The Porsche 911 GT3 RS set another benchmark for road-approved sports cars at the Nurburgring-Nordschleife circuit in Germany: Porsche Works race driver Kevin Estre set a lap time in 6:56.4 minutes in the GT3 RS which was 24 seconds faster than the best time achieved with the previous GT3 RS model. Following the 918 Spyder and the 911 GT2 RS, the new GT3 RS is the third production Porsche sports car with a notarised lap time of less than seven minutes on the world's most demanding race track. As is customary for record drives, the time was measured around the 20.6 km lap.
Frank Steffen Walliser, Vice President Motorsport and GT Cars, said, "No other Porsche model gets as close to racing as the new GT3 RS. Many innovative ideas from top-level motorsport were transferred; for example, from the 911 GT3 R. This is what our philosophy for GT models is about: Highest technology must be fascinating but tangible. In this regard there is no harder test for our ideas than the Nordschleife."
The conditions during the setting of the lap time were ideal, with 14 degree Celsius ambient and 18 degree Celsius track temperature. At the Nurburgring the 911 GT3 RS was equipped with the latest generation of Michelin Pilot Sport tyres. Optimised especially for track day use, the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R is fully compliant with relevant EU and US law. The tyre (265/35 ZR 20 front and 325/30 ZR 21 rear) can soon be ordered at every Porsche Centre and selected dealers or tyre fitters. Its approved fitments include 911 GT3 RS and 911 GT2 RS.
The 911 GT3 RS with motorsport-bred chassis and the 4-litre, naturally aspirated engine made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March this year. Thanks to the 514 bhp, the high-performance sports car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 312 kmph.
