Porsche 911 GT3 RS - the sportiest yet

Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Photo / Supplied

Porsche is picking its limited-edition 911 GT3 RS will sell out before it arrives in New Zealand next April.

Either that or the few examples allocated to this part of the world will be snapped up once potential buyers see the car and its $340,000 price tag.

The GT3 911 RS is described as the most sporting road-going 911 and the pinnacle of Porsche's road-and-race know-how.

It provides the basis for the homologation of the 911 GT3 race cars for Porsche Supercup and Carrera Cup championships throughout the world.

The new RS (Rennsport) coupe comes with more power, reduced weight, slicker gearbox ratios and upgraded body and suspension changes.

It uses a revised version of the naturally aspirated 3.8-litre engine that powers the standard GT3. The new boxer six delivers 331kW - 11kW more than the GT3 and 26kW more than the previous GT3 RS - and drives the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox with shorter gear ratios for more rapid acceleration.

The new model is the first RS example to pick up Porsche active suspension management, a high-tech stability system.

The car's aerodynamics are also taken to the next level, says Porsche, with even more downforce than on the standard GT3. Dynamic engine mounts are standard and improve the car's performance at speed by altering the stiffness and damping between engine and body.

A wider front and rear track boost cornering grip. The front axle gets 9-inch alloys running on 245/35 ZR 19 tyres and the rear axle features 12-inch wheels shod with 325/30 ZR 19 tyres under wider wheel arches.

The GT3 RS rides lower and carries its tell-tale ID: an extra-large carbon-fibre rear wing with aluminium wing supports. Dual tailpipes for the titanium sports exhaust reveal all, too.

What isn't obvious is the new weightwatcher's battery: an optional lithium-ion unit that weighs 10kg less than a conventional lead battery.