Porsche GT3 Editorial 27/11/07 15:31 Page 095
him rapidly. Now that's what RS performance is all about, The track eater
as we danced yet again, back end sliding, through a fast right Whilst amazingly quick, to this sampler, the RS doesn't feel like
hander. No drama, just incredible competence. To onlookers it an intimidatingly powerful car; in a straight-line sprint Ferrari's
was a blistering demonstration of an ultimate performance new 430 Scuderia feels quicker, and is quicker - a challenge
motor delivering the goods; openmouthed, they stared, Porsche are more likely to match with the GT2 than the RS.
pointed, and laughed at the display. 'Incredible!' were the The RS on the other hand, has just the right power to weight to
expressions. And believe me, it was! make it really quick, when handling matters most. That's when
Seated behind the wheel myself - and the tight purposeful many will struggle to match the pace of the GT3 RS, for in the
feel alone is enough to give the message. There's a firm feel right hands it is a master at its trade.
to the steering, razor-sharp throttle response, and a master Staying with Snetterton, the RS again lacks that hard edged
precision feel to the gearbox. The optional carbon ceramic feel of its predecessor, yet still outperforms it, eating up lap,
brakes fitted to our car hint at providing the confidence required after lap, after lap. The RS is so sure footed and confidence
to shave off the high speeds, yet are deceptive by their initial inspiring, that you'll overtake on the outside of a fast tight bend
lack of graduated feel. But right now they are cold. Warm them if you have to, confident with the grip and power of that rear
a little, and they soon give you the confidence you were waiting end. On Snetterton's back straight you'll be almost bored
for to exploit the performance of a car that seems limitless in waiting for it to end, and then grimace when the challenge to
PORSCHE 997 GT3 RS
its potential. attack a bend comes round again. Great fun (which it should
Engine 3,600 24v flat six
This car was made for people with driving ability no doubt be) yet unequivocally competent. The RS is earning its keep in
Power 409 bhp @7,600 rpm
greater than the vast majority of its owners - you need to be a a way no other version of the car can.
Transmission: 6 speed manual
Walter Rohl (Porsche's Chief test driver and ex-rally Champion) You really don't have to ask us if the RS matches
Top speed: 192 mph
to even get close to the car's potential. But then the RS creates expectations. The answer, for the record, is 'no'. It exceeds
Acceleration in sec: 0 - 62 mph 4.2 secs
that 'driving' ambition in you, and each time you leave the car them... just how much further will the 911 concept go?
Fuel Consumption 22 mpg (average)
it'll prompt a reflective thought that 'maybe next time' you'll We ask that question all the time, and each and every time
match Mr Rawls performance behind the wheel… You wish, Porsche has an answer. This time it's the 997 GT3 RS.
and so do I.
Apply full power in first, then second up to 8,400 rpm,
kissing that red line, and the RS propels you forward with
a firm, progressive unrelenting push in the back. It steers like
a go kart, razor sharp, yet forever rooted. Swapping gears
is a precise, perfectly weighted affair, and that keen yet
controllable throttle never fails to anticipate the moment your
toes, never mind your right foot, communicate a new message.
The back end of the RS feels immoveable, defying the
science of the engine's rear end location, but let's face it,
Porsche have had over 40 years to sort that little anomaly out,
and they have done it admirably. In fact, better than ever this
time. You can, of course provoke the rear out to 'play' at quite
an angle and for a good distance. Inducing oversteer helps to
smoothe out a challenging tight S bend if you have to, as we
did on the awkward tight chicane at Snetterton. Get that wrong
and you could end up damaging your suspension, or making
an unintended, clumsy, and embarrassing entrance to the pits,
but the RS gives you the confidence to 'misbehave' into it every
single time. Each assault on that chicane proved a challenge;
hard, hard, hard on the ceramics, and deep into the first turn,
lift off the throttle sharp, and flick the steering to provoke a slide
at the rear, 'catching it' on the throttle with hard acceleration just
before the tight apex. That'll allow you to punt that RS through
the chicane with attitude.
Such tactics pay tribute to just about every aspect of the
RS spec sheet, complemented by the wholly remarkable
(sadly optional) ceramic brakes. There's not many cars that you
can do that with, time and time again, yet the RS seems to be
made to be driven in exactly that way.
torque | 095
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164