Porsche 911 GT3 RS & 911 Sport Classic

By far one of the hottest looking cars at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, was the latest iteration of Porsche’s awesome 911 GT3 RS.

Despite the number of high-end exotics in Hall 5, it was Porsche’s finest speed machine, which commanded all the attention from the ‘real’ enthusiasts.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re a die-hard Ferrari fan or a lover of Aston Martin’s fine sports cars, but if you are any kind of automotive aficionado, you have to respect Porsche and how they have evolved their immortal 911 model.

The GT3 RS represents the pinnacle of that evolution, part race car, part road car, and a car which other super cars usually keep their distance from, especially at the Nurburgring.

At this year’s 24 Hours of Nurburgring, one the toughest endurance races in the world, Porsche GT3’s took out 7 of the top ten places.

The road going version is just as impressive, with its stunning gloss-grey paint job and fire engine red highlights.

Any doubts about the GT3 RS’s on track potential, should be summarily dismissed, the moment you feast your eyes on the massive carbon fibre rear wing. Downforce should be no problem at 310km/h down the main straight at ‘The Ring’.

It’s not exactly slow off the line either, 0-100km/h is dispatched in just 4.0 seconds. Moreover 0-160km/h arrives in a devastatingly quick 8.1 seconds.

The new GT3 RS is all business, with its motorsport-derived 3.8 litre, six-cylinder boxer engine, developing a thoroughly potent 331 kW (450 hp) and 430 Nm of torque at 6,750 (rpm). Bear in mind, this engine doesn’t mind revving out to an ear-splitting 8,500 (rpm), and it will do that all day long, if required.

And don’t bother asking for the 7-speed PDK transmission on either the GT3 or GT3 RS, they’re not even an option against the six-speed manual box, with a short throw shifter.

Yes, you can drive it to work, but more importantly, you can also adjust the ride-height, camber, toe-angle and anti-roll bar settings on the GT3 RS, for different racetracks and conditions.

You’ll also notice outstanding 19-inch gloss-red wheels with a race like centre locking nut system, shod with super wide 325/30 ZR sport tyres down the back and 245/35’s up front.

Weight, or lack of it, has always been a hallmark of the 911 cars, but the GT3 RS takes this to new levels with a titanium exhaust system and an optional lithium-ion battery, which saves almost 10 kilograms.

Inside, it’s the same story. Bright red FIA approved roll cage, lightweight seats, and pull handles to replace door handles, denotes the real intentions of the GT3 RS.

Next door, was another very special Porsche, even more exclusive than the 911 GT3 RS or GT3 Cup.

One glimpse of the limited edition 911 Sport Classic, with its retro like duck tail derived from the legendary 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, and I’m trying to work out how I could ever come up with enough cash to buy two 911’s.

Porsche only ever intended to build 500 examples of these ‘hot’ Carrera’s, but the price was kept relatively low, so that all were certain to be sold for homologation purposes. The car ended up a huge hit and Porsche went on to build over 1600 examples of the ‘ducktail’.

That most certainly won’t be the case with the 911 Sport Classic. Just 250 collectors will ever get the opportunity to own one of these rare Porsche editions, which aren’t even listed in the latest model range catalogue.

For starers, there is no paint book to choose from, no need, Sport Classic Grey is the model’s signature colour.

But the 911 Sport Classic is a lot more than just a paint job, with plenty of tweaking by Stuttgart’s Porsche Exclusive customising department.

The front splitter has been revised and there’s a double-dome roof, which is newly developed, while the car is lowered by 20 millimetres. The Sport Classic is clearly based on the rear-wheel drive Carrera S, with its wider rear body and an up-rated version of Porsche’s 3.8-litre with producing 308 kilowatts.

Stopping power gets a significant boost too, with Porsche Ceramic Composite brakes, and classic look 19-inch Fuchs-style wheels.

Inside the 911 Sport Classic is just as exclusive with woven leather and yarn on the seat inserts, while the dashboard and console are finished in Espresso Nature natural leather, in contrast to the body paint.

Exclusivity is never cheap, and the 911 Sport Classic will command the premium price of 169,000 Euros or $240,702 USD.