Porsche 911 R (991)

 

The 991-gen Porsche 911 R is basically a GT3 RS, except more extreme and exclusive. It was produced for the 2016 model year, borrowing the GT3 RS' 4.0-liter flat-six producing 500 horsepower and 338 lb-ft of torque. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of 201 mph. Unlike the GT3 RS, the 911 R is only offered with a six-speed manual. The 911 R also doesn't have the GT3 RS' large rear wing and other aerodynamic effects, but is often distinguished by two contrasting parallel stripes that run nearly the entire length of the vehicle. These stripes come in either red or green, while the 911 R originally came in either white or silver. The original owner of the example above paid extra to have the car painted black. Although it may look like a regular Porsche 911 on the exterior to the average Joe, the 911 R's interior is stripped down like that of the GT3 RS. More specifically, it contains high-quality materials such as stitched leather and carbon fiber, along with no rear seats, fabric straps for cabin door handles, and other weight-saving measures. 

Only 991 total units of the Porsche 911 R were made, priced at $185,950 when new but now selling for around $500,000 preowned. The latter instance is especially the case with the above example. The closest model to the 911 R that Porsche now offers is the GT3 Touring, which is a more subtle 911 GT3 that most notably forgoes the GT3's signature rear wing. Overall, the 911 R is a cool, incredible, and special vehicle that flies under the radar, but I don't think it is worth half a million dollars. In addition, I wouldn't recommend that anyone who is lucky enough to get their hands on a 911 R use one as a daily driver due to its track-focused nature and lack of creature comforts that are standard on most other Porsche 911 models. Still, these drawbacks shouldn't take away from the fact that the 911 R is a rare collectible and future classic that will continue to appreciate over time.

Included below are photos of the 991-gen Porsche 911 GT3 RS that I have taken so far this year.