quickxotica

omg, I can NOT believe it!

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ATLANTA, GA, May 20, 2011 - Porsche® has announced the creation of an exclusive, limited production model to be offered in the US-market only. The 2013 Carrera “RSA edition” is designed to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Porsche RS America model. To be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, 2012, the new "20 Years of the RSA" Carrera reflects the spirit of one of Porsche enthusiasts' most sought-after North American models.

The new Carrera RSA edition embodies many aspects of the original, with an elegant fixed rear-spoiler, narrow fenders, low weight, excellent agility, and a high level of driving pleasure. The new commemorative RSA edition further reflects this classic Porsche model with performance enhancements and additional styling cues not previously available on standard Carrera models.

For added performance, the RSA edition is equipped with the lightest equipment specification offered in the Carrera model line since 1989. By eliminating the sunroof, audio system, air-conditioning, soundproofing, headlight washers, rear seats and other trim items as well as installing aluminum doors and lightweight sport bucket seats as standard, the curb weight of the RSA edition has been reduced to 2,878 pounds. Sportier suspension settings and wide-offset 18-inch forged alloy wheels front and rear weighing only nineteen and twenty pounds each, respectively, improve handling while quicker acceleration is assured by a 15 percent lower ratios in the six-speed manual transmission’s first five gears. Michelin’s Pilot Super Sport tires are fitted as standard. The 3.6-liter flat-six cylinder power plant is based on the direct-fuel-injected (DFI) motor of the standard Carrera, but has a less-baffled and lighter exhaust specific to the US-market’s more relaxed noise regulations. A more aggressive engine management program tuned to take advantage of the exhaust’s increased flow-rate near maximum engine speeds is also included. Together these changes achieve a rating of 355 horsepower (SAE) at 7,400 rpm, propelling the new car from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, and on to a top track speed of 182 mph.

Other standard features include a limited slip differential, 30mm reduced ride height, fixed-rate dampers matched to progressive springs of 40% greater rate than those in the normal Carrera, bridgeless monoblock brake calipers and rotors from the Carrera S model and adjustable control arms, multi-position stabilizer bars and stiffer bushings from the GT3 model.

Similar to the original RS America, the new RSA edition is available in only three standard Porsche colors – Guards red, Carrara white or black. A unique front bumper with shortened overhang preserves the ramp angle of the standard Carrera despite the RSA’s 30mm reduced ride-height. For additional visual emphasis, the wheel spokes are painted in non-metallic Slate Grey with a contrasting polished lip. A colored Porsche crest adorns each wheel hub cover and the brake calipers have an aluminum-look paint finish. Other exclusive exterior styling features include matte-black oval tailpipes, discreet “RS” logos ahead of each rear wheel and non-metallic Slate Grey lower trims and side skirts adapted from the Carrera GTS model.

Fire-resistant black cloth featuring a diagonal Porsche script logo dominates the car's interior with matching black carpet and floor mats. The handbrake lever, gear lever, inside door handles, headliner and padded sport steering wheel are covered in black Alcantara© fabric. The rear section of the center console, dashboard trim strip and air vent surrounds are painted in non-metallic Slate Grey. Instruments are uniquely styled with black gauge faces enumerated in classic Porsche font to recall the era of the original RS America. The cloth-clad Sport Buckets seats for the first time feature a manual height adjustment allowing the seating position to be raised or lowered. The front center console that normally contains the PCM unit has been deleted entirely to emphasize Porsche’s hallmark rear-engine configuration, leaving only a small detachable cargo net separating the driver and passenger footwells.

GT Silver Metallic paint, Espresso natural leather interior, air conditioning, dynamic engine mounts, a lightweight Lithium-Ion battery, silver-colored seat belts and factory-installed rear seats complete the short list of optional equipment.

Production of the new RSA edition is limited to 1993 units to commemorate the original RS America’s introduction to the US market. A limited-edition plate on the glovebox cover indicates the car's production number. The new 2013 model will go on sale in the United States in March 2012 at a price of $83,900 US.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga., and its subsidiary, Porsche Cars Canada, Ltd., are the exclusive importers of Porsche vehicles for the United States and Canada and is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG.
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TRAKCAR

So still a 997? bacially a GT3 without the motor..

GrantG

Any photos? Didn't see the model on Porscheusa.com...

jenk12m

looks like it

GrantG

Better than a GT3 in some ways:

1. Lighter
2. Non-PASM -30mm Suspension
3. Much Cheaper
4. Standard Sport Buckets
5. Better gearing (compared to non-RS GT3)
6. Lighter clutch (some like, some don't)
7. Improved approach angle w/o optional lift
8. No troublesome center-locks
9. Cheaper tires (18")
10. Much cheaper replacement motors (might be needed more frequently)
11. Height adjustment on the Sport Buckets (hope they go lower!)

Worse than GT3 in several ways:

1. Less power/torque
2. Non-Mezger (Dry Sump) motor and non-motorsport gearbox
3. Non-adjustable coilovers
4. Lower redline

cfjan

The GT3 also has advantage on the brakes and adjustable suspension arms (LCA)..

Is it cheaper than the standard Carrera? That would be the right direction... !!

Izzone

Perfect Daily driver for me........I might have to get off Rennlist and start working to make some money

GrantG

It's certainly cheaper, given some of the included options (i.e. LSD & Sport Buckets).

Serge944

Wow - this car is actually pretty sweet.

GrantG

While the GT3's brakes are certainly bigger (and cost more to refresh pads and rotors), this RSA has much less power and a little less weight, so I don't think it will really detract from its ability much, if any.

cfjan

Yeah, the Carrera S brakes should be plenty.. but just wanted to point out the "differences", I guess..

GrantG

No worries. BTW, are the GT3's rims forged or cast? I know most modern Porsche wheels are cast, but the RSA's seem to be forged.

Clifton

I'd like to see a visual of the center console delete. Sounds cool.

n2cars

Do you think air conditioning could be added?

GrantG

I find it a little weird that the acceleration time is spec'd for 0-100kph (rather than 0-60mph), given that this is a US-only model. Might be an error, but if true this car has a better time than the 408hp Carrera GTS (according to the European Porsche sites). I suppose it's possible, given the lower weight and gears...