The Director's Cut

It’s hard to imagine how the last 911 GT3 RS could be improved upon. But somehow, with yet further honing of the model’s engine, chassis and aero, Porsche has managed it.

- Richard Meaden

HOW MUCH BETTER THAN THE 991.1 GT3 RS can it be? I mean, really, how much better? That’s what I was thinking when Porsche unveiled the 991.2 GT3 RS at the Geneva motor show. Well pass me a knife and fork because I’ve got an extra-large portion of humble pie to eat: the new RS is a sensationally good car.

Was I foolish to succumb to superlative fatigue when it comes to Porsche’s ramped-up product cycle? Possibly. But was I right to be sceptical at just how meaningful an improvement could be made on the already fabulous Gen 1 991 RS? Absolutely. And yet, the new car proves me wrong.

Just how good Weissach-Flacht’s newest export is will become abundantly clear during the two-stage media launch. At least it’s a two-stage launch for me, as I’ve bagged a spot on both the road drive and the track test a few weeks later. The venues? The Isle of Man for the former (including guided laps of the TT course behind Mark Higgins, he of the Subaru lap record) and the Nürburgring for the latter. No, not the Nordschleife – the lap’s too long and too big a risk for press tests in a model this quick. Besides which, Kévin Estre proved the car’s ultimate potential there, clocking a remarkable 6:56.4, just 9sec behind the brutally powerful GT2 RS.

And so to Ramsey and the iconic backdrop of the TT course start/finish line for leg one of the RS drive. It’s a small gathering of people – just a handful of German, UK and US journos – but a mighty gathering of cars, with a regular and Weissach Package-equipped 991.2 GT3 RS on hand, plus all its water-cooled RS ancestors to offer some context. Oh, and a beautiful 2.7 RS, just to make the day that bit more surreal. The weather isn’t being kind, but it’ll take more than a bit of rain and low cloud to dampen my spirits.