Not all supercars are the same. Some are made to impress on highways and some to write time on the tracks. Porsche 911 GT3 RS clearly belongs to the second division. It is a car born from motor sport, evolved into Nürburgring and carries on the road technology that until a few years ago we met exclusively in GT racing championships.
This Porsche, located in Giannis Vardinoyannis' garage, is not just another expensive 911. Instead, it is perhaps the most extreme street version the German firm has ever presented, designed with the sole goal of maximum performance on the track. It's no coincidence that even Porsche people call it «a racing car with registration plates».
The choice of such a model can only be taken by accident. Giannis Vardinoyannis has associated his name with the Greek car racing for decades and remains one of the people who know as few as what balance, adhesion and feeling means behind the wheel. For a race-based driver, GT3 RS is perhaps the most authentic expression of Porsche philosophy.
Under the hood there is neither hybrid system nor supercharge. Instead, a six-cylinder flat-six is hosted with a capacity of 3.996 cubic centimetres, which naturally breathes and yields 525 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 465 Nm torque, while rotating up to 9,000 p.a. Porsche continues to invest in one of the last major atmospheric production engines, maintaining the immediate response and characteristic sound that have made its GT versions legend.
The power transmission is done exclusively through the seven-speed dual clutch PDK box, which makes relationship changes to a few milliseconds, sending motion to the rear wheels. Although several expected Porsche to adopt a four-wheel drive in such a powerful version, the company's engineers chose to maintain the classic rear movement, offering the most authentic driving experience.
Performance remains impressive even with today's data. The acceleration from a stop to 100 km/h is completed in just 3.2 seconds, 200 km/h coming in about 10.6 seconds, while the top speed reaches 296 km/h. These numbers may look lower than some hypercars with over 800 horsepower, but the substance of GT3 RS is elsewhere: in speed within the turns and overall efficiency of construction.
The greatest technological achievement of this Porsche is undoubtedly its aerodynamics. For the first time in a production model of the company, such an extensive system of active aerodynamic aids is used. The huge rear two-part aerometry has a DRS system, equivalent to Formula 1, reducing aerodynamic resistance to straight and increasing the top speed. At the same time, active flaps on the front, specially designed diffuser and a fully redesigned lower part of the bodywork cooperate to produce huge vertical force. At 200 km/h GT3 RS develops about 409 kg downforce, while at 285 km/h this price is launched at 860 kg, levels that a few years ago we only met in pure-blooded GT3 racing.
The suspension is also a product of racing know-how. For the first time in 911 GT3 RS we find front suspension with double scissors, a layout that comes almost identical to the races, offering greater accuracy in braking and better control at the fast curves. In addition, the driver can adjust from the steering wheel the damping of the shock absorbers, compression, reset and operation of the electronically controlled differential, without having to stop the car.
The use of light materials is extensive. Doors, hood, roof, front wings and several more sections are made of carbon fibers (CFRP), limiting the weight to about 1,450 kg. If the Weissach package is added, which uses even more carbon and magnesium for rims, weight reduction becomes even greater, further improving performance on the track.
Even the brakes were designed based on continuous use in racing conditions. The huge ventilated discs work with six-pointed claws in front and four-pistons in the back, while optionally available the ceramic PCCBs, which reduce the unmountable weight and offer excellent strength even after continuous fast rounds.
The result of all this is reflected on the track of Nürburgring Nordschleife, where Porsche evolves almost all high performance models. The 911 GT3 RS completed the 20.8 km round in just 6 minutes and 49.328 seconds, a time that ranks it among the fastest production cars ever released under a legal license.
The presence of such a car in Greece is of particular interest. Although our country does not yet have a permanent track of international standards that can fully exploit the potential of such a model, in recent years the number of collectors and extremely rare supercars circulating on Greek roads has been increasing constantly. The development of track days in Serres and Megara, as well as the participation of many Greek owners in international events, show that the culture of driving on the track acquires more and more supporters.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS of Giannis Vardinoyannis is not just a very expensive collectible car. It is a technological achievement, a model that automatically carries Porsche's decades-long knowledge to the endurance struggles and GT championships. And at the same time, it is perhaps the car that fits more than any other to a man who has dedicated an important part of his life to the world of motor sport.
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