If you know Porsche’s history, then you understand the 911 line has run for close to eternity. And just when the company thought it closed the books on the legendary 997 lineage, a final one went into production - the GT3 4.0. Limited to 600 units, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 has all the attributes of a road car that make the GT3 a habitual winner.
German automakers are not the type to relent to media pressure. But in the late '90s, word was going around that the 911 line was going soft. Porsche didn’t take these claims lightly. The result was the GT3 launched in 1999, with a potent RS variant.
Like most track-focused Porsches, the RS 4.0 comes with impressive performance. It’s lighter and handles better with added power. The ‘4.0’ in the title isn’t a fancy number to make it look fast or capable. It’s the engine displacement.
GT3s used the 3.8-liter flat-six, but the RS 4.0 borrows the 4.0-liter engine from a track-only RSR and GT3 R. The additional displacement gives it a longer stroke since Porsche could not increase the cylinder bore. The titanium connecting rods and a single-mass flywheel also help cut off a few pounds.
The RS 4.0 gets a higher-flow air filter, a modified intake manifold with shorter runners, and a less restrictive exhaust. It significantly cuts the backpressure raising the noise in equal pressure. The outcome is a 50 HP boost in horsepower, to 500 HP.
The 4.0-liter engine is the biggest 911 model engine ever. At the time it was also the most powerful naturally aspirated Porsche engine, with a maximum output of 500 HP achieved at 8,250 rpm. Here's the kicker, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Type 997 can make it around the Nürburgring in 7 minutes 27 seconds.
This Porsche doesn’t come with the iconic PDK dual-clutch transmission. The RS 4.0 comes with three pedals and one clutch. The six-speed manual is the only configuration, with its gearing developed for racing circuits. It can do the 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.9 seconds and can get to 124 mph (200 kph) in less than 20-seconds.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 has outstanding driving dynamics. It has superb handling and its transition from oversteer is smooth and easy to manage. Carbon-ceramic discs are an option for the GT3 RS 4.0, but when depressed, the brakes bite instantly and hard.
The special Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Type 997 didn't come cheap, but that never stopped anyone before. The iconic 911 sold for $185,950 in 2011 and currently goes for about $320,000 or more.
This limited edition 911 comes standard in white or black to emphasize its racing pedigree. Common characteristics include a wide track, low seating position, large wing, aerodynamic body, and centralized exhaust.
Humphrey is a car enthusiast whose love and passion for automobiles extended into collecting, writing, driving, and working on cars. He got his passion for cars from his Dad, who spent thousands of hours working on his old junky 1970 E20 Toyota Corolla. Years later, he would end up doing the same with a series of lemons he’s owned throughout his adult life. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News