PORSCHE

Many marques have used the ‘RS’ to designate performance models, but in the hearts and minds of most enthusiasts it is Porsche that will always “own” those two letters as the acronym for its Rennsport cars. The name literally translates to ‘sports racing,’ which rather succinctly spells out their primary purpose: to homologate vehicles for sports car racing classes that require a production minimum. All told, there have been RS models in all six 911 generations, plus a handful of other models. In eminently logical fashion, Porsche added a second ‘ R’ to differentiate the RS models it actually preps for competition, giving rise to the coveted RSR cars.

1973-74 911 CARRERA RS 2.7, RS 3.0, AND RSR

The quintessential RS and the first 911 to wear the badge, it was created to homologate a high-performance version of the classic 911 for FIA GT competition. It was an explosive success in both sales and competition (with the RSR version). The original Carrera RS is defined by its “ducktail” rear spoiler, and many road-going versions have prominent rocker-panel graphics. RSR models like the Hurley bigger fender flares, deeper front air

1992-94 911 CARRERA RS/CARRERA RS AMERICA/CARRERA RS 3.8

The second-generation (964 Series) 911 RS was essentially a street-legal Carrera Cup racecar. There were three versions. The original was not available in the USA, but the‘93 RS America remedied that—powered by the same 3.6L. The finale was a limited run wearing a turbo wide body and packing a 300hp 3.8L engine.

1995-96 911 CARRERA RS

The 993-Series RS took the last of the air-cooled 911s out in style. Weighing 300 pounds less than the standard Carrera, it also made 30 more horsepower. The Clubsport was even more specialized; it stripped out carpet, insulation, and power accessories, and installed a factory roll cage and a bigger rear wing. The 993 RS was rare—just over 1,000 were built, and none were imported to the US.

2003-04 911 GT3 RS

The first water-cooled RS was anything but watered down. With the introduction of the 996-Series the “GT3” nameplate had over the homologation role traditionally held by the RS, but those initials returned on an even more track-ready GT3 which used carbon fiber body panels and polycarbonate windows to shed weight and offered carbon-ceramic brakes—a first for a 911 road car. Stylistically it borrowed heavily from the original ’73 Carrera RS 2.7 with its rocker panel decals.

2006-11 911 GT3 RS/RS 3.8/RS 4.0/GT2 RS

The 997-Series RS began as an evolution of the 996 and was mechanically similar—until 2010. That’s when it got a facelift and a displacement bump to 3.8L, producing 450hp. As if that weren’t enough, a year later 600 special GT3 RSs got the 4.0L race motor out of the RSR which made a full 500hp! Then (because why not?) Porsche engineers bolted the 620hp turbocharged motor out of their Le Mans-winning GT1 in the back of the RS and christened it the GT2 RS—quite a send-off for the 997!

2016-PRESENT 911 GT3 RS/GT2 RS

It took Porsche 4 years to gin up an RS on its 991 platform, and on paper it seems similar to the previous RS 4.0. But engineers knew there was more to be had, so they revamped the aerodynamics for the 2018 facelift (dubbed the 991.2), retuned the suspension and squeezed 520hp out of the engine. They also offered the Weissach package which reduced weight via lighter carbon-fiber body parts and magnesium wheels. That car shredded the Nürburgring 20 seconds faster than the 2016 car! At the same time Porsche released a GT2 version of the RS. With 700hp and a $300,000+ price tag, it is the fastest, most powerful, most expensive 911 road car ever built.

Left to right: ’73 Carrera RS 2.7, a lightweight ’72 S/T 2.5, and a ’73 RSR 2.8 showcase Porsche’s commitment to production-based sports racing. [Photo by FlorentMassart via Flickr]

In Diecast: The 911 is one of the most often modeled cars of all time, so numerous versions of most RS cars shown here exist in multiple scales from multiple manufacturers—far too many to list individually. Some notable brands include AUTOart, GT Spirit, Greenlight, Hot Wheels, IXO, Matchbox, Minichamps, Maisto, OttOmobile, Solido, Spark, and Technomodel.

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Some years back AUTOart got the Euro-spec ’92 RS down to a tee. The RS America added graphics and a tray-type spoiler.

The 2003 GT3 RS showed a clear family resemblance to the original from 30 years earlier. The 1:43 Minichamps replica of the outrageous GT2 RS Weissach captures the aggressive aerodynamics that make it the fastest production Porsche of all time.

The ultimate 993 Carrera RS was the Clubsport (in red) which removed nonessential interior items and added a bigger rear wing.

Maisto’s rendition of the rare 2011 GT3 RS 4.0 is one of its nicest castings—very impressive for its sub-$30 price tag.