Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Compare the Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is £3,000 cheaper. The Porsche 911 Turbo S is 0.4s quicker to 60mph. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is more fuel efficient. Full performance, cost & ownership breakdown.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S is priced from £175,000, powered by a 3.8L Twin-Turbo Flat-6, producing 640 hp, with 800 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 2.6s, a top speed of 205 mph, sent to the road via all-wheel drive. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is priced from £178,000, powered by a 4.0L Flat-6, producing 518 hp, with 465 Nm of torque, reaching 0-60 mph in 3s, a top speed of 184 mph, sent to the road via rear-wheel drive.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S offers a 128-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 20 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty. The Porsche 911 GT3 RS offers a 132-litre boot, a usable front boot, runs on petrol, returns around 22 mpg, is covered by a 4yr / 50k mi warranty.
On cost of ownership, the Porsche 911 Turbo S is £3,000 cheaper than its rival, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS costs less in annual maintenance (£1,800 versus £1,700), the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is the more fuel-efficient choice, a full tank costs around £90 for the Porsche 911 Turbo S and £85 for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Driving Character: Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS
The Porsche 911 Turbo S utilises a sophisticated AWD system with active torque vectoring that provides staggering, all-weather performance. It feels deceptively rapid, with a chassis control system that masks its immense power through cornering, yet it ultimately insulates the driver more than the GT-spec siblings, prioritizing crushing point-to-point speed over nuanced steering feel.
The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is essentially a road-legal race car, featuring aggressive aerodynamic aids that generate genuine downforce. The 4.0L flat-six is at its most extreme here, delivering 518hp with a razor-sharp throttle response. The chassis is incredibly stiff, tuned for maximum track precision, which makes for a highly intense driving experience on public roads. The steering feel is unparalleled, transmitting every nuance of the road surface directly to the driver’s palms. It is a machine that demands complete, unwavering commitment, rewarding the skilled pilot with performance levels that exceed almost anything else in the production world.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 GT3 RS takes our 0-100 driving character grading, 88 against 97. Characteristic of the Porsche 911 Turbo S: Immense, effortless all-wheel-drive pace with real depth of ability. For the Porsche 911 GT3 RS: The most extreme naturally-aspirated 911, drenched in motorsport aero technology. In outright terms it is 640 hp against 518 — a 122 hp gap — and the Porsche 911 Turbo S reaches 60 mph 0.4s sooner.
Interior & Cabin: Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS
The cabin is remarkably refined for such a potent machine, making it a genuinely usable daily GT car. It features the signature Sport Chrono dial and luxury seating, with all technology packages seamlessly integrated. While the material quality is high, it lacks the bespoke flair or artisanal material choices found in certain Italian rivals at this price point.
Inside, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is stripped to the bone, with CFRP door panels and a roll cage serving as the primary design features. Carbon bucket seats are standard, locking the driver in place for high-G maneuvers. The cabin is purposefully sparse, lacking luxury padding in favour of weight-saving measures that prioritize speed. While road and wind noise are prominent at motorway speeds due to the lack of sound deadening, this is expected in a model of this focus. Everything is designed to be functional and lightweight, creating a pure, motorsport-inspired workspace that keeps the driver focused on the tarmac.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 Turbo S takes our 0-100 interior & cabin grading, 84 against 55. Characteristic of the Porsche 911 Turbo S: Supportive, comfortable seats and modern, user-friendly cabin. For the Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Motorsport-focused cabin, similar to the GT3 but more stripped-back.
Daily Usability: Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS
As the most practical 911 variant, the Turbo S offers genuine all-season confidence thanks to its AWD architecture. Its clever combination of a front boot and rear storage allows for meaningful luggage space, though the expansive body width can create significant challenges in tight urban environments. Furthermore, its sheer performance demands regular attention to tyre wear.
Daily usability is deliberately limited in the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, though it remains technically legal for the road. The nose lift system is a necessity for clearing urban obstacles, preventing damage to the sophisticated front splitter. Storage is limited to the front trunk, which is adequate for track day essentials but not for large loads. Ingress and egress are physically demanding, requiring one to clear the roll cage. The suspension is too firm for comfort on broken surfaces, making long-distance commuting fatiguing. It is a specialized weapon meant for the circuit, not a daily companion for errands.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 Turbo S takes our 0-100 daily usability grading, 90 against 45. Characteristic of the Porsche 911 Turbo S: The most daily-usable supercar on sale — comfortable, quiet, easy to place. For the Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Usable daily if you accept its extreme, track-bred intensity. that means 128 litres of boot space against 132, and everyday running costs that favour the Porsche 911 GT3 RS at the pumps.
Ownership: Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Maintaining a stellar reputation for reliability, this model remains a benchmark for high-performance usability. It commands premium residuals in the used market, consistently holding its value well. However, prospective owners must account for high annual maintenance costs, with the complex PDK transmission and AWD system adding significant weight to long-term service intervals compared to simpler sports cars.
Owning a Porsche 911 GT3 RS is a commitment to the pinnacle of naturally aspirated performance, and it carries the costs to match. With its motorsport-derived components, maintenance is frequent and expensive, requiring specialist knowledge that the Porsche Motorsport network provides. Insurance premiums are significant given the car’s market value and performance potential. However, its scarcity and extreme engineering ensure that it remains a high-value asset, with strong residuals and a dedicated community of owners. It is a long-term investment that requires dedicated resources but pays off with an experience that few other machines can provide.
Head-to-head, the division is clear: the Porsche 911 Turbo S takes our 0-100 ownership grading, 88 against 80. Characteristic of the Porsche 911 Turbo S: Exceptionally reliable for a car with supercar performance. For the Porsche 911 GT3 RS: Strong Porsche reliability and huge collector demand. On the wallet the two diverge at £175,000 versus £178,000 — a £3,000 difference, with annual maintenance of £1,800 against £1,700.