Performance Review: Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Porsche 911 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Porsche 911 has a 3600cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The 911 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 911's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1350 kgs (2976 lbs) this makes the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 in the same weight category as the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 or the give or take 50kg.

The Porsche 911 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp)

In terms of power the 3600cc 24V St6 engine produces 375 bhp (279 kW) @ 7400 rpm similar to the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp) or the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (360 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St6 throws out 284 lb-ft (385.0 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Porsche 911 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 (302.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Porsche 911.

The Porsche 911 has a Power to weight ratio of 277.7 bhp per ton and 210.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 911 competing with the 1993 Lamborghini Diablo VT 5.7 V12 (302.7 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Mercedes S Class 63 AMG S 4Matic (302.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Porsche 911 generating around 210.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2d Auto (235.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW X6 M 4.4 V8 Turbo F86 (235.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.5 secs, this made the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs). This Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 is also faster than the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 911 and the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII GSR

When talking about the performance of the Porsche 911 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.54 secs @ 109.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII GSR (12.49 secs), the 1992 Subaru Impreza WRX - Classic JDM (12.49 secs), and the 2001 BMW 3 Series M3 SMG 2d E46 (12.50 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 has a maximum speed of 190mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 911 equals the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996 then how about the 2020 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 RWD Spyder (201 mph), the 2020 Audi R8 5.2 V10 (201 mph), or the 2019 Audi R8 5.2 V10 RWD (201 mph).

Related Links:

2003 911 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Porsche

Car Comparison