2008 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 3.6

Porsche unveiled the second generation of the GT3 in February of 2006 and in keeping with company tradition, its 3.6 liter flat-six engine punched well above its weight class, capable of outperforming cars with much larger engines. Since the introduction of the original 901 in 1963, Porsche has produced a line of six-cylinder rear-engine sports cars infused with performance, capable of competing with much more powerful cars thanks to their superior handling and low weight. The 911 continued this pedigree, birthing a breed of iconic marchings that married performance and handing, with rivaled driving experience. The 911 has continuously evolved into a more sophisticated, powerful, and capable driving machine, as well as a reliable and usable car.

The 996 GT3 was introduced by Porsche in 1999 to homologate the 911 in the FIA GT3 sports car racing class. It was essentially a 'Carrera Cup' car for the road with a few creature comforts added back in, and a spiritual descendant of the iconic 911 Carrera RS. On the track, the GT3 enjoyed considerable success with class wins at LeMans, Daytona, and Sebring.

The Carrera RS (rennsport or 'racing sport') family began with the 2.7 variant that laid the foundation for track readiness, power, prowess, and precision. Styling characteristics included a distinctive rear wing, aerodynamic enhancements, and large side sill graphic blended with a potent engine and a minimalistic interior. Throughout the succeeding generations of 911s, the 'RS' badge remained reserved for only the most hardcore, purpose-built road cars in Porsche's portfolio.

The 997.1 GT3 RS of 2006 continued to wear the large rear wing, large intakes, graphics, and a wide track. The naturally aspirated 6-cylinder engine motivates the GT3 RS to 60 in about 4 seconds, while the stiff springs, solid mounts, and many manually adjustable settings allow it to easily handle any twist or turns it may encounter. It received front and rear adjustable control arms in addition to progressive—rather than linear—springs, while the dampers were 10 to 15 percent stiffer than the units fitted to the GT3. Through these manual adjustments and playful 6-speed mechanical gearbox, the GT3 RS forms a formidable track weapon but is equally suited for daily driving duties.

The 3.6-liter horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine produces 415 HP, translating to 1.88 HP per cubic inch in naturally aspirated form. Under the guidance of Andreas Preuninger, Porsche's Chief Development Engineer, the entire setup on the GT3 was reconfigured with larger brakes, sculpted body pieces to add aerodynamic downforce, recalibrated suspension, and lowered ride height. Distinguishable features included the wide rear fender body which it shared with the Carrera 4, allowing it to accommodate the wider wheels and tires. Weight-saving features included an adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing, plastic engine cover, and a thin-gauge glass rear window.

Zero-to-sixty mph was accomplished in 4.3 seconds and had a factory-rated top speed of 193 mph.

Porsche built 452 examples of the 997 GT3 RS 3.6 for the North American market from 2007 to 2008. A total of 917 examples of the 997.1 GT3 (including the 3.6L, 3.8L, and 4.0L) were sold in the United States and 46 in Canada.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2022