2010 Porsche 911 GT3RS Has Huge Stickers!

At some time, I'd say every automotive journalist reaches the point where they're sick of writing about 911's. I mean, Porsche releases 12 new variations of the 911 each year, sometimes seemingly just for the fun of it, and we're supposed to treat it like it's news.  It's not news.  The 911's had the engine in the wrong place since it was born in 1964, and the engineers at Stuttgart are too stubborn to put it in the right place.

Still, even if a new variation of the 911 isn't quite as exciting as say, an actually new car coming out, it's still a 911.  So it still deserves some love.  The latest variation (I think it's number 13,468?) is an updated version of the 911 GT3 RS.  The GT3 occupies the "hardcore track tool" spot in the 911 lineup, and as you'd expect the GT3 RS occupies the "slightly more hardcore track tool" slot.

So rather than making fun of Porsche being unwilling to change the fundamentally flawed roots of their evergreen sportscar, let's focus on what they've changed.  For one thing, there's more power.  The GT3RS receives the larger 3.8L horizontally opposed waterboxer that the GT3 got a few months ago, as opposed to the old 3.6L unit.  Power in the GT3RS is up 15bhp from the regular GT3 (450 vs. 435) and the redline is a healthy 8,500 rpm.

They've done a few other things to make the RS faster than the "normal" GT3, if such a thing exists.  The gear ratios have been shortened for greater acceleration (and a correspondingly lower top speed).  The RS also receives the GT3's trick variable-density engine mounts, which I've talked about in length in the past- seriously cool stuff.

Other options include a lightweight lithium-ion battery, which is 22lbs lighter than the standard unit, and there's also a full Titanium exhaust system available.  I'm no accounting whiz, but I'd have to imagine that Porsche's optional titanium exhaust is pretty expensive.

The fenders have been flared out to accommodate a wider track in the front and rear, and  on that Porsche mounts some pretty massive 19" wheels and tires.  Front wheels are 9" wide, holding 245/35/ZR19 rubbers, and a gigantic 12" wide in the rear, with acre-lot sized 325/30/ZR19 tires.

Otherwise, it's standard GT3 RS fare - painted scaffolding where the back seats used to be, extremely bright tacky-looking stickers that proclaim "GT3RS" (In case you forget?), color-matched wheels (seriously, Porsche?), and a big ol' carbon fiber rear wing.  Deserving a special mention is the dork-tastic red front grille, which looks more at place on a primered-up 1995 Civic hatchback.  I guess money doesn't buy you taste.

Speaking of money, if you want a GT3 RS, bring a lot. Pricing in the US starts at a "wouldn't you rather have a loaded R8?" $132,800, and will be available in Spring of 2010.