especially prevalent in the high performance sector, where the vast majority of the cars you will see on the market either have forced induction or a hybrid drivetrain. So, this model really is one for the purists, for those unwilling to accept a turbo badge or an electric motor.
This model has given us some of the greatest naturally aspirated sports cars of all time. Cars that are just about pleasing enthusiasts, even those with no affiliation with the brand, can get excited about it.
10 996 Gets The Ball Rolling
In many ways, the 996 generation was a step back for Porsche as a brand. In an effort to streamline, they very nearly threw out the baby with the bathwater when they made the 911 on pretty much the same platform as the Boxster. Great value for Boxster buyers, not so much for the 911 faithful.
Then in 2003, they came out with this, a more track focused version of the already more focused high performance GT3. It was simply breathtaking, producing 375 horsepower in a car that weighed less than 3,000 pounds and was able to rocket from 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds.
9 Naturally Aspirated
The one thing that sets this apart from any of the other high performance Porsche, and just about any comparable performance car is the fact that it is naturally aspirated.
How they get this much power out of an engine without adding forced induction or some kind of race fuel is mind-bending. Nobody else has been able to get anywhere near as much power out of a 6-cylinder car without slapping a turbo on it.
8 Track Focussed
Although the GT3 is already, by definition and name, a track focussed model, the RS takes it one step further.
For one, it is a good 40 pounds lighter, admittedly not much, but when you consider this has a full roll cage added to it, you quickly realize just how much weight saving was necessitated.
7 Stripped Out Interior
From the outside, the decals are unmistakable, but what truly sets it apart is the interior. Both rear seats are ditched to accommodate that roll cage and everything deemed non-essential is also unceremoniously dumped.
It makes for a sparse, focussed place to be, but unlike some other track day specials you will still get air conditioning and a pair of supportive, but still comfortable seats.
6 997 Goes To America
Originally, the RS was always destined to be a limited edition, low volume car and only 682 cars made, none of which made it to the U.S. (legally).
After seeing a higher than anticipated demand for the car, they decided to make a good deal more available to the public, with official production numbers up to 3,706 in total, and a healthy percentage of those getting sold in America for the first time.
5 More Powerful 4.0
The 997 generation also saw the introduction of the more powerful 4.0 liter flat 6 engines, with the power figure going up to 490 horsepower.
Only 600 of these were made before it was eventually replaced by the slightly controversial PDK equipped 991 generation that uses the same 4.0 liter engine.
4 Nordschleife Exploits
Like every other German carmaker, Porsche has a bit of a fetish with the infamous Green Hell circuit and are determined to get the best possible lap time around the old track.
Its time of 7 minutes and 20 seconds was good, but certainly not earth-shattering considering its turbocharged sister got it done well under the magical 7-minute mark. Not satisfied, they returned once more in 2018 and subsequently set an impressive time of 6 minutes and 56 seconds.
3 Excellent Ride And Handling
One thing that does not usually go hand in hand with performance, is comfort, and in truth the GT3 RS is no exception here.
It is surprisingly compliant though and won’t be quite as demanding to drive as some equally capable track cars. Just don’t expect it to be a daily driver like many other 911s.
2 Drivers Car
What sets it apart from other cars is a certain commitment to perfection, they don’t necessarily achieve that, but they come very close.
As a result what you end up with is a real drivers' car, that makes the driver feel integral to the actual performance. Steering is crisp, and the car will simply rocket in whatever direction you point it.
1 Instant Classic
As you might imagine, such a car, made in relatively low numbers, is a very exclusive machine, with a price tag to match.
These cars have proven to be investment opportunities as prices steadily rise, with the most affordable offerings coming directly from the factory.