FEW people have ever emerged from behind the wheel of Porsche's track-focused 911 GT3 and said that they found the experience too soft or not thrilling enough, writes William Scholes.
However, for those nutcases who always want a bit more, here's the even harder GT3 RS, which Porsche describes as "the definitive track car for everyday use".
"Everyday use" may be stretching a point, but the GT3 RS oozes "definitive".
Few cars blur the line between road and track like it; Porsche says it "is equipped with the maximum degree of motorsport technology currently possible in a street-legal 911, yet retains supreme suitability for everyday driving".
Compared to the GT3, the RS has undergone a range of aerodynamic and engine improvements, as well as a weight-loss plan. To put its ability in some sort of context, it can lap the 14-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife racetrack in 7 minutes and 20 seconds, which is nine seconds faster than Porsche's own Carrera GT supercar.
The engine is a six-cylinder 4.0-litre unit with 493bhp and 339lb/ft, transmitted to the rear wheels by a double-clutch gearbox; 0-62mph takes 3.3 seconds and 0-124mph a scant 10.9 seconds.
The roof panel is made from super-expensive magnesium - helping lower the centre of gravity, with the engine and luggage compartment lids made from carbon fibre. The RS is around 10kg lighter than the GT3, despite a larger, wide-arched bodyshell.
Rear-axle steering, torque vectoring and a fully variable rear limited slip differential increase agility and dynamics, and the wider front and rear track widths enable even higher roll stability than the regular 911 GT3.
Inside are bucket seats and a steering wheel modelled on that found in the 918 Spyder supercar.
Other standard equipment includes xenon headlights, sports exhaust, dynamic engine mounts, Alcantara interior trim, 20-inch diameter front and 21-inch diameter rear centre-lock forged alloy wheels, active suspension management and a tracking anti-theft system.
The GT3 RS arrives in showrooms with a starting price of £131,296 - hardly cheap but something of a bargain when compared to anything of remotely comparable ability and performance.
