996 GT3 RS 2003-04

The Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a car that epitomizes sheer excellence. It seamlessly blends the hallmark 911 attributes with enhanced performance, agility, grip, and, notably, steering responsiveness.

These characteristics have long been synonymous with the apex RS models of each 911 generation, tracing their lineage back to the debut of the modern era's 996 GT3 RS in 2003. However, the origins of these models stretch even further, harking back to the inception of the 996 itself in 1997 and subsequently to the inaugural GT3 of 1999.

The former marked the 911's transition to a water-cooled engine, while the latter, though also water-cooled, boasted the revered 3.6-liter 'Mezger' powerplant, bearing closer resemblance to the engine of the Porsche 962 racing car than the newly-introduced 3.4-liter unit of the Carrera. Shedding weight was a priority for GT3 models, achieved through measures such as reduced sound insulation, removal of rear seats, air conditioning, and various other refinements.

Customers had the option to restore some of these amenities, but they could also opt for the Clubsport package, which introduced a half-roll cage, a six-point harness for the fixed-back Recaro driver's seat, a single-mass flywheel, and a fire extinguisher. This package, more than any other feature, laid the groundwork for the RS model that would emerge four years later.