First Impressions of the 991 GT3RS

There’s one thing about the 991 GT3RS that has stuck with me.

It takes me back to when the early 991 GT3RS was first released, and Matsutoya-san drove it on Car Graphic TV. Known for his calm and measured reviews, Matsutoya-san was grinning from ear to ear—an expression rarely seen in recent years. That moment remains vivid in my memory.

“What a fantastic suspension!”

His words and smile perfectly captured the essence of this car. Despite its racecar-like appearance, it manages to deliver a ride quality at a remarkably high level. That’s what the 991 GT3RS is all about, and that impression has stayed with me ever since.

Years later, I finally had the chance to test drive this particular example.

The 991.2, or later model GT3RS, sports a striking Crayon body color with yellow calipers from the Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB). At first glance, it looks like it has the Weissach Package, but the owner has applied unique customizations: the front is lowered by 8mm, it’s fitted with an Innotech exhaust system, and the high-mounted rear wing evokes the 992 GT3RS. Even at a standstill, its presence is commanding.

Masterful Handling Born from Expert Setup

Starting the engine, the exhaust bellows out a powerful sound. Yet, surprisingly, it lacks the harshness often associated with aftermarket exhausts. The volume is loud but never grating—rather, it’s a pleasant tone to listen to. This is the true merit of the Innotech exhaust.

Right away, I noticed how light the car felt overall. The power difference between the GT3 and GT3RS is only about 20 horsepower—not enough to feel distinctly different on the road. Instead, the RS’s essence lies in its weight reduction and chassis tuning, a fact that became clear immediately.

What stood out most was the handling characteristic brought by lowering the front by 8mm.

Typically, to corner quickly in a rear-engine 911, you need to consciously load the front tires. But this GT3RS is different. Even at casual speeds on winding roads, it feels like the front end is already loaded. When you turn the wheel, the nose eagerly tucks in. It’s slightly oversteer-biased, but this setup might be perfect for flowing through streets with confidence.

That said, if you push hard on a circuit—braking hard into corners—the rear will likely become more prone to sliding. For serious track use, lowering the rear to balance the chassis might be necessary.

Incidentally, I arrived at the test drive in a classic air-cooled 964 Porsche. Driving the GT3RS that day, I was struck by how much it reminded me of the air-cooled Porsche’s character. Compared to contemporary Carrera models, this car more strongly embraces the rear-engine feel. The sensation of the front slightly lifting under hard acceleration or uphill, a feeling that’s faded in recent 911s, still peeks through here. It reaffirmed that this is a 911 made for true enthusiasts.

Suspension and PDK: A Benchmark in Refinement

If you blindfolded me and had me compare the GT3 and GT3RS, I’m not sure I could confidently call out the differences.

But looking closer, distinct nuances emerge. The most impressive was how well the suspension absorbs fine vibrations at low speeds. Compared to the 991.2 GT3 Touring I previously owned, this GT3RS’s suspension smooths out micro-vibrations more effectively. I finally understood what Matsutoya-san meant by “fantastic suspension.”

This isn’t a car that’s “super comfortable,” but for a GT3 model, it achieves an impressively high level of ride quality.

The PDK transmission’s refinement is also noteworthy.

The thrill of downshifting is exceptional. While the PDK in the Spyder RS and GT4 RS is fantastic, this one is just as sharp. When dropping from 4th to 3rd, then 3rd to 2nd, each paddle pull delivers razor-sharp shifts. At the same time, the exhaust sings a glorious tune. This is Porsche’s PDK at its finest. No other manufacturer in the world offers a transmission that matches this level of precision and feel.

The engine revs smoothly and eagerly climbs to 9,000 rpm without hesitation—a sensation that never grows old. With the Innotech exhaust, this car emits a race-inspired soundtrack even at low revs, making every moment behind the wheel exhilarating across the entire rev range.

Where This Car Truly Shines

Driving the GT3RS made me reconsider who this car is really for.

The answer is clear: drivers who take their cars to the track.

The large rear wing generates downforce that’s hard to feel on twisty mountain roads. However, the owner says that even on highways, changing the wing’s height produces a noticeable difference in downforce. On the circuit, that effect must be profound.

For those who spend weekends pushing their limits at the track, enjoy some spirited driving on mountain roads on the way there and back, or take short tours on nearby mountain passes, the GT3RS is the perfect choice. The standard GT3, without the RS badge, sits slightly closer to everyday usability. Understanding this subtle balance is key to distinguishing the GT3 from the GT3RS.

The 991 GT3RS is Porsche’s ultimate street racer—maximizing track performance while not completely sacrificing road practicality. That exquisite balance might just be this car’s greatest appeal.