As the GT3 RS 4.0 examples continue to rise in value and sell for seven figures, we take a deep dive into one of Porsche’s collector cars.
The Porsche 997 GT3 RS was already a track icon before Porsche Motorsport decided to take it up a notch with the limited edition RS 4.0. While the 997.1 GT3 RS featured a 3.6-liter engine and the 997.2 GT3 RS had a displacement of 3.8 liters, it was the 4.0-liter variant that truly cemented its place in Porsche history. Launched in 2011, the GT3 RS 4.0 was a swansong for the 997 generation and a final farewell to the legendary Mezger engine in its most extreme naturally aspirated form. Only 600 examples were assembled and rolled off the assembly line in Stuttgart, making it rarer than most collectors and enthusiasts would assume. Compared to the 3.8, the 4.0 was more powerful, more responsive and even more track-ready, thanks to a long list of motorsports parts and light tricks.
Mezger’s influence
The heart of Porsche’s legendary GT car is the 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine, the largest-displacement Mezger engine that Porsche has ever installed in a road car. German engineer Hans Mezger’s influence dates back to Porsche’s motorsport programs, including Le Mans and F1, earning a reputation for absolute reliability and high-speed performance. Hans himself is a mythical figure in Porsche engineering, having developed everything from the 12-cylinder boxer engine of the 917 to the Formula 1 turbo engines of the 1980s. The 997 GT3 RS 4.0 is probably its ultimate expression of street legality, a high-revving, naturally aspirated masterpiece that shows how racing technology can be translated into everyday usability. Unlike modern turbocharged 911 models, this one truly relies on the driver, as every gear change and throttle creates a direct connection to the mechanical soul of the engine.
Porsche motorsport styling
Aesthetically, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 features subtle but meaningful improvements over the standard 3.8 version. Either red or black graphics complemented the all-white starting color, and front dive planes were added to increase downforce at higher speeds on the straights. Lightweight carbon fiber parts, including the front fenders, hood and bucket seats, helped shave precious pounds and achieve the curb weight of 2,998 pounds. The high rear wing, center-locking wheels and open-plan Cup car-inspired bodywork provided both a strong track presence and functional aerodynamics. Everything about this car exuded pure lightweight precision, right down to the small RS 4.0 emblems on the rear and on the door stickers.
Racetrack-ready interior
Inside, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 adopted the simple cabin of the 3.8, but took the motorsport features up a notch. The factory roll cage, bucket seats with racing harness upgrades, and Alcantara all around gave it a race-ready feel while providing just enough comfort to make it roadworthy for a Friday commute to the office. Owners who opted for the Clubsport package received a fire extinguisher and battery kill switch, while lightweight door handles reminded the driver that weight savings are more important than comfort. Despite its rough personality, the layout is typically Porsche: logical, clear and entirely focused on the driving experience.
Suction power and precision
Under the rear trunk lid sits the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine that produces 500 hp and 339 Nm of torque. The speed is a whopping 8,500 rpm and all the power is transferred directly to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission. There is no PDK, no turbo lag, just pure, linear performance and a perfectly balanced chassis. Porsche reworked the chassis and used components from the GT2 RS to improve performance. With a Nürburgring lap time of just over 7:27, it was one of the fastest production cars of its time and remains a benchmark for what a driver-only 911 can be. Even today, the sound and driving experience of this Mezger engine are unsurpassed.
Limited production and increasing value
With only 600 examples produced worldwide, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 has become one of the most collectible modern Porsches on the market today. It marked the end of the Mezger era and the last all-manual GT3 RS, two key factors that helped drive values ​​steadily upward. In July 2025, an 842-mile example was auctioned for a record price of $1.26 million, confirming that this car is the holy grail for air-cooled purists and water-cooled warriors alike. The more collectors recognize the 997 generation’s mix of analogue driving experience and modern performance, the more assured the RS 4.0’s place in Porsche’s archives will become. Whether you view it as a museum piece or the ultimate weekend track weapon, there’s no denying that this Mezger masterpiece has earned its legendary status.
Sources: Porsche/Shmee150 YouTube
