911 Carrera RS 3.8
911 Carrera RS
Exclusive racer. For sport and road
With the new 911 Carrera RS, Porsche is once again offering customers with motorsport ambitions a racing vehicle with good prospects. In its basic configuration, the RS is designed as a pure two-seater with road approval, making it ideal for mass sport in the form of Porsche Club activities and long-distance races. The new RS is a vehicle for sport and road.
The basis of the Sport Carrera is the 911 Carrera (993), introduced in September 1993, which had already impressively demonstrated its racing potential on international tracks in the Carrera Supercup version of the 1994 season.
Consistent lightweight construction
The decisive factor in sports car construction has always been the power-to-weight ratio - lightweight construction is the most efficient way to improve handling. Braking distances are shorter and the car accelerates more spontaneously. At 1270 kilograms, the new 911 Carrera RS weighs 100 kilograms less than the 911 Carrera, which was already designed to be very weight-optimized. This slimming diet also means that comfort features have to be dispensed with. This means that there are no electric windows, electric mirror adjustment, central locking, headlight cleaning system, windshield wiper interval switch and loudspeakers. The windshield washer tank only holds 1.2 liters instead of 6.5, and the complex interior lighting of the basic version has been replaced by the small light from the 911 Speedster. The airbag for the driver and front passenger is also not part of the standard equipment, but can be ordered on request.
By using thin glass panes and omitting the rear window heating, the weight was reduced by another five kilograms. The aluminum front hood reduces the total weight by a further 7.5 kilograms. In the interior, around 30 kilograms are saved by the seat shells painted in the body color and covered in leather. The rear seats and belt system are omitted. Insulating material has been largely dispensed with, only the engine compartment remains appropriately insulated. The doors are fitted with simple panels. A loop and a light handle are used to open and close the car.
In order to provide the appropriate basis for longer racing sessions, the 92-liter tank, available as an accessory for the 911 Carrera, is part of the standard equipment.
For countries where an immobilizer is mandatory, a special version was developed without the central locking system, which weighs around 1.5 kilograms. The doors can be opened individually on this version. Before starting the engine, the immobilizer must be deactivated using the hand-held transmitter.
300 HP engine with variable intake manifold system
Technically, the 911 Carrera RS has been tailored to sporty use in every detail. The heavily modified engine ensures outstanding performance. The cylinder bore has been increased from 100 to 102 millimeters. With the same stroke of 76.4 millimeters, the displacement is 3.8 instead of 3.6 liters. Compared to the 911 Carrera, the power has been increased from 200 KW (272 HP) at 6100 rpm to 221 kW (300 HP) at 6500 rpm.
Crucial advantages resulted from the change in the intake system. By using variable intake manifold lengths, known as "Varioram", Porsche engineers have succeeded in achieving increased maximum engine performance and at the same time significantly increasing torque in the mid-speed range. In the lower speed range, the RS draws in air through intake manifolds that are almost twice as long as the 911 Carrera. As the speed increases, one slide valve per cylinder bank shortens the intake manifold length under vacuum control. This technical advance is particularly useful for RS drivers who mainly use their vehicle in normal road traffic, where an optimized torque curve and excellent responsiveness are of paramount importance.
The valve train has been modified to increase speeds (maximum performance at 6,500 rpm instead of 6,100 rpm) and improve mixture preparation. The RS engine is ventilated via an intake valve with a diameter of 51.5 millimeters (911 Carrera 49 millimeters), and the exhaust gases escape through exhaust valves that have been enlarged by 0.5 to 43 millimeters. The camshaft and the timing were adjusted accordingly. Despite the major interventions in the valve train, the noise-reducing and maintenance-friendly hydraulic tappets from the series vehicles were retained.
Power transmission optimized
The 221 kW (300 hp) are transferred to the 18-inch wheels via the six-speed gearbox from the 911 Carrera. The first three gears were designed to be a little longer in order to be able to cover the speed range on the race track sensibly. The new double-cone synchronization in first and second gears meant that the shifting force could be reduced by almost 40 percent compared to the previous model. To reduce drive noise, the RS is equipped as standard with the dual-mass flywheel (DMF), which prevents vibrations in the transmission gears.
Sporty chassis with increased comfort
The chassis was designed to match the sporty character of the RS, but driving comfort and thus suitability for everyday use have been significantly improved compared to the previous model. The multi-link LSA rear axle of the new Carrera generation is mainly responsible for this progress (LSA stands for lightweight construction, stability and agility). The subframe of this design has a noise-dampening effect. This is intended to minimize rolling noise and reduce the vehicle's vibrations even on poor roads.
Optimal conditions for racing were achieved through changes in the chassis technology. The vehicle was lowered by 30 millimeters at the front and 40 millimeters at the rear. In order to adapt the vehicle to the respective driving situation, five different settings can be selected on the front stabilizers and three on the rear stabilizers. The RS has the dynamically controlled locking system, which is available as an option for the 911 Carrera in the series version, as standard; it also has a stabilizing effect. This system consists of two elements, the automatic brake differential (ABD) and a mechanical rear axle differential lock, which has been specially adapted to the RS.
The kinematics on the front axle have been specially adapted to the RS-specific driving characteristics. The support bearings are adjustable. The rear axle has also been modified so that motorsports use is possible without component changes. For this reason, stiffer steering bearings were used for the RS, which enables even more precise wheel guidance.
The responsive power steering for easy handling of the vehicle is used as standard in the RS despite the additional weight of seven kilograms. The steering forces are set slightly higher to optimize the steering feel.
The 911 Carrera RS rolls on tires measuring 225/40 ZR 18 at the front and 265/35 ZR 18 at the rear. The tires are mounted on eight-inch wide rims in the RS-CUP design at the front and ten-inch wide rims at the rear.
Larger braking system
By using a larger braking system and wider tires, the braking performance of the new 911 Carrera RS has been further improved. The RS comes to a stop from 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.7 seconds. The engineers achieved this top value with the racing-tested four-piston fixed calliper brakes made of aluminum with 322 millimeter brake discs all around. The series 911 Carrera slows down with 304 millimeter discs at the front and 299 millimeter brake discs at the rear. In addition, the internally ventilated and perforated brake discs at the rear are four millimeters thicker than those of the 911 Carrera. The large design of the braking system prevents the individual components from overheating during racing. The optimized four-channel ABS 5 shortens braking distances on uneven roads thanks to improved control quality and adapted control comfort, which reduces pedal return impulses.
Aerodynamics improved
The Porsche 911 Carrera RS in its latest version is clearly different from the 911 Carrera in terms of its external appearance. The two additional spoilers in the front section, the formally adapted side sill panels and the fixed rear spoiler are by no means purely visual distinguishing features. Rather, the body modifications have reduced the lift values to almost zero with the same air resistance, which further improves straight-line stability and handling. In addition, the new body parts, in combination with the three-part 18-inch wheels in the "RS-CUP design", create a harmonious overall image.
911 Carrera RS Clubsport
Limited special version for sport. Professional on the track
The special version of the 911 Carrera RS, called "Clubsport", is the basis for active mass sport. This version, which can also be delivered with road approval in some countries, is particularly suitable for participation in long-distance classics such as the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring. From now on, the 100 units intended for homologation in international racing (FIA GT2) will be built as left- or right-hand drive and delivered continuously. The Clubsport version costs 164,700 marks. In return, the customer receives additional racing-specific safety equipment compared to the basic version. The vehicles have a welded-in roll cage, a strut brace, special bucket seats on the driver and passenger side with six-point belt systems, a battery main switch and a fire extinguisher.
The aerodynamics of the Clubsport version tailored to the race track. The modified front spoiler, in conjunction with the fixed rear spoiler with adjustable rear wing, generates high downforce with low air resistance. The rear wing can be adjusted between zero and twelve degrees, depending on the race track. Air inlets for the engine intake air and engine compartment ventilation are integrated into the rear spoiler.
In terms of equipment, the Clubsport version is even more spartan than the basic RS version. The entire interior is delivered without paneling or insulation material, painted in the vehicle color. The dual-mass flywheel is omitted, and an airbag is only available on the driver's side for an additional charge. The engine and chassis are identical to the basic version of the 911 Carrera RS.