2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Laps The Nurburgring With Blistering Sub-7 Minute Time
Porsche driver Kévin Estre was able to set a lap time of 6:56.4 minutes around the Green Hell, which was 24 seconds faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS. Let that sink in for a minute... the new model only has 20 more horsepower than its predecessor, but still managed to obliterate its time by over 20 seconds. We'd call that significant progress.
The vast improvement in lap times can mainly be attributed to some pretty beefy chassis upgrades and suspension modifications including stiffer springs and the fact that the front and rear subframes are now mounted solidly to the unibody. Throw in the Weissach Package with its optional magnesium wheels, and the latest 911 GT3 RS is a real track gem.
The rear-wheel drive track monster is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that produces a staggering 520hp and 346 lb-ft of torque. Porsche says that it can bolt from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and will top out at 193 mph. The magnificent engine will rev to a staggering 9,000 RPM, but you can't row your own gears -- the 7-speed Porsche- Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual-clutch transmission is your sole choice.
“All four lap times of both drivers were below seven minutes and only tenths of a second apart. This proves not only the outstanding power of the GT3 RS, but also its extraordinary drivability at the limit," said Andreas Preuninger, Porsche Director for the GT Model Line. "A perfectly composed overall system allows for highly dynamic performance even with a relatively modest engine power. For a driver, each of the car’s thousands of parts have to feel like one – that’s an unbeatable strength of the GT3 RS.”
We should mention that while the 2019 Porsche 911 GT3 RS no doubt put up an impressive time, it is by no means the fastest time for a production road car. That honor is bestowed upon its sibling -- the Porsche 911 GT2 RS -- which holds the record at 6:47.3 minutes. However, that vehicle has the advantage of twin turbos and 700hp. Sitting in second place is the Lamborghini Huracán LP 640-4 Performante (640hp from a naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10) with a time of 6:52.01 minutes, putting the latest 911 GT3 RS in third place.
