Thanks To The New Engine

Porsche has made its presence known at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by unleashing the most powerful street-legal 911 ever. The 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS delivers 700 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from its 3.8-liter twin-turbo flat-six. Thanks to the new engine, the 911 GT2 RS hits 60 mph in a Porsche-estimated 2.7 seconds. On the track, top speed is 211 mph. Compare that to the outgoing 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS, which was estimated to hit 3.4 seconds and a top track speed of 205 mph. Most impressively, the new model has a 80-hp and 37 lb-ft advantage over its predecessor. Based on the engine in the 911 Turbo S, the engine in the new GT2 RS boosts performance even further with a new additional cooling system and larger turbos that push a greater volume of air into the combustion chambers. The flat-six pairs to a custom GT seven-speed PDK transmission.

The car鈥檚 chassis accommodates rear axle steering and has been specifically tuned for the spirited driving this car will undertake. To improve performance, the rear-drive 911 GT2 RS features large air intakes, a large rear wing, ceramic composite brakes, and 265/35 ZR 20 tires up front with 325/30 ZR 21 tires in the rear. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics can be found on the front fenders, wheel housing vents, rear quarter panel air intakes, and other areas. The front luggage compartment is also made of carbon fiber, and the standard roof panel boasts a magnesium construction. A lightweight titanium exhaust system weighs about 15 pounds less than the system in the 911 Turbo, just one update that helps keep the car鈥檚 weight as low as possible to 3,241 pounds. 31,000 Weissach package. For this price, you鈥檒l receive magnesium wheels as well as a carbon fiber roof and anti-roll bars. Red Alcantara, black leather, and carbon fiber accents fill the cabin. Both driver and passenger get full bucket seats with carbon fiber reinforced backrests. Audio, navigation, and other creature comforts are also part of the interior. The standard Porsche Track Precision app enables drivers to record and analyze their driving data on their smartphones, while the optional Chrono Package gets a built-in performance display for viewing, saving, and evaluating lap times. Although we鈥檒l have to wait several months, we can expect to see this sports car on our shores.

So does the 拢32,265 Focus RS have what it takes to overcome the Civic Type R鈥檚 challenge? That overboost function allows the Focus to boast brawnier figures than the Civic. But the extra weight means that, in reality, on the road there鈥檚 not much difference in performance. At our track the launch control and four-wheel drive meant the Ford was quicker off the line from 0-60mph, taking 5.0 seconds. This was untouchable for the Honda, yet there鈥檚 more to this battle than straight-line speed. The extra torque gives the Focus strong in-gear performance, accelerating on test from 50 to 70mph in sixth in 4.6 seconds - 1.2 seconds faster than the Civic. In fifth, the same test took the Ford 3.7 seconds and the Honda 3.8 seconds, just a tenth behind. The Focus was much faster off the line, though, thanks to that four-wheel-drive grip. Despite the RS鈥檚 speed, the Civic is the sweeter car to drive, with nicer steering and incredible grip in fast corners.

The Ford鈥檚 six-speed manual box is also lighter and not quite as mechanically precise as the Honda鈥檚. It鈥檚 this interaction with the car that defines the experience. The clever Drift mode kicks the tail out into an arc in corners and gives the Ford an advantage over the Honda here, but it feels like it鈥檚 fighting what the car fundamentally wants to do. You鈥檒l have to find yourself a track just to use it. Still, the traction on offer is excellent, helping turn the car a little more from the rear and boosting agility. The RS is always raring to go. It鈥檚 firm in the standard mode, with hyper-alert steering, while initiating the RS mode for the dampers will have you pogoing up and down in your seat; the chassis is very firm. There is no doubt this hatch has the hot element covered, but it doesn鈥檛 have the breadth of ability of the Civic.

Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭he RS was developed with help from rally driver and YouTube sensation Ken Block. The Focus RS is even more pumped up than its ST stablemate, with its huge grille and roof spoiler. But the Honda takes things to another level with its outlandish wheelarches, racy bodykit and massive wing. It makes the Ford look toned down when you put the two together like this. Each of these hot hatches offers ballistic straight-line performance, but they鈥檙e also fantastic at scrubbing off speed. The Ford鈥檚 brakes are very strong and inspire confidence, but the Honda鈥檚 seem even sharper and the pedal gives plenty of feel. Both the RS (Rallye Sport) and Type R brands have heritage and loyal UK fans. Type Rs arrived in the nineties, and fast Fords have used the RS badge since the seventies. They now mark the top of each brand鈥檚 performance ranges. The Honda Civic Type R is the new hot-hatch king. A clever new chassis set-up means it鈥檚 more fun than ever without being too stiff for use on the road. Meanwhile, the strong in-gear performance feels more usable than before, and the car delivers sweet steering, slick shifts and incredible grip.