2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing

The new Porsche GT3 RS is the German brand’s greatest iteration of naturally-aspirated performance. Sure, it’s not the twin-turbo straight-line demon that the GT2 RS is, but it is the car you’ll prefer to drive on track. Offering innovative driver-focused features, this is Porsche’s most advanced GT3 ever. With many firsts for a production vehicle, this GT3 RS promises to have no equal in terms of its capability. While many brands may advertise that they sell race cars for the road, this new GT3 RS is the embodiment of that very facet. You may call the new GT3 RS a Porsche race car hiding in plain sight. With more downforce than a McLaren Senna, don’t underestimate the new GT3 RS. While using the most advanced technology available, this Porsche has not lost its visceral touch. If anything, this is the GT3 that connects the driver to the road in ways that weren’t possible before.

Porsche set out to make the new GT3 RS the ultimate Porsche road car for track excellence. Every detail in its design is to push the capabilities of its performance. This new 992 generation takes technology straight from the 911 GT3 R race car. Race cars always see limitations to conform to the rules and regulations for motorsport. Yet, the GT3 RS is a road car, so it takes advantage of all the technology without any of the restrictions.

The GT3 RS maintains the 911’s simple and clean design language with added controls to handle the additional performance equipment on the inside. At a cool $223,800 base sticker, we consider a street-legal race car a win-win.

UPDATE: 2024/03/04 at 15:30

This comprehensive buyer’s guide on the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has been brought up to our current standards by the inclusion of more in-depth information on this track-focused model. Data on everything from dimensions, and specifications as well as gas mileage has now been included. Also, we have drawn comparisons to other track-bred models like the Chevy Corvette ZO6 and Lamborghini Huracan STO.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources,
including Fueleconomy.gov, NHTSA, and IIHS. Each model score is determined by Top Speed’s rating team
, which factors in five different metrics. You can
read our Methodology page
for more information about our rating system.

What’s New For 2023?

At the forefront of the 2023 911 GT3 RS’ ground-breaking capability is its aerodynamics. To make the body as streamlined as possible, Porsche understood that less is more. Previous GT3 models all had a three-radiator layout to provide cooling. Now, the 992 GT3 RS features a single central radiator located in the “frunk” area. This allowed for freed-up space to integrate active aerodynamics across the car, which work together to generate a whopping 900 pounds of downforce at 124 MPH. That is twice that of the previous 991.2 GT3 RS and three times the amount of the current 992 GT3. The $1.43 million McLaren Senna was the pinnacle of aerodynamic performance at release. The new GT3 RS makes more downforce than that.

How does the new GT3 RS achieve this insane standard? For the first time ever on a production Porsche, you get DRS (drag reduction system). Like on a Formula One car, DRS flattens the rear wing to reduce drag. Then, during hard braking at high speeds, the wing acts as an airbrake. Porsche aficionados will also notice that the rear wing sits higher than the roof line. This is another first for a production Porsche. Most of the body features CFRP panels to save weight. The suspension components were redesigned with teardrop profiles to help aid with aerodynamics.

2023 Highlights

• Drag Reduction System (DRS)
• Le Mans-inspired central, frunk-located, radiator
• Adjustable rebound and compression damping of front and rear axles via steering wheel-mounted controls
• Adjustable rear differential via steering wheel-mounted controls
• Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
• Two-part rear wing

Exterior Dimensions

(Source: Porsche)

Engine Specifications And Performance

Only one engine is available on the GT3 RS. The new 2023 992 911 GT3 RS offers 518 horsepower from its high-revving 4.0-liter naturally-aspirated flat-six. With a lofty 9,000 RPM redline, peak horsepower is reached at 8,500 RPM, and peak torque is reached at 6,300 RPM. Compared to the 991.1 GT3 RS, this new 992 model produces 28 horsepower more with updated camshafts and cam profiles and 16 more horsepower than the 992 GT3. A single-throttle intake system and rigid valvetrain are motorsport-inspired, and the engine has six individual throttle bodies.

Power is delivered to the rear wheels via a 7-speed PDK transmission with unique gear ratios specific to the GT3 RS. There is no manual option available. Suspension and aerodynamics play an integral role in the GT3 RS’ performance. A central radiator works with continuously adjustable wing elements in the front and on the two-part rear wing for significantly increased downforce. A drag reduction system (DRS) is fitted to a Porsche for the first time. It allows the rear wings to flatten to lower drag at higher speeds. Other aerodynamic elements are integrated throughout the GT3 RS’ construction.

Performance Specifications

(Source: Porsche)

The rear-wheel drive configured 911 GT3 RS goes from 0-to-60 in 3.0 seconds and can reach a quarter mile in around 10 seconds. The GT3 RS is rated at a top speed of 184 MPH. It uses a Le Mans-inspired central radiator located in the car’s nose to free up space for active aerodynamic elements integrated into the front and rear.

A drag reduction system is integrated into the rear wing that also functions as an airbrake. A front splitter, rear diffuser, wheel vents, hood nostrils, fins on the roof, and other aerodynamic engineering are in place around the car to further support cooling and downforce. According to Porsche, at 124 MPH these elements provide over 900 pounds of downforce on the 911 GT3 RS. At 177 MPH, total downforce measures in at 1,895 pounds (the most of any production car ever).

The suspension setup is another key element of the 911 GT3 RS. The car is wider and lower than the standard model, and certain elements within the suspension’s construction have been modified to handle the increased airflow and downforce at high speeds.

Speed and Performance Records

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has snagged multiple records on some of the most significant tracks in the world. Last year, the 2023 GT3 RS set a new production car track record at Road America. Driven by Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America veteran Dimitri Dimakos, he completed the four-mile lap around the Wisconsin-based track in two minutes and 13.8 seconds. The prior record-holder at Road America was a 2019 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which completed the lap in two minutes, and 15.1 seconds.

Most notably, the 2023 911 GT3 RS holds the record for fastest lap time for a naturally aspirated production car at Nürburgring in Germany. Porsche announced the GT3 RS completed the traditionally measured 12.8-mile lap around the track in 6:44.484. For context, the Mercedes-AMG GT is the current production car record holder with a twin-turbo V-8, completing a lap in 6:43.616.

• Fastest Naturally Aspirated Production Car at Nüburgring in Germany – October 2022
• New Production Car Track Record at Road America in Wisconsin, USA – July 2023
• Fastest production car track record at Buddh International Circuit in India – December 2023

Interior Technology And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

• Three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Track
• Steering wheel-mounted controls for adjusting rebound and compression damping of the front and rear axles and rear differential
• Button-activated Drag Reduction System (DRS)
• Carbon fiber bucket seats
• Six-point racing harness
• Available 12-speaker BOSE speaker surround sound system with subwoofer

The cabin of the GT3 RS is all business, no frills. The single large tachometer keeps the driver focused on making this Porsche sing. With the push of a button, all digital displays disappear to show only critical information. When sitting in the carbon bucket seats, the 9,000 RPM rev limiter is front and center. Drivers have three driving modes available: Normal, Sport, and Track. Track mode unlocks the GT3 RS’ full performance capabilities by allowing drivers complete control over the 911s’ basic settings. Every detail ensures the driver gets the most responsive and rewarding experience possible.

For the first time in any production road car, rebound and compression settings are adjustable from the driver’s seat. This gives the GT3 RS unparalleled customization in damping adjustments. Each wheel allows for eight degrees of damping, from the neutral zero setting to +4 or -4. These adjustments are available via four rotary knobs along with a DRS button on the steering wheel. Bumpy tracks may see drivers softening settings all around for more compliance. Smooth, well-paved tracks allow for the stiffening of settings for maximized grip. Even the rear differential is adjustable. Thus, drivers can fine-tune under/oversteer characteristics out of corners.

There are no rear seats in the GT3 RS, making this 911 a true two-seater. Lightweight construction materials (carbon fiber) are utilized throughout the interior. Full carbon fiber bucket seats are standard, with adaptive 18-way sports seats available as an option. Porsche says they are trimmed in black leather and a Race-Tex joining carbon fiber trim. A roll cage and six-point racing harness are part of the standard Clubsport package. If it wasn’t already clear this 911 prioritizes sport over luxury, the interior door handles have been replaced with fabric pulls. An eight-speaker sound system is standard, and a 12-speaker BOSE surround sound system with a subwoofer is available as an upgrade.

Technology

Tech and infotainment remain equally minimalist in the 911 GT3 RS, in line with the rest of the car’s design. A standard 10.9-inch infotainment display sits in the center of the dashboard and is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. The Porsche Communication Management system integrates Porsche Connect, which synchronizes destinations and calendars and can plan trips with real-time traffic information. Porsche’s Track Precision app is available for driver’s smartphones that can be used to measure and evaluate vehicle performance through the logging of detailed driving data.

Interior Dimensions

(Source: Porsche)

Safety And Reliability

Safety on the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS meets general regulatory standards in the US. There are no active safety or convenience driver-assistive features on the 911 GT3 RS, but a roll cage is included as standard. Neither the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have conducted independent crash testing or safety evaluations. From a reliability standpoint, J.D. Power issued a rating of “Best” for quality and reliability with a score of 91 out of 100.

Driver Assistance Features

In terms of driver assistance features, the 911 GT3 RS lacks them pretty much entirely. The most the road-legal race car gets is backup sensors and traffic sign recognition.

IIHS Crash Testing

Currently, the IIHS has not conducted independent crash testing on the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

• Recalls (NHTSA): 2
• NHTSA Investigations: 0
• NHTSA Consumer Complaints: 1
  • There is currently one complaint on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The complaint states the vehicle started idling erratically, and its check engine light came on. There were no crash, fire, or injuries associated with the incident.
• Awards: 0

Warranties

Warranty coverage for the 2023 911 GT3 RS is standard for a car of its nature. Porsche’s limited vehicle warranty, which includes 24-hour roadside service, and a limited paint warranty runs for 48 months or 50,000 miles each, whichever comes first. There is a 24-month warranty for genuine Porsche parts, exchange parts, and accessories, as well as a 144-month, unlimited-mile limited corrosion warranty.

(Source: Porsche)

2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Versus Its Competitors

The breadth of the Porsche 911 variants allows it to compete against some of the most wildly powerful and exotic cars. With the GT3 RS being naturally aspirated, it’s positioned to go wheel to wheel with the likes of the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán STO. Both competitors are naturally aspirated as well; rear-wheel drive, and rear or mid-engine. All three cars are more alike yet so different.

How The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Model Compares To The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

• 	2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06	2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
  Model	2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06	2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
  Engine	5.5-Liter Flat-Plane-Crank V-8	4.0-Liter Flat-Six
  Transmission	8-Speed Dual Clutch	7-Speed PDK Twin-Clutch Auto
  Horsepower	670 HP	518 HP
  Torque	460 LB-FT	343 LB-FT
  Driveline	RWD	RWD
  MSRP	$105,300	$223,800
  Fuel Economy	15 MPG Combined	16 MPG Combined
  0-60 MPH	2.6 Seconds	3.0 seconds

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is one of the best sports cars to come out of the modern American car market. It offers supercar track performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional supercar titans like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Maserati. Both the Corvette Z06 and 911 GT3 RS use naturally aspirated engines and are RWD. Neither car offers a manual transmission option or AWD.

The Corvette Z06 is slightly quicker and more powerful than the 911 GT3 RS. Both cars get enhanced aerodynamic engineering and suspension. The Corvette is significantly cheaper than the GT3 RS but gets slightly worse fuel economy (not that that is something anyone in this segment is too worried about). The 911 GT3 RS does have rear-wheel steering, but the Corvette Z06 does not.

How The Make Model Compares To The 2023 Lamborghini Huracán STO

• 	2023 Lamborghini Huracán STO	2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
  Model	2023 Lamborghini Huracán STO	2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
  Engine	5.2-Liter V-10	4.0-Liter Flat-Six
  Transmission	7-Speed Auto-Shift Manual	7-Speed PDK Twin-Clutch Auto
  Horsepower	630 HP	518 HP
  Torque	416 LB-FT	343 LB-FT
  Driveline	RWD	RWD
  MSRP	$334,695	$223,800
  Fuel Economy	15 MPG Combined	16 MPG Combined
  0-60 MPH	2.8 seconds	3.0 seconds

Like the Corvette Z06, the Huracán STO shares a lot of similarities with the 911 GT3 RS: RWD, naturally-aspirated engine, no AWD, and no manual option. Just like the GT3 RS is to the 911, the STO is the Huracán most track-capable model of the Huracán. It utilizes a V-10 engine that produces 630 horsepower, 112 more than the 911 GT3 RS.

The Huracán STO pushes power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed auto-shift manual transmission compared to the GT3 RS’ seven-speed twin-clutch automatic. The Huracán STO is slightly quicker, more powerful, and significantly more expensive than the 2023 911 GT3 RS.

How Much Does A 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Cost?

When new, the base MSRP for a 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS started around $223,800 MSRP, before delivery fees. Compared to the previous 991.2 model’s starting MSRP of $188,550, this is a 20 percent increase in price. Yet, since its availability in 2018, the average sale price of a 991.2 GT3 RS is $243,972. Porsche’s Weissach Package makes a return for the new GT3 RS. At a $33,520 premium, the GT3 RS loses 33 pounds thanks to copious carbon fiber and magnesium wheels. Carbon ceramic brakes worth $9,210 are also available.

With every option possible selected, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS encroached the $300,000 threshold very quickly. As a race-inspired and engineered Porsche with a limited production cap for models built worldwide, the 911 GT3 RS has maintained and appreciated its value significantly given its rarity as a street-legal race car.

(Source: Porsche)

Fuel Economy

Just because the 911 GT3 RS is relatively small, don’t expect it to be a money saver at the pump. According to the EPA, fuel economy for the single, naturally-aspirated flat-six engine option in the GT3 RS is rated for 14 MPG in the city/18 MPG highway/16 MPG combined. Annual fuel costs are estimated to be around $3,850. The EPA says owning a 2023 911 GT3 RS will cost $10,500 more in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new vehicle.

GAS/HYBRIDS

(Source: EPA)

Is It Worth Buying Make Model?

The 2023 Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the ultimate race car for the road. Innovative engineering never seen on any production car makes this latest iteration of the GT3 RS a standout example even at its extreme price point. The 911 GT3 RS is a rare and special vehicle. And its price tag certainly reflects that, even if when looking at used examples.

As it stands, this latest Porsche GT3 RS is the benchmark for track-oriented sports cars. Its aerodynamics create the most downforce of any production car to date and doesn’t require turbos or superchargers to augment its performance. If one can handle and afford a 911 GT3 RS, one should consider so.