NFS Hot Pursuit Car Profiles: Porsche 911 GT3 RS

2011 Porsche 911 GT3 RS

The last Porsche I tested in this game was the 911 GT2 RS, which was, by all means, a complete maniac. Once I got into this Porsche, however, a complete change of mood overwhelmed me. By looking at it, you could imagine that a car with red vinyls, a red wing, red mirror covers, a red grille, a red roll cage, red interior, and red rims would seem almost ridiculous, like it would sit in a shed planning different ways to execute its drivers. The thing is though, it isn't. This is the most stable and completely practical Porsche I've ever driven, which is odd given that this car was meant to be a track racer.

Tunnel Drift

We all know what the Porsche 911 looks like. The hardcore version of the 911 is the GT3 with added body work, more power, and less weight. The hardcore version of the GT3 is this car, the GT3 RS with even more power, less weight, racing wing, racing tires, and racing pedigree. So, think of this car as the hardcore version of the hardcore version of the 911. The 3.8-liter Flat-6 has been tuned from 345 to 450 horsepower. 0 to 60 is now reached in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 193 MPH making this the fastest non-turbo 911 of the lot. That's all very good, but is the handling good as well?

Oakmont Valley

Very is the simple answer. This car was meant to be a race car for the road, and Porsche has certainly achieved this. The car feels very light and nimble in the corners. It doesn't mind letting itself loose sometimes, unlike some Ferraris that are somewhat restrained. When it comes to speed, you should be doing over 207 MPH with the Nitrous topped up. That should scare the SCPD a little. But, the best thing about this version of the 911 is that it's calm.

Filling the Tank up

Now, you may be looking at this car and going, "This is quite flashy! I don't think it's resolved the calm bit behind it." Don't be fooled. This car sets a different mood when you're behind the wheel of it. When you're cruising around Seacrest County at a reasonable speed of say 45 MPH, it stays calm and cool. The suspension is snug and comfortable and the car itself just glides along the road like a magic carpet. Put your foot down, the mood changes from soft and steady to wild and crazy. This car has a racing style pedigree so expect it rip your face off when you come to a corner. But, when you're feeling tired from mashing your foot into the carpet, or in this case punching the R2 Button with your thumb, and you feel like cruising again, the car's mood will change once more and you'll feel like you're driving in Paradise.

Rest Stop

If I had one criticism about this car is that throughout the years, Porsche has never managed to change the design of the 911 from its olden time Beetle shape that most of us have always hated. And this one is no exception, I mean look at it! It looks like a squashed beetle with a wing on it! Anyway, to buy one of these in real life requires $135,500 of your money. That does sound like a lot, but remember that this is part racing car. Buying the actual 911 GT3 RSR would cost over $400,000. Be thankful Porsche limited it to about $136,000.

NFS Hot Pursuit Car Profiles: Porsche 911 GT2 RS

2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS

This has got to be the sickest Porsche 911 I've ever driven in this game. It might look like a regular Porsche GT2, but everything about it is much more monstrous. For example, the front trunk is now made of Carbon Fiber rather than metal. The wheels are lighter alloys made for track racing. The massive wing in the rear is now much larger for aerodynamic purposes. And that 3.6-liter Twin-Turbocharged Flat-6 engine under the hood now produces 620 horsepower making this the most powerful Porsche ever made. 0 to 60 is done in 3.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 205 MPH making it one of the fastest Porsches ever made. With the Nitrous topped out, you should reach 220 MPH, which is unbelievably fast. So, there are a lot of improvements making this better than the previous GT2 back in 2007. But, there are still some problems that need to be addressed. Problem #1: Power.

Too Much Power

The lightness is a good thing, but send too much power to the rear and you're in serious trouble. This car just has an ambition to slide whenever it gets the chance to. Put your foot down, and you'll lose control of a drift. Even being gingerly doesn't work because this car has a monstrous mind of its own. Now some of you Vette fans may be wondering, "Wait a minute. The ZR1 has 638 horsepower, is lighter, and runs at an insane top speed. This Porsche is no different." You're right and wrong. You see what GM has done that Porsche didn't think of was make the ZR1 good for public and racing roads. Yes, the car is low to ground, but it still features that classy GM suspension that absorbs bumps and cracks in the road, making it more comfortable. When cruising, it's calm and well tamed. It's like GM taming a ferocious lion. This Porsche is way different. They failed to tame the lion and it will eat the heads of any of its drivers. You lean one way, the Porsche will go the other way. You go gingerly, the Porsche will attack ferociously. In the end, it's all going to go wrong.

A Tunnel: where the Porsche sounds best

Problem #2: Grip. I imagined that when Porsche added the RS at the end of GT2, they would put more grip into the car. But, alas, they didn't. If you like drifting round every corner, that's fine. But, this Porsche, in the corners, is just crazy. The 911 GT3 RS is more of a track racer. Even with Sport Tires, it handles corners fairly well. This car just wants to go sideways at each corner. It's so difficult to control.

Pure Speed

But, there is one thing that this Porsche does extremely well: go fast. If you hit the top speed then slam on the nitrous, this Porsche will blow every other Exotic Car out of the park. When running from the police, they won't be able to even catch you. It might not be the greatest drifter or grip car, but give this car a mile-long straight and it will fly. But, honestly, this Porsche, all around, is crazy, from the price ($245,000) to the handling. I thought it best to take a rest and leave it in parking lot after testing it. In fact, I actually did.

Leave It and Don't Touch It

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