Duck away. Or full-on confrontation? Headwind is like any challenge. The best thing to do is face whatever is coming head-on. With no nonsense. Not blindly, of course, but with ingenuity.
The special challenge in the design of the new 911 GT3 RS: keeping the drag coefficient low and, at the same time, sustaining high downforce. For optimum tyre contact pressure, especially in the corners. Then there is the issue of fresh air, because the engine and brakes must not be allowed to overheat even under full load.
Optimum cooling is provided by large air intakes with titanium-coloured grilles incorporated in the front end. The extra air outlet ahead of the front lid increases flow through the centre radiator – and, by diverting the air flow, simultaneously reinforces aerodynamic downforce at the front axle.
The front spoiler lip is now even wider than the lip of the predecessor model, and downforce has been increased as a result. The sideskirts have also been further widened, a measure that has enlarged the overall surface area of the underbody – for another increase in downforce.
The louvres on the front wings combine striking aesthetics with high-level functionality. These eye-catching black slats of the wheel arch vents have the effect of reducing the overpressure generated by the turning wheels, thereby improving the downforce on the vehicle.
Typical of the 911 GT3 RS: two air intake openings for the engine, on the left and right in the rear side sections respectively.
The NACA air intakes on the CFRP front lid are new. These are used to supply air to the brakes and that's without negatively affecting the drag coefficient. Their shape was developed by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the precursor to NASA. Space technology – for supreme performance in absolute proximity to the ground.
If we had just one word to describe the design language of the new 911 GT3 RS, then ‘squat’ would be the fitting attribute. If the word eluded us, however, then we’d make our point by showing you the rear end. Based on the wide body of the 911
Positioned right down by the tarmac are the two central tailpipes of the sports exhaust system. The rear silencer and tailpipes are made of titanium and are integral to the characteristic sound of the 911 GT3 RS.
The slimline tinted LED taillights visually reinforce the car’s wide appearance. The fixed rear wing in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) produces tremendous downforce at the rear axle and helps to provide high driving stability even at top speed. The wing uprights painted in black are made of forged aluminium.
In short: optimum aerodynamics for the race track and an equally good drag coefficient for everywhere else. So no reason to duck away. Time to take the offensive.
© 2019 Dr. Ing. h.c. F.
* Data determined in accordance with the measurement method required by law. Since 1 September 2017 certain new cars have been type approved in accordance with the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), a more realistic test procedure to measure fuel/electricity consumption and CO₂ emissions. As of 1 September 2018 the WLTP replaced the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Due to the more realistic test conditions, the fuel/electricity consumption and CO₂ emission values determined in accordance with the WLTP will, in many cases, be higher than those determined in accordance with the NEDC. This may lead to corresponding changes in vehicle taxation from 1 September 2018. You can find more information on the difference between WLTP and NEDC at www.porsche.com/wltp.
Currently, we are still obliged to provide the NEDC values, regardless of the type approval process used. The additional reporting of the WLTP values is voluntary until their obligatory use. As far as new cars (which are type approved in accordance with the WLTP) are concerned, the NEDC values will, therefore, be derived from the WLTP values during the transition period. To the extent that NEDC values are given as ranges, these do not relate to a single, individual car and do not constitute part of the offer. They are intended solely as a means of comparing different types of vehicle. Extra features and accessories (attachments, tyre formats, etc.) can change relevant vehicle parameters such as weight, rolling resistance and aerodynamics and, in addition to weather and traffic conditions, as well as individual handling, can affect the fuel/electricity consumption, CO₂ emissions and performance values of a car.
** Important information about the all-electric