996.2 GT3 RS Parts & Accessories

The 996 GT3 RS holds a distinct place in Porsche history: it was Andreas Preuninger's first project as the newly appointed head of Porsche's GT department, and it revived the RS badge for the water-cooled era after the tradition had lain dormant since the air-cooled 993 Carrera RS. Unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, it existed for one reason, homologating the GT3 race car for international GT competition, and Porsche built it accordingly, with no compromise toward comfort.

Power stays identical to the standard GT3's 3.6-liter Mezger flat-six, at 381 hp and 284 lb-ft, since Porsche's focus here was chassis and weight rather than output. What the RS gets instead is a lighter single-mass flywheel for sharper throttle response and a close-ratio 6-speed manual, the only transmission ever offered. A distinctive air collector mounted beneath the rear wing feeds extra intake air at speed, helping the engine reach peak output more consistently on track. Porsche quotes 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and a 190 mph top speed, essentially matching the standard GT3 despite the RS's added weight-saving hardware.

Weight is where the RS earns its badge. A polycarbonate rear window, carbon-fiber hood and rear wing, and a magnesium roof panel all shed mass versus the standard GT3, while an optional Clubsport package cut an additional 110 lbs through a roll cage, deleted rear seats, and further stripped interior trim. Every RS was finished in white with red or blue graphics, a deliberate visual callback to the 1973 Carrera RS 2.7, and Porsche built just 682 units total, with only 140 in right-hand drive, none officially sold in North America. This car marks the true beginning of the modern GT3 RS lineage that continues through every 911 generation since, and the template for the dedicated GT department Preuninger has run ever since.

• Model year: 2003 to 2004 (996.2 generation)
• Engine: 3.6L naturally aspirated Mezger flat-six, 381 hp, 284 lb-ft
• 0 to 60 mph: 4.4 seconds
• Transmission: 6-speed manual only, no automatic offered
• Notable firsts: revived the RS badge for the water-cooled 911 era; first project overseen by Andreas Preuninger as head of Porsche's GT department
• Available as: 911 GT3 RS (coupe only, rear-wheel drive, 682 units produced worldwide, not sold new in North America)