911 GT3 RS
The facelifted GT3 RS's aesthetic changes over the outgoing model consists of a mildly revised rear bumper, new headlights, side skirts and bigger vents to aid brake cooling.
Available as an option, the Weissach Package adds magnesium alloy wheels and carbon chassis as well as interior components to bring weight down to 1 430 kg, while the no-cost extra Clubsport gets a six-point motorsport derived harness, manual fire extinguisher, battery disconnect switch and roll cage.
Rolling on new 20-inch lightweight alloy with the rears measuring 21-inches, the interior of the GT3 RS does without rear seats and instead features door loops, lightweight door panels, lightweight glass for the rear window and less sound deadening.
Motivating the GT3 RS, the normally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six has also been tweaked with power now standing at 383 kW (a 15 kW jump) and torque at 470 Nm (up 10 Nm), meaning a top speed of 312 km/h and 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds. Unlike the standard GT3 though, the RS will only be made available with a specially calibrated seven-speed PDK gearbox.
Set to be launched in April, pricing for the GT3 RS in South Africa will kick-off at R3 220 000 and include a three year / 100 000 km Drive Plan as standard.
Diesel culling
At the other end of the scale, Porsche also announced that diesel versions of the Macan and Panamera would no longer be available, with the same applying to the new Cayenne launched last year.
According to a report by Britain's Autocar, a Porsche spokesperson has cited the "cultural shift" towards electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles as the main reason, with the models axed being the Macan S Diesel and the Panamera 4S Diesel.
Last month, Motor1.com reported that a new type of emissions cheating software has been found on a number of Audi models fitted with the now controversial 3.0-litre TDI engine, that could have powered the Macan in preparation for its rumoured facelift in April.
The publication further states that the discontinuing of both models was likely as a result of the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure system that led to BMW announcing the end of M3 production by May, as well as a decline in demand.
Speaking to Autocar at the launch of the Cayenne last year, Porsche CEO Oliver Blume claimed that diesel does not rate as a big priority for Porsche, as only 15% of its sales were made up of oil burners.
