992-generation Archives - Porsche 911 Parts Direct

In a stunning display of engineering prowess, Porsche has once again asserted its dominance on the racetrack. The 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS recently demolished the production car lap record at Road America, outperforming its predecessor, the 911 GT2 RS, by nearly two seconds. This achievement underscores the exceptional performance capabilities and driver confidence instilled by the 911 GT3 RS, despite having less horsepower than its predecessor. Let’s delve into the details of this record-breaking feat.

Record-Breaking Lap:
Porsche’s seasoned race car driver, Dimitri Dimakos, showcased his exceptional skills as he piloted the privately-owned 911 GT3 RS around the challenging four-mile Road America circuit. With awe-inspiring precision, Dimakos completed the lap in a mere two minutes and 13.8 seconds, effectively surpassing the previous record set by David Donohue in a Porsche 911 GT2 RS back in 2019, which stood at two minutes and 15.1 seconds. It is important to note that the 911 GT3 RS achieves this remarkable feat despite having 180bhp less than its predecessor, a testament to the car’s outstanding performance capabilities.

Unmatched Performance:
Porsche’s 911 GT3 RS not only toppled its own lap record but also demonstrated remarkable improvements over the previous generation 911 GT3 RS on the demanding Road America circuit. The lap time of two minutes and 13.8 seconds was not only nearly two seconds faster but also an astonishing four and a half seconds quicker than its predecessor. These improvements are a testament to Porsche’s relentless pursuit of innovation and performance enhancements.

Track-Ready Excellence:
What makes this achievement even more impressive is that the record-setting 911 GT3 RS was not a specially modified track version but a privately-owned car that had been delivered to its owner only a few weeks prior. To prepare for the lap, Porsche performed a track alignment and fitted the car with optional, road-legal Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R N0 tires. Despite the demanding conditions and the rigorous nature of the track, the 911 GT3 RS delivered a flawless performance, inspiring both confidence and comfort in the driver.

Driver-Focused Engineering:
Dimitri Dimakos, the talented driver who piloted the 911 GT3 RS, emphasized the car’s exceptional characteristics that enable even novice or intermediate-level drivers to achieve remarkable lap times. With braking capabilities akin to those found in the 911 GT3 Cup car, Dimakos noted the seamless stability and precise handling of the car, allowing him to brake at the same spot consistently without any instability or deviation. The 911 GT3 RS’s impeccable braking performance, straight-line stability, and exceptional turn-in capability contributed to Dimakos’ confident and record-breaking lap.

Conclusion:
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS’s triumph at Road America is a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries in the world of performance automobiles. Surpassing its own lap record by nearly two seconds, the 911 GT3 RS showcases its exceptional engineering and driving dynamics. With the ability to instill confidence in drivers of varying skill levels, this road-legal supercar epitomizes Porsche’s dedication to delivering exhilarating performance both on the track and the road.

Successor to 2016’s 911 R fuses GT3 RS’s 518-hp engine with manual transmission

It’s over four years since Porsche revealed the 992-generation 911, which means we can expect to see the facelifted 992.2 later this year. But the existing 992 still has a few tricks up its sleeve, including this high-performance 911 ST.

The next of Porsche’s Heritage Design projects, the ST takes its name from a rare lightweight 911 built for competition in the early 1970s, though Porsche has no plans to race the new car. It follows a similar path to the Sport Classic, cherry-picking some of the best bits from Porsche’s other 911 models and bundling them together in a limited-run car with a huge price. Both feature manual transmissions but should be very different in character.

Why? Because, while the ST shares the Sport Classic’s double-bubble roof, it is likely to swap that car’s 911 Turbo engine for the 4.0-liter naturally aspirated motor from the GT3 RS, meaning it’s more like a successor to the 2016 911 R. Unlike the 503 hp (510 PS) GT3, which comes with a choice of transmissions and can be specced with or without the big wing, the 518 hp (525 PS) RS is only available with a seven-speed PDK and the full spoiler package. So the idea of a 911 with RS power, a manual box, and a super-stealthy visual presence has real appeal.

Not that you’re likely to mistake the ST for a basic Carrera. These spy shots reveal the GT3 hood vents and center-lock wheels, a boxy front bumper with a large central air intake, and the slash-cut carbon doors and similar front fenders (minus the saw tooth top vents) to those on the RS.

At the back, there’s a circular heritage badge. Still, no sign of the retro ducktail spoiler seen on the Sport Classic – the original ST predated the legendary Carrera RS 2.7 that made the ducktail spoiler famous. Hence, the modern version also goes without.

Porsche only built around 24 original STs between 1970-71, but its modern namesake won’t be so rare. Porsche offered 1,250 Sport Classics at $274k (£214k), and it’s possible the ST could come close to matching both of those numbers, though it’s worth remembering that Porsche only built 991 examples of the 911 R. Either way we think Porsche will unveil the ST this spring, giving the high-revving special plenty of time in the limelight before the 992.2-generation 911 is launched late this year.