Porsche 911 GT3 RS reportedly laps the 'Ring in 7:33
2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS - click above image for hi-res gallery
Another day, another Nurburgring time report! These posts are fun for a wide variety of reasons, not the last of which is the outpouring of love and understanding showered upon me whenever I link to my pal Jack's fascinating article on what 'Ring records really mean (hint: not much). Still, what is good about Nordschleife times (and the reason why we report on them) is that it gives you a good general idea of how a car performs under the most adverse and challenging conditions possible (barring weather). Green Hell, it's said, is a bitch.
And the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (you know – the funny looking one with the pink lipstick) just lapped it in seven minutes and thirty-three seconds. Very impressive. That's almost a full minutes faster than a Chevy Cobalt SS. Er, it's almost nearly as fast as Godzilla, which can get around the Nurburgring's north track in 7:27. What's most impressive about the GT3 RS's time is the absence of forced induction and AWD. Remember, there's a 3.8-liter flat-six out back producing 450 horsepower and the car weighs very little – especially when compared to the porcine GT-R.
No word on if the record was set with PASM on or off, though we imagine off. Also, and this is going to be of special note to you Porsche fanboys, when the nameless Porsche test engineer ran the 7:33, he did it in light traffic. Meaning that Porsche feels the theoretical best for the GT3 RS is right around 7:30, whatever that means.
Gallery: 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
[Source: EVO]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
mk15 9:24AM (10/28/2009)
Is the RS an actual production car or a one off? Saw a non-RS GT3 the other day, the guy was having problems with the clutch, but before it blew, the engine note was very nice.
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james 9:47AM (10/28/2009)
It's an actual production model, albeit with limited numbers. Not a big fan of the new livery, gimme a Viper Green one anyday!
Braden 10:53AM (10/28/2009)
Actual production. I have driven the previous version (2007 or 08 I believe) at Nelson Ledges. My first time in a rear-engine RWD car on a track...
I got it around 3-4 times and was steadily increasing speed, got up to nearly 130 going through "the kink" and like a moron, I lifted throttle (completely forgot about weight transfer and downforce and the car I was in).
720 degrees of spin later I was in the grass, thankfully zero damage to the car other than flatspotting the tires. I just about crapped my pants until I realized I wasn't going to hit anything.
I had PASM *on*. I was in sport mode for the sharper throttle response, but I did not turn off traction control, and it still allowed my dumb arse to spin. This gives you an idea of how NON-interventionist the PASM is on a track whore Porsche.
Wasn't my car, leased by one of the CEOs of our company, and we were at a private rental day @ Nelson. Thankfully I still have my job and he wouldn't even let me pay for new tires (which is good because they are expensive, and he's worth probably 50 times what I am).
For the 5-10 minutes I was in that car, it was ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. The engine note is sex, the seats are uber supportive, and the gearbox is sublime. Alcantara on the shift knob (and wheel) is a great touch. The throws are short, very notchy and incredibly positive and confidence inspiring. Pedal layout is pretty good too, although it's the same as any other 997 (I've had a bit more non-track experience in a 997 Targa4S so I could already heel-toe the car when I got in it).
zamafir 11:27AM (10/28/2009)
@Braden - thank you, what a rare and utterly enjoyable comment.
audi_arena 12:13PM (10/28/2009)
@ Braden:
Crazy story! Can't believe you had PSM on and still spun like crazy!
mk15 12:47PM (10/28/2009)
@braden
Glad you made it out all right! Thanks for sharing.
fmwso 2:07PM (10/28/2009)
@ Braden: Glad you're allright! Thanks for your comment, it must have been fun to drive one of these around the track.
Alex 9:31AM (10/28/2009)
nice lipstick
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Cocoa Deluxe 9:34AM (10/28/2009)
it doesn't make any sense that that would lap the 'ring slower than a stock gtr.
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Stevo 10:02AM (10/28/2009)
OH LET'S START THIS
switch 12:25PM (10/28/2009)
The gt3 rs is "stock" as well. But you are apparently to ignorant to have a good debate with so I'm just going to say you should spend more time reading before you comment :D
Cocoa Deluxe 10:57AM (10/28/2009)
The gt3 rs is "stock" as well. But you are apparently to ignorant to have a good debate with so I'm just going to say you should spend more time reading before you comment :D
uh...why don't you read my comment before you comment? i realize the gt3 rs is stock. i just don't believe that such a track specific car would lose to a portly, stock nissan gtr.
zamafir 11:30AM (10/28/2009)
@Cocoa Deluxe - The GT-R is a game changer, never has something so heavy and large, with so 'little' power managed to do what that car has. It's a technological marvel. The GT3 RS is the complete opposite, the antithesis to a heavy, computer assisted monster. Just as any DSG car will outperform a manual of the same model, so too will something this advanced manage to keep making all the conventional cars sweat.
audi_arena 12:17PM (10/28/2009)
@ Cocoa D;
I don't think anyone who has any real experience in motorsport really believes that the GTR actually laps the nurburgring as fast as Nissan claims it does.
Thats not to take away from how impressive the car is.
Brex 10:31AM (10/28/2009)
"That's almost a full minutes faster than a Chevy Cobalt SS." Whu?
So what was the Cobalt's time?
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montoym 12:09PM (10/28/2009)
8:22.85
It held the FWD record until the Renault Megane RS R26.R came in with a 8:16.90 using slicks(according to Wikipedia).
Prior to the Cobalt SS, the record was held (for about 2.5yrs) by the Opel Astra OPC which is very similar to the Cobalt SS though the Cobalt has more power and a better designed suspension. The Opel had a time of 8:35, showing how much quicker the Cobalt really is.
HeyHuub 1:10PM (10/28/2009)
The Megane was not run on slicks, but on r-rated tyres.
ntcougar7 10:37AM (10/28/2009)
hell yeah i love Nürburgringtimes because its the meaning of life.
*sniffs glue*
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zamafir 11:32AM (10/28/2009)
Drive a lap and get back to us, maybe then you'll understand why it's amore relevant benchmark than 0-60 and top speed. Hell go drive it anywho, every car buff should have experienced it at least once in their life.
Carlos 10:56AM (10/28/2009)
Does anyone else hate the lip stick?
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