2018 Porsche 911 GT3 RS – everything you need to know

That’s a recipe Porsche has perfected over the decades and its newest offering, the 911 GT3 RS announced today, seems set to advance the cause – and all without a turbocharger in sight. 

The new Renn Sport version of the GT3, Porsche’s performance hero for this year’s Geneva Motor Show on 6 March, is neither the most powerful nor fastest 911, but the allure of its naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat six will be real enough for diehard 911 fans, even if they may be disappointed by the lack of a manual gearbox. Unlike the regular GT3, the RS is PDK only.

The engine is mighty: with 513bhp it kicks out 20bhp more than the last RS, or the current GT3, and has a red line on the tachometer that doesn’t start until… 9000rpm. It’s Porsche’s most powerful series production non-turbo ever. 0-62mph takes 3.2 seconds and top speed is 193mph.

It’s on track where the RS has been built to really excel, with its circuit-tuned suspension centred on a recalibrated rear-axle steering set-up for what Porsche says are even more agile reactions. Solid ball joints, rather than elasto-kinematic, are one measure of the motorsport-inspired chassis.

There are new wheels and tyre package, with 20-inch forged alloys up front shod with 265/35 rubber and at the rear 21s wearing 325/30 tyres. A track-day friendly Clubsport package of roll-over bar, fire extinguisher and six-point driver’s harness is a no-cost option, while if you are really serious there’s a Weissach pack that gets the weight down to 1430kg. It comprises carbon-fibre reinforced plastic components for the chassis, interior and exterior, as well as optional magnesium wheels.

We’re not sure about the Kermit green paint job, but in other ways, this purest of all 911s surely strikes just the right balance of beauty and beast. The classic graphics, that huge fixed rear wing, those black grilles and intakes…there’s not much not to like here for 911 fans. On the inside too with its pared-back nature but unswerving focus on the essentials, none more so than deeply sculpted carbon-reinforced seats and huge white-faced tacho with its 9,000rpm redline centre stage in the instrument binnacle.

Another great motorsport-inspired 911? Seems so, as well as a member of an increasingly rare, un-turbocharged breed. It’s available to order now for summer deliveries… but demand is likely to be high. Please do tell us if you have been able to snag one for the recommended retail price of £141,346…

Your guide to current 911 hierarchy

Entry level: 911 Carrera, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, 370hp, 4.6seconds, 183mph, manual or PDK

Entry level with extra: Carrera S, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, 420hp, 191mph, 4.3seconds, manual or PDK

Starting to get tasty: Carrera GTS, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, 450hp, 4.1seconds, 193mph

Very tasty: 911 GT3, 4.0-litre, naturally-aspirated, 500hp, 3.4 seconds, 198mph, manual or PDK 

Very motorsport tasty: 911 GT3 RS, 4.0-litre, naturally-aspirated, 520hp, 3.2 seconds, 193mph, PDK-only

Fast luxury 911: 911 Turbo, 3.8-litres, turbocharged, 540hp, 3.0seconds, 198mph, PDK

Even faster luxury 911: 911 Turbo S Exclusuve, 3.8-litres, turbocharged, 607hp, 2.9seconds, 205mph, PDK

And completely bonkers: GT2 RS, 3.8-litres, turbocharged, 700hp, 2.8seconds, 211mph, PDK