This Special Edition 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Pays Tribute To The Iconic Carrera RS 2.7

2022-08-21 23:20:03 By : Mr. Tengyue Tao

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Porsche's most recent and extreme sportscar pays tribute to one of its iconic predecessors built without excuses or compromise.

Porsche unveiled the 2023 911 GT3 RS based on the current 992 generation sportscar. However, what you see is no regular 911 GT3 RS - it's a customized version that pays tribute to the 1972 911 Carrera RS 2.7. It was also announced that the model has inspired the sports car-maker to come up with a limited-production car available exclusively to customers in the United States, which will be a tribute to the original, calling it the Carrera RS Package.

The 911 has been immensely popular in America, and this isn't the first special tribute exclusive for the market. It is yet another great way to be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 911 Carrera RS 2.7. The original 2.7 RS was a poster car for many young gear heads in the 1970s, and Porsche wants to bring back some of that emotion by selling the new model with exclusive options, taking the price up a little more than the regular 911. It's going to be fun to see how overwhelmed customers will be with their hardcore 2.7 RS-inspired cars, sporting the livery of the original. Porsche says that the project is in its early stages, but is definitely in the pipeline.

The 2.7 RS was to Porsche enthusiasts what the M3 was to BMW fans - and we couldn't be happier seeing Porsche bring alive a large part of their heritage in the modern age where EVs have a long way to go and earn their stripes in order to be deemed iconic.

Related: Here's What Makes The 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0 So Special

For the Monterey Car Week, the 911 GT3 RS on display looked stunning - and at the risk of being reported as spam - we think it looks far better than the original. Most of the bodywork is done in white, while the signature areas are highlighted in Python Green - an instant throwback to the iconic white-and-green configuration seen on the 1972 911 RS. The side intakes have been painted Python Green to match the graphics along the sides, and at the rear. Even the gorgeous forged aluminum wheels get the Python Green finish along with white pinstripes.

The 992-generation 911's rear tail light design looks fantastic on the GT3 RS, and the green-on-white theme somehow seems to fit so perfectly with the entire car. The massive rear wing's side plates on either side, are painted in white with RS logos in Python Green.

Porsche has always let its customers personalize their cars to their taste, and it's important it still looks like a Porsche, no matter what. It all started with the 356, wherein a customer requested for a wiper to be added to the rear window of his car. Today's 911s and the rest of the range go way beyond a simple wiper inclusion.

The detailed headlights too, feature a pinstripe ring in white - and this is unique to this particular car, because it isn't available on the list of factory-fitted options. The exterior theme matches the interior, so the car gets matching stitching and trim panels in white. Andreas Preuninger, Director of GT Model Lines, said "As a car enthusiast growing up, my walls were plastered with models that I was particularly fond of. One of the most influential was the 911 Carrera RS 2.7. As a young kid it captured my imagination and, even today, it puts a smile on my face".

We're sure it does, Andreas - in fact, a lot of us from the modern age, have the new 911 GT3 RS as lock-screen wallpapers on our smartphones, so we know that feeling. The RS 2.7 was extreme back then, in the same way the new 911 GT3 RS is, today.

The 911 Carrera RS 2.7 was renowned for being the fastest sports car in the 1970s. It started life as a homologation special, and came with what was the latest technology back then. It was not only the most powerful 911 back then, but also the most expensive. Its air-cooled flat-six produced 207hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. The 992 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has indeed come a long way. The ducktail spoiler was important, because Porsche had to ensure the car was stable at such high speeds.

Related: Why Porsche Built The 911 Sally Special As A Working Tribute To Pixar Cars

You're looking at the most extreme, road-legal production 911 so far, until the new GT2 RS comes along later. The GT3 RS packs a 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated boxer, 6-cylinder engine that pushes out 518hp, while it revs all the way to 9,000rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels as always, through a 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox.

For the first time ever, the GT3 RS features active aerodynamics, which is of great help when it comes to downforce and deceleration assistance. It's unfortunate however, that the 911 GT3 RS is only being used to showcase the idea of what will eventually be a limited-production model. Let's hope they consider the new GT3 RS as that model.

Rehan got published for the first time at the age of 17, having written a feature on a Triumph Herald in print. He uses his writing as a tool to express his fondness for all things automotive even today, aged 28. Collecting scale models is a hobby close to his heart, and he wishes to sprinkle pixie dust on them only to see them grow into full-sized cars. He now represents HotCars.com.