Park Slope, in Brooklyn, NY, is a very nice neighborhood, and I am very fortunate to have grown up there. However, it is in no way a good supercar spotting area; most parking spots are filled with beat-up first generation Subaru Foresters or fifth generation Volkswagen Passats. So when I turned the corner on my way home and found this deep purple Porsche 911 GT3 RS parked on my street I began to hyperventilate from excitement. I rushed inside and frantically grabbed my camera because this low-to-ground, mean-looking track machine is by far the coolest car to grace the crumbling streets of 16th Street.
Each new generation of the 911 is an evolution of the previous model--it retains the classic semi-circle shape but has the individual design elements, the lights and grilles, are up to modern standards. The 991, which debuted in 2012, continued this pattern, with slight changes from the 997 that preceded it. The headlights featured xenon units instead of basic halogen units, LED fog lamps, slimmer taillights, and a more intricate lower front fascia. There is a reason why Porsche does not give the 911 drastically overhauls. It is one of the most beautiful car shapes of all time, and while the periodical updates to the design are not very exciting, every generation of the 911 has retained the attractive proportions of the original.
This 911, the GT3 RS, can't be categorized as beautiful. The swooping 911 curves are still there, but the myriad of blacked-out and trim pieces and vents lend this performance-focused Porsche an aggressive aura. The wide rectangular vent flanked by square intakes pushed out as far as possible dominate the lower front fascia and make the GT3 RS look lower and wider than the other 911 models. A thin U-shaped vent at the base of the hood accentuates the performance image. The black plastic splitter sticks out from under the toned bodywork, making the 911 look powerful. The Porsche logo, however, is simply a sticker, which feels and looks cheap.
Massive 21 inch, 5-spoke, silver wheels fill the hubcaps, enhancing the low-to-the-ground, dynamic stance. Yellow brake calipers peek out from behind the spokes, suggesting intense performance. GT3 RS branding plasters the front fend, just above the black plastic sill. However, make makes the side of this 911 particularly distinguishable and particularly attractive are the two massive vents. Starting above the front wheel and extending down the front fender, a vent shaped like a sideways ladle composed of wide black slats cools the brakes while giving the 911 an athletic vibe. Just behind the door handle, the circular air intake, also found on the Turbo model, sucks in air for the flat six engine housed in the rear and gives the 911 brawny haunches.
A massive, brutally beautiful, black and purple wing soars above the rear deck, hoisted by spindling silver supports. Combined with the lip spoiler beneath it, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS has a lot of downforce and a lot of attitude. The black plastic engine cover looks a bit cheap, but still contrasts nicely with the main paint color, like the "Ultraviolet" here. Boomerang-shaped vents rise out of the black lower rear fascia, while houses two muscular exhaust pipes. Overall, the 911 GT3 RS is one of the most butch, badass cars on the road.
Grade
Front: A
Rear: A
Overall: A
I know this may be a controversial opinion. And in no way am I claiming that it is an incapable trail specialist. We never left pavement but I trust that it is more than competent off the beaten path. However, on the road the ride is rough and the chassis communicated all of the bumps very clearly. There was also lots of body roll, due to the tall ride height.
But while I was observing all of these faults, I also came to a realization. I realized that I didn't care that I could feel every jarring bump through the hard seats, that the doors were essentially sheetmetal and didn't feel very safe, that the dashboard cluster was a bit chaotic. I realized why so far this year it is the 9th best selling SUV in America. Despite all of these issues, I felt extremely badass. The ride height and the iconic looks and the removable doors and roof all made me feel 100 times cooler than the surrounding drivers. Most Wrangler customers won't take it offroad, but they want to be able to say they can. It is a car that is bought off of image. It is a confidence-boosting slice of Americana.
