GT3 RS 4.0 Official announcement and video

[CWS]

So much for the doubters.

RXHNJGf3A5k

Microsite:
http://www.porsche.com/microsite/911gt3rs4/usa.aspx

Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
ATLANTA, April 28, 2011 -- /PRNewswire/ -- The 911 GT3 RS, one of Porsche's most popular, coveted and successful track-inspired production cars, has been given a final, thrilling injection of thoroughbred motorsport technology resulting in the 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0. Limited to 600 vehicles worldwide, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 brings together in a sports car the attributes that have made the Porsche 911 GT3 a consistent winner on the race track.
The motorsport-derived 4.0-liter engine, already the highest displacement 911 engine ever, also features the highest per-liter output -- 125 horsepower (hp) per liter -- from a naturally aspirated Porsche flat-six engine. The engine uses forged pistons, the connecting rods are fashioned from titanium, and the crankshaft has been lifted unchanged from the 911 GT3 RSR race car. It achieves its maximum power of 500 hp at 8,250 rpm. Maximum torque of 339 ft/lbs is reached at 5,750 rpm.
The 911 GT3 RS 4.0 offers truly impressive performance, lapping the famed Nurburgring-Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 27 seconds. Available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.8 seconds, and with its gearing designed for the race circuit it reaches the 124 mph mark on the race track in under 12 seconds.
The 911 GT3 RS 4.0's outstanding driving dynamics come from numerous, meticulously coordinated details. In addition to using suspension components typically encountered in motor racing, weight reduction is also of supreme importance. Equipped as standard with lightweight components such as light but strong carbon fiber sport bucket seats, carbon fiber front fenders and luggage compartment lid, and weight-optimized carpets, the two-seater's ready-for-action weight is just 2,998 lbs with a full fuel tank. The 911 GT3 RS 4.0's power-to-weight ratio is 5.99 lbs/hp.
This limited edition 911 is painted Carrara White as standard and emphasizes its proximity to motor racing by its dynamic appearance. Signature characteristics are the wide track, the low vehicle position, the large rear wing with side plates, central twin tailpipe, and the aerodynamically optimized body. Air deflection vanes mounted on either side of the front bumper – called 'flics' or dive planes – make their first appearance on a production Porsche. They create increased downforce on the front axle, and together with the steeply inclined rear wing, provide aerodynamics on par with its performance capabilities. As a result, at the 193 mph top track speed, aerodynamic forces exert an additional 426 lbs of downforce, thus pushing the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 onto the road.
With a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $185,000 (excluding destination), the new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 goes on sale in the United States in late 2011.
Read more: http://www.sunherald.com/2011/04/28/3062818/porsche-911-gt3-rs-40-biggest.html#ixzz1KobkfMPQ

Chris Harris/EVO video and article:

NO3usApt-x4 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO3usApt-x4)

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/267253/porsche_911_gt3_rs_40_news_pictures_and_video.html

[FTS]

Great catch!

The engine spec looks to be pretty the amazing, need to digest the rest.

Thank you,

[jenk12m]

I was still looking for something a little more exotic styling wise. I'm sure the power and downforce is plenty. I doubt we will get the lexan rear pieces or the seats of course

[FTS]

Curb weight is listed under 3K lbs, 22 less than base RS.

With 600 to be produced ww, let's see how many RS3.8s come back to market ;)

This one is quite special I think, given that it is the last Mezger (or is it?) at 125/ltr! $185K seems reasonable to me, although I cannot afford, compared to the GT2 and GT2RS, slots in nicely.

[TRAKCAR]

I think it's perfect.

[Trackrat]

Let me add some additional information. If you quote any of this elsewhere, please respect this as original information and kindly provide attribution and a link back to this thread or you will be hunted down like the dog you are :-)(

Do not copy this post in its entirety to other forums or publishings please

The new car is not an RSR on license plates and is not meant to be the new RS, and not meant to be a successor to the glorious RS 3.8

In reality the 4.0 project is meant to be a "good bye" edition to the 997 GT car era, based on an RS second gen. It still is an RS second gen., only with an "enriched RS flavor" by using parts of the 2RS and engine mods using the gained experience with the 4 Litre racemill.

The very difficult engineering part was to get full 500 hp out of the engine and still keep it street legal........upping the displacement to 4 Liters would have only yielded 470 to 475 hp.

The rest was hard engineering work: Crankshaft from RSR and Cup R (not derived, same part!), modified titanium rods, new intake manifold, heads with different cr than the RS 3.8, new airbox, new airfilter, less restrictive catalyst w. 300 cells, reinforced clutch, reinforced cam adjusters, reinforced chain tensioner, complete new ECU program and the list goes on. Result is an street legal normally aspirated engine with an honest 125 hp/l.

That means 83 hp per cylinder.....compare that with any of the competition....durability is absolutely not affected, the engine is a tough as nails and will last, its really bulletproof.

Throttle response is razor sharp, rev up dynamics better than ever despite the longer stroke, low end bite from 2000rpm on.

Weight is 1360 kgs or even a little less, topped off with all fluids in the lightest spec. Lightweight bits from the 2RS but painted as gelcoat adds weight. Gear ratios same as RS 3.8

A pure Motorsports project, not influenced by marketing department. A new, less obtrusive look was sought hence the white and painted carbon bits. Very clean, almost innocent but still very racy and not aggressive.

Huge fenders, RSR exhaust, etc etc equals a car that would never see the light of day as it could not be made street legal. Already difficult to make the GT cars fully street legal in USA.

[CWS]

Let me add some additional information. If you quote any of this elsewhere, please respect this as original information and kindly provide attribution and a link back to this thread or you will be hunted down like the dog you are :-)(

The new car is not an RSR on license plates and is not meant to be the new RS, and not meant to be a successor to the glorious RS 3.8

In reality the 4.0 project is meant to be a "good bye" edition to the 997 GT car era, based on an RS second gen. It still is an RS second gen., only with an "enriched RS flavor" by using parts of the 2RS and engine mods using the gained experience with the 4 Litre racemill.

The very difficult engineering part was to get full 500 hp out of the engine and still keep it street legal........upping the displacement to 4 Liters would have only yielded 470 to 475 hp.

The rest was hard engineering work: Crankshaft from RSR and Cup R (not derived, same part!), modified titanium rods, new intake manifold, heads with different cr than the RS 3.8, new airbox, new airfilter, less restrictive catalyst w. 300 cells, reinforced clutch, reinforced cam adjusters, reinforced chain tensioner, complete new ECU program and the list goes on. Result is an street legal normally aspirated engine with an honest 125 hp/l.

That means 83 hp per cylinder.....compare that with any of the competition....durability is absolutely not affected, the engine is a tough as nails and will last, its really bulletproof.

Throttle response is razor sharp, rev up dynamics better than ever despite the longer stroke, low end bite from 2000rpm on.

Weight is 1360 kgs or even a little less, topped off with all fluids in the lightest spec. Lightweight bits from the 2RS but painted as gelcoat adds weight. Gear ratios same as RS 3.8

A pure Motorsports project, not influenced by marketing department. A new, less obtrusive look was sought hence the white and painted carbon bits. Very clean, almost innocent but still very racy and not aggressive.

Huge fenders, RSR exhaust, etc etc equals a car that would never see the light of day as it could not be made street legal. Already difficult to make the GT cars fully street legal in USA.


Exactly! Sick of all the whinging on other forums. This is a pretty special car.

[TRAKCAR]

The rest was hard engineering work: Crankshaft from RSR and Cup R (not derived, same part!), modified titanium rods, new intake manifold, heads with different cr than the RS 3.8, new airbox, new airfilter, less restrictive catalyst w. 300 cells, reinforced clutch, reinforced cam adjusters, reinforced chain tensioner, complete new ECU program and the list goes on. Result is an street legal normally aspirated engine with an honest 125 hp/l.


Very very cool. Thanks fo posting! Where do you get this stuff!?

[adias]

Very nice car!

[SH || NC]

Just amazing.....

[Trackrat]

Very very cool. Thanks fo posting! Where do you get this stuff!?

;)

It should prove to be an awesome car for trackrats. I dig it.

[adam]

Let me add some additional information. If you quote any of this elsewhere, please respect this as original information and kindly provide attribution and a link back to this thread or you will be hunted down like the dog you are :-)(

The new car is not an RSR on license plates and is not meant to be the new RS, and not meant to be a successor to the glorious RS 3.8

In reality the 4.0 project is meant to be a "good bye" edition to the 997 GT car era, based on an RS second gen. It still is an RS second gen., only with an "enriched RS flavor" by using parts of the 2RS and engine mods using the gained experience with the 4 Litre racemill.

The very difficult engineering part was to get full 500 hp out of the engine and still keep it street legal........upping the displacement to 4 Liters would have only yielded 470 to 475 hp.

The rest was hard engineering work: Crankshaft from RSR and Cup R (not derived, same part!), modified titanium rods, new intake manifold, heads with different cr than the RS 3.8, new airbox, new airfilter, less restrictive catalyst w. 300 cells, reinforced clutch, reinforced cam adjusters, reinforced chain tensioner, complete new ECU program and the list goes on. Result is an street legal normally aspirated engine with an honest 125 hp/l.

That means 83 hp per cylinder.....compare that with any of the competition....durability is absolutely not affected, the engine is a tough as nails and will last, its really bulletproof.

Throttle response is razor sharp, rev up dynamics better than ever despite the longer stroke, low end bite from 2000rpm on.

Weight is 1360 kgs or even a little less, topped off with all fluids in the lightest spec. Lightweight bits from the 2RS but painted as gelcoat adds weight. Gear ratios same as RS 3.8

A pure Motorsports project, not influenced by marketing department. A new, less obtrusive look was sought hence the white and painted carbon bits. Very clean, almost innocent but still very racy and not aggressive.

Huge fenders, RSR exhaust, etc etc equals a car that would never see the light of day as it could not be made street legal. Already difficult to make the GT cars fully street legal in USA.
There you go ... see? ... nice, enriched flavor to the koolaid after all ...

Razor sharp ... is the throw of the crank all that different, anyway?

I wonder why anyone would consider a 4.0RS as anything other than an incremental successor to the 3.8RS just as the 3.8 was a successor to the 3.6RS -- large increments, but still exactly the same car at its core.

Preuninger already claims "bulletproof" (cough) without so much as having the first production car turn a wheel ... does this mean they changed the coolant and power steering fittings?

Gelcoat adds weight ... adds production costs for quality assurance and I have to wonder if the matt-finish CF on the GT2 RS received less than flattering comments from sight-unseen buyers.

At what point does a white Porsche 911 with white wheels, a giant wing hanging above the rear with full body decals and PORSCHE in six inch lettering become an understated "innocent" or "socially acceptable" appearance?

Not so much as one word about the steel rotors?

Well, all that marketing nonsense aside, I think the engine will be a lot of fun and it's not hard to address the remaining shortcomings of this last 3RS.

[jenk12m]

i think the car is a beast, i still wanted the 993RSR look to it. it just sucks that the euro spec is always better than the US. i havent seen many people saying that they are on the list to get one though. i would love to have one but im still trying to get to peter's times in my RS without going to hoosiers :)

[TRAKCAR]

You get Hoosiers, I get slicks. Game over till 4.0. Might as well place the order now..

[CWS]

Not so much as one word about the steel rotors?


Luv'em!

Kept it to one word - hope it's clear. :)

[FFaust]

Thanks for the details Pete.

[FFaust]

Luv'em!

Kept it to one word - hope it's clear. :)
+ 1

Until they crack too much, but they are a consumable after all.

[FTS]

Now that I am home from work and actually have time to digest this stuff, I am just mesmerized with this car. I had convinced myself that this "rumor" was not something that I would desire, I have my GT3, and fits me and my needs perfectly, I do not need an RS38 and certainly not a RS40. I also thought Porsche would not spend the money for the R&D to really push the engine to 500 hp, it is just too much for a street car, they would reserve that level of power to the next version, 911 or what ever it is.

Well, I am really surprised by this. Normally aspirated, reliable, engine with GT2 level power! How sweet would this be? I also like the comparatively understated look, just superb. I WANT ONE!!!

[CWS]

I also thought Porsche would not spend the money for the R&D to really push the engine to 500 hp, it is just too much for a street car, they would reserve that level of power to the next version, 911 or what ever it is.

Majority of engine R&D was already spent in developing the GT3 RSR race car. Virtually everything else with exception of airbox is straight off the GT2 RS. Rather than additional R&D spend, this is a way to amortize R&D already spent. Very logical.

[FTS]

In terms of R&D I meant adapting some of the RSR components into a steet environment, not engine design. The cost I am sure was significantly lower than designing it from ground up, but developing neww specs for the engine, which a mixture of RS38 components and RSR 40 components with warranty must have required some development. i thought they wouldn't spend it, or defocus resources from the next version's development. In either case, they nailed it IMHO :)

[jenk12m]

Who thought we would see the day when there was 500hp from a NA gt car

[Xeattle]

Does anyone know if they have fixed the coolant line epoxy issues on this 4.0 motor? I'm just wondering if there is a new water pump manifold with built in fittings or if they have done away with the epoxy glued in fittings.

Maybe there will be a Porsche part that can be retrofitted on existing GT1 engines.

Does anyone know if the Cup Car engines share the same epoxy water line fittings. Probably not such a big deal with 80 hour run cycles before the mandatory motor swap but I'm just trying to see if Porsche has addressed the issue.

[lightweight]

Does anyone know if they have fixed the coolant line epoxy issues on this 4.0 motor?

Greetings all. New guy here. Learning (slowly) about GT cars. Thanks for your efforts in setting up and building out the site as a community and resource.

This car (engine) looks epic. In addition to Xeattle's question, I'm interested in whether or not the "ice pedal" issue has been diagnosed and/or addressed. Are any site members able to confirm the solution or refute the issue with facts?

Prior to this post I researched the Web and cannot seem to find statistics on occurrence or credible consensus on causality. However, there appears to be attention-worthy anecdotal evidence, and everyone agrees that missing turns and hitting walls is sub-optimal.

With regards to the GT3RS 4.0 Mr. Preuninger is on record stating the following: a) "It's as close to the race car a street-legal car can possibly get." - Official Porsche launch video. b) "God-like engine.", c) "We know our customer use these cars very hard so we have to really look for the most, best, performance and the best reliability of these engines." - Evo interview.

Based on these statements it would seem reasonable to consider the above-mentioned issues attended to. However, these are assumptions I would prefer to retire prior to purchase, or factor into costs as "preparation & safety" expenditure.

Regarding the infamous "ice pedal" please don't respond with "deal with it" or "drive around it" as per other forums. No offense meant to anyone here. It exists or it doesn't. Absent abnormal and extenuating circumstances, well maintained brakes should work. Period. (Unless, of course, one is willing to drink from the fountain of $50K to keep pumping your brakes Kool-Aid.)

Again, no intention of being inflammatory. I have a deposit down on one of these as my first GT and want to know what I'm getting into. Thanks again for the site.

[Trackrat]

Greetings all. New guy here. Learning (slowly) about GT cars. Thanks for your efforts in setting up and building out the site as a community and resource.

This car (engine) looks epic. In addition to Xeattle's question, I'm interested in whether or not the "ice pedal" issue has been diagnosed and/or addressed. Are any site members able to confirm the solution or refute the issue with facts?

Prior to this post I researched the Web and cannot seem to find statistics on occurrence or credible consensus on causality. However, there appears to be attention-worthy anecdotal evidence, and everyone agrees that missing turns and hitting walls is sub-optimal.

With regards to the GT3RS 4.0 Mr. Preuninger is on record stating the following: a) "It's as close to the race car a street-legal car can possibly get." - Official Porsche launch video. b) "God-like engine.", c) "We know our customer use these cars very hard so we have to really look for the most, best, performance and the best reliability of these engines." - Evo interview.

Based on these statements it would seem reasonable to consider the above-mentioned issues attended to. However, these are assumptions I would prefer to retire prior to purchase, or factor into costs as "preparation & safety" expenditure.

Regarding the infamous "ice pedal" please don't respond with "deal with it" or "drive around it" as per other forums. No offense meant to anyone here. It exists or it doesn't. Absent abnormal and extenuating circumstances, well maintained brakes should work. Period. (Unless, of course, one is willing to drink from the fountain of $50K to keep pumping your brakes Kool-Aid.)

Again, no intention of being inflammatory. I have a deposit down on one of these as my first GT and want to know what I'm getting into. Thanks again for the site.

Lightweight- welcome to the site!

I want to say something immediately: In 65 track days over the past 2 years in a GT3RS, GT2RS and Boxster Spyder (all PCCB, some days with P50, some P40 pads) I have never experienced the so-called ice pedal. My track times in these cars place me solidly in the red/open run groups of the tracks I run in so the brakes receive their fair share of use. My cars run OE tire and wheel sizing.

With that said- I personally know a person who is very fast and very smart and runs massively oversized slicks (Hoosiers) and he has experienced "the pedal". So my personal opinion on this matter at this point in time is that if you choose to alter tire sizing from what is specified as OE in the owners manual then you bear the responsibility for whatever bad traits that may trigger in the various ECU's of the car.

As can be well known from reading Trackrat/Savyboy posts littered all over the electronic landscape over the years it should be crystal clear that while I love me some track time in my Porsche, I am mighty quick to point out what I perceive as a design/manufacturing shortcomings so no one can ever accuse me of being a brand apologist. While fully open minded to more facts being aired, currently "ice pedal" is the very least of my worries.

If you have the opportunity to purchase a 4.0 I respectfully suggest you jump on the chance as fast as humanly possible.

[TRAKCAR]

Congrats on the 4.o. Please get, pleeaase!


However, there appears to be attention-worthy anecdotal evidence, and everyone agrees that missing turns and hitting walls is sub-optimal

Hihi, yes, hitting walls is sub-optimal :pals:

What Trackrat said is right..

I can not say that it is exclusively on PCCB cars, but all the ones I personally know that had it had PCCB. If anybody had it himself, I would love to hear from them.

I run about 30 track days a year, usually laptimes similar to the faster drivers on the track. Some of the faster guys are the guys doing the same amount of tracks days as me.
None of us had the ICE pedal. Ever. A total of what, 600 track days?

I have run myself about 60 track days in a GT3 now, sometimes on Hoosiers, mostly on Toyo RA1.

Only my limited observation; PCCB, non OEM pads and (maybe) not OEM size Hoosiers or slicks.

On the other hand there is at least one drivers who claim to be able to duplicate it at will on certain tracks in certain corners doing a certain action. He runs PCCB.

To me it is certainly no reason not to buy any RS, let alone the 4.0

[FTS]

Lightweight, welcome.

I'll add my personal opinions. I doubt that they did anything different to the coolant line connectors or the lines themselves, but I do not think anyone knows, save for Stuttgart engineers. In their view the issue is too infrequent statistically to "solve" it. And I do not think anyone has statistics to prove them wrong at this time.

As for the ice pedal: reading all the posts closely on this matter across the electronic world and talking with few race car engineers, I am convinced that there isn't a design issue with the ABS system. That is not to say that the ice mode does not exist, it does and we keep hearing reports relatively frequently. Just like any system, Porsche street ABS is designed to work within certain parameters, and we don't know what those parameters are. That is the reason, we are trying to collect data slightly differently per our thread in Problem Reports (http://www.gt2gt3cup.org/showthread.php?t=117). I hope we'll have enough data some time in the future to either influence Porsche to look at the issue more closely or ourselves in using the system differently.

As others alluded, I am convinced the issue occurs with the way one uses the brake pedal in conjunction with tire, brake disk, pad choices. But I am speculating as well.

In short, do not expect those problems to be addressed with the RS 40, but I doubt anyone's decision here would be impacted negatively from it ;)

[lightweight]

Trackrat, TRACKCAR, FTS, thanks for the warm welcome and your super-fast responses (given the question, all the more valuable from guys who track their cars).

Regarding "ice pedal" my takeaway is that there is little reason to be concerned should one stick to OEM spec wheels, tires and brake pads.

It would be intriguing to find out from Porsche whether or not the coolant issues have been addressed. I'm going to put the question to the dealer and will post the response should there be one.

Thanks again! :-8

p.s. Great encouragement to take the plunge on the 4.0 BTW! Once the dealer is 100% on the allocation, still to decide on White vs. PTS (if available), and steels vs. PCCB.

[FTS]

Our pleasure. Yes, keep us posted please.

[lightweight]

Not sure if it has been posted already. The 4.0 is now available on the US car configurator. Cheers.

[TRAKCAR]

Thanks, i had played with it on the german website, but now I can dream in USD..

[Trackrat]

Rumor mill: 123 cars allocated for the USA. Some dealers that received GT2RS allocation(s) won't get 4.0.

It is going to be a collectors car.

[FTS]

Hmmm, much less than my guess of 220, yes, it will be sought after for sure.

[lightweight]

It is going to be a collectors car.

One wonders how that would be affected by a a next generation 500hp GT3.

[FTS]

You know when the next gen hits us, we are going to be discussion MkII of that one... It never ends. If anyone is buying these cars to actually make money off them in the next 5-7 years, they'll keep dreaming. They may be collector cars, but for the long term. Lets enjoy what Porsche is offering to us now :)