After the speculations and image leak, Porsche has finally revealed the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Limited Edition.
As you already guessed the obvious, the new 911 GT3 RS 4.0 features a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six. The architecture from the new 4.0-liter was taken from the GT3 RSR racecar incorporating titanium connecting rods, forged pistons and virtually the same crankshaft found in the RSR. The new 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will be Porsche’s most powerful naturally aspirated street 911 with 500 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 5,750 rpm.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 has a light-weight body, at 2,998 pounds, resulting from several carbon fiber bits down to weight-optimized carpets lining the luggage compartment. This will allow the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 to hit 60mph in 3.8 seconds (more than likely another conservative figure from Porsche) and top out at 193 mph.
To keep things proper, a 6-speed manual transmission will be the only choice to direct power to the rear wheels. And that is the way it should be; Thanks Porsche!
To complete things, the Limited Edition 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will come standard in the white paint color as seen in the official images with new innovative air deflection vanes on both sides of the front bumper for added stability and an additional (up to) 426 pounds of downforce.
Only 600 fine examples of the all-new 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 will be produced this year for a price of $185,000. That price will get you a vehicle that can lap the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 27 seconds which places it as one of the fastest for a production vehicle.
Full 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 Press Release
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0: Biggest 911 Engine Ever Offered
Limited-edition car is packed with motorsport technology
ATLANTA – April 28, 2011 — 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 Nürburgring-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.
[source: Porsche]