2012 Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 Coupé

Footnotes

'Since its launch in 1999, the Porsche 911 GT3 has been the benchmark against which every other track-focused car has been rated. There are more powerful, more expensive 911s, but the GT3 represents the sports car at its purest and most intense. In fact, all four generations of GT3 arguably rank alongside 1973's legendary 2.7 RS in the annals of greatest 911s.' - Auto Express.

Intended primarily for racing, though still road legal, the Porsche 911 GT3 - first introduced in 1999 - can trace its ancestry all the way back through a succession of high-performance models to the legendary 911 Carrera RS of 1973. The car takes its name from the FIA's GT3 category of production sports car racing, and has been produced in a variety of versions since its introduction in 1999 on the Type 996 iteration of the perennial 911.

Following the launch of the original Type 996 GT3, Porsche introduced an even more track-focused variant in 2003: the GT3 RS. Standing for RennSport (literally 'race sport') the 'RS' designation referenced that iconic first-of-the-line model of 40 years previously. In GT3 RS specification, the 3.6-litre flat-six 'Metzger' engine was up-rated, producing around 400bhp, although the claimed output remained unchanged at 318bhp for homologation purposes. The RS was lighter than the 'ordinary' GT3, weigh saving measures including a polycarbonate rear window, and carbon-fibre bonnet and rear wing, while the stock cast-iron brake discs were replaced with ceramic composite rotors for greater fade resistance under competition conditions. RS suspension was adjustable, and the car ran some 3mm lower than the stock GT3.
For 2006 the GT3 was extensively redesigned and improved on the Type 997 platform. New features included 'zero lift' aerodynamics and Porsche's PASM electronically adjustable active suspension system, specially configured for track use. Porsche claimed a 0-60mph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 193km/h for the new GT3. By the end of the of year there was also an RS 'homologation special'. Weight-saving measures similar to those seen on the Type 996 RS were applied, while the body was wider than that of the Type 997 GT3, accommodating an increase in rear track. A new 3.8-litre engine was introduced on the 2nd Generation Type 997 GT3 in 2009; maximum output increased to 429bhp, with 444 horsepower available from the RS version.

And just in case there was any doubt about the Type 997 GT3's abilities as a competition car, in 2006 Porsche's official test driver, rallying ace Walter Röhrl, lapped the spectacular Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit - widely recognised as one of the most demanding tests of man and machine - in an astonishing 7 minutes 42 seconds, then the equal fastest time posted by a production car - a feat that attracted much favourable publicity.

Launched in 2011, the 911 GT3 RS 4.0 was the final evolution of the Type 997 GT3. As its nomenclature suggests, this ultimate model was powered by a 4.0-litre engine, which incorporated the longer-stroke crankshaft from the RSR. Maximum power increased to 368kW (493bhp) and torque to 339lb/ft, the chassis and running gear being further developed to cope. On the road this translated into a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of over 300km/h, while the benchmark Nordschleife lap time was cut to 7 minutes 27 seconds. Only 600 examples of the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 were built.

This rare and desirable modern Porsche was delivered new in January 2012 by Garage André Losch (Porsche Luxembourg) to its sole owner. Now with only 33,800 kilometres recorded, the car retains its original paintwork; has never been involved in any accidents; and has never been over-revved (diagnostic results available). More importantly the vendor confirms us that the engine is still the original one, as a lot of these 4.0-litres have had replacement engines from the factory it seems. Possessing a crystal clear history, it comes with its fully-stamped service booklet and has just been serviced at a cost exceeding €5,000. The related invoice is on file and the car also comes with Luxembourg registration papers and certificate of authenticity. Its specification is as follows:

B4 Carrera White Exterior Paint
28 Leather/Alcantara Black Interior
003 ClubSport Pack
220 Locking differential
305 Gear knob in Alcantara
310 Hand brake in Alcantara
341 Painted Wheels in White
384 Carrera GT driver's seat
385 Carrera GT Passenger Bucket Seat
424 CD Player
430 Wheels 19 inch GT3
441 Sound Package
475 Porsche Active Suspension Management
476 Porsche Stability Management
480 6-speed manual gearbox
482 Tire Pressure Monitoring System
512 Contrast Colour Silver GT (RS 4.0)
534 Anti-theft alarm
573 Automatic air conditioning
578 6 Point Harness for the Driver - 579 6 Point Harness for the Passenger
587 Colour coded roll cage
594 Alcantara headlining
599 Doors Aluminium
601 Bi-xenon headlights
605 LED daytime running lights
659 On-board computer with driver information
843 Alcantara Sports Steering Wheel
991 Leather airbag module
XAA Aerokit Cup
X69 Carbon Door Thresholds
XGB Carbon Interior - XSX Seatbelts in Indian Red
XYB Aluminium Optic Tank Cap

Presented in generally excellent condition, this stunning, little-used, and fully documented Porsche supercar would enhance any private collection.