First look: Light speed Porsche 911

PORSCHE has revived the legendary Renn Sport name, the first time it has been seen on a 996 generation 911.

ust 10 examples of the 911GT3 RS are due in Australia in December, after its makes its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

Here, RS will retail for around $290,000, a hefty $50,000 more than the standard GT3.

The RS name was last seen on 993 Carrera RS 3.8 eight years ago, but traces its origins back to the 1970s and has always meant a motor sport-oriented model.

RS is a lightweight in 911 terms at 1360kg, eschewing air-conditioning, a glovebox, centre console and headlight washers.

Lightweight components include an acrylic rear screen andcarbon-fibre bonnet, engine cover, rear wing and mirrors.

Such have been the weight reduction efforts, Porsche claims a four per cent improvement in power to weight over the GT3 Clubsport.

The new model is 50kg lighter and tips the scales at 1360kg with a full load of fuel (90 litres) in the tank.

But adding weight is a full rollcage, which is fitted as standard. All cars have a white paint finish, with the inscriptions only in blue or red, also in the tradition of its famous forbears The RS shares its 280kW 3.6-litre flat six engine with the GT3.

It reaches 100km/h from rest in 4.4 seconds and goes on to reach 200km/h in 14 seconds. Top speed is 306km/h.

Power is transmitted via a close-ratio six-speed gearbox, while between the engine and the gearbox the RS has a single-mass flywheel with a lower rotating mass than the double-massversion.