New Porsche 911 GT3 RS Feels Like A Proper Race Car, Says Chris Harris

The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS is unlike any other before it, pushing its track-focused nature to new extremes in the relentless pursuit of performance. However, in essentially transforming the GT3 RS into a road-going GT3 race car, has Porsche made it a little less enjoyable to drive?

Powering the new 911 GT3 RS is the same basic 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six of the standard GT3, albeit it has been upgraded with hotter cams and benefits from some other tweaks. It pumps out 518 hp and working alongside a seven-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission, can send the car to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.0 seconds and a 184 mph (296 km/h) top speed.

A jump of 16 hp won’t do all that much to improve the overall performance of the car. Where it makes its biggest leaps over the standard GT3 is in terms of aero and Harris was able to put the new GT3 RS to the test at Silverstone’s F1 circuit.

Read More: The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Is 518-HP Motorsport Car You Can Drive Down Main Street

The most obvious aerodynamic change made to the car is the fitment of a huge two-deck rear wing that can be adjusted and includes a drag reduction system. There are some more subtle aero upgrades going on under the skin, however. For example, Porsche has repositioned the front radiators from near the headlights to the hood, meaning air can travel through the front bumper and exit out from both the louvers on the front quarter panels and the large void behind the front wheels.

As soon as Harris heads out onto the circuit in the car, he notices the extra downforce, giving the car vastly improved stability through corners and under heavy braking. He says it feels like a legitimate racing car and is the most downforce-focused street car he has driven other than a McLaren Senna.