While the eventual 992 GT3 RS will probably eclipse it (and likely still be propelled by a non-turbo powerplant), let’s all take a minute to bow to the 911 GT3 RS. (I said all. ALL OF YOU!)
Here’s why:
Look at the top 10 lap times around the Nurburgring. While it’s a debatable benchmark, it’s one we all know and love/hate. And it’s my post so that’s what we’re using.
“Production” car laps
- 06:45.0 Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ (2018)
- 06:47.2 Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2)
- 06:48.3 Radical SR8 LM
- 06:52.0 Lamborghini Huracán LP 640-4 Performante (2017)
- 06:55.0 Radical SR8
- 06:56.4 Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.2)
- 06:57.0 Porsche 918 Spyder
- 06:59.7 Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce (2015)
- 07:01.3 Dodge Viper ACR (2017)
- 07:04.6 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro
Now, I don’t know about you, but I’ve only even heard of the Radical via video games. Do they really exist, and if so is anyone driving one around? I think not. So if it’s considered a ‘production car’ then consider me an automotive expert and let’s just scratch those two asterisks from the list.
Now.....what we have left is a very impressive list of automobiles, but one really stands out. And I’m about to tell you why.
Look at the list again, and consider the size and the horsepower of these engines:
- Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ V-12 700HP
- Porsche 911 GT2 RS (991.2) Twin-turbo 700HP
- Lamborghini Huracán LP 640-4 Performante V-10
- Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991.2) NA Flat six, 520 HP ???
- Porsche 918 Spyder Nuclear powered, 887 HP
- Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 Superveloce V-12 (yawn)
- Dodge Viper ACR 8.4 Liter!? V-10
- Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro Bi-Turbo V8
Porsche 918 -V8, with electric engines -887 HP
Aventadors -Normally aspirated, but huge V-12 engines - 700+ HP
Viper - Can you say cubic inches? A massive 8.4 liter V10 - 645 HP
911 GT2 RS has a ‘small’ flat six, but Twin-turbo with 700HP
Huracan Performante - another V-10 with 640HP
Near the bottom of the list, about 8 seconds behind the GT3 RS, the AMG has a twin-turbo V8 making only 577 HP.
And then we get to the lowly Porsche GT3 RS. No turbos. One-half the cylinders of some of the cars on this list, and less than 1/2 the size of some others. Just a flat six with a big wing. Why is this car even on this list, never mind towards the top half???
520 Horsepower? Please. I’ve read on Jalopnik that base Camrys and $30,000 Mustangs have that kind of power. GO HOME, you ass-engined, Beetle-looking, overpriced-alcantara-covered-headlight switch-optioned mobile!!!! GO HOME.
But no, there it is. Kicking ass in a slightly old-school, over-engineered, wring-out-every-HP-and-handling-trick-you-can-find kind of way. It ignores the turbo-electric-hybrid-whatever age we are in, but still GETS THE JOB DONE EFFICIENTLY.
That is why you must take a moment to bow, and acknowledge the greatness of the 991.2 911 GT3 RS.
