What Is the Porsche Flachbau RS?
A special edition of Porsche has been manufactured from a 991.2-generation 911 GT2 RS featuring the Weissach Package. The vehicle was produced through the Sonderwunsch programme together with the Porsche design and engineering departments, Porsche Motorsport, and Manthey.
This conversion retains the powertrain but significantly modifies the vehicle’s body, interior, and aerodynamics. Design ideas were inspired by the Porsche 935/78 race car called “Moby Dick” and the 1980s Porsche Flachbau 911 Turbo.
What changes have been made in the 911 GT2 RS body?
The most noticeable change is the shift from the normal GT2 RS front-end styling to the more low-slung slant-nose styling. The redesigned front wings now have slotted vents that allow air out of the wheel arches and control air pressure.
The front bumper was also redesigned, while the round headlamps were replaced by three slim LED headlamps on either side with light functions arranged vertically for high beam, low beam and daytime running light.
The exterior colours include Grand Prix White, with matt black and exposed carbon-fibre sections. The bonnet and roof now have stripes that have been revised, while the bonnet now has a U-shaped carbon-fibre graphic as homage to the 935/78 livery.
The fuel filler flap and its mechanisms were modified due to changes in the front wing shape.
What changes have been made to the aerodynamics?
The Flachbau RS has been modified using aerodynamic parts supplied by Manthey. These parts include the front splitter, underbody parts and rear diffuser, while carbon-fibre aerodiscs have been installed at the rear wheels to reduce aerodynamic drag.
The most distinctive feature at the back is the new wing fitted to the car on the S-shaped supports. The wing resembles the rear wing of the 911 GT3 R Rennsport, but is 5 cm higher than the same wing fitted to the Flachbau RS.
The wing may be positioned manually in three different positions. According to Porsche, compared with the 911 GT2 RS with Manthey Kit, the rear-axle downforce at any chosen wing position will be 2% to 3% higher.
According to Porsche, the High Downforce setup will produce 554 kg of rear-axle downforce at 340 kmph.
How much weight was stripped from the Porsche 911 GT2 RS?
The one-of-a-kind 911 is 31.6 kg lighter than the standard 911 GT2 RS with Weissach Package. The reduction in the vehicle’s weight was achieved through significant interior modifications and the stripping out of some parts.
In particular, the Porsche Communication Management has been removed from the car, and a leather-covered storage box has been installed. The audio system was stripped, along with most of the sound insulation, floor covering, and luggage-compartment trim.
At the back of the front seats, the interior gets a competition-minded setup. Many parts here are finished in Grand Prix White-painted metal, and carbon fibre trim has been applied in select locations. Some portions of the modified wiring harness remain visible under protective coverings, and unnecessary wiring from the vehicle’s original design has been removed.
The carbon fibre bucket seats get an “Flachbau RS” embroidery, and there is a “Sonderwunsch” logo on the dashboard to denote this as a factory one-off.
What is the relationship between this car and the Porsche 935 “Moby Dick”?
The design inspiration for the Flachbau RS comes from the Porsche 935/78 race car, known as “Moby Dick”. Its distinctive low front-end styling and bonnet graphic are among the main sources of inspiration.
This project was created by Grant Larson, who also designed the modern Porsche 935 unveiled in 2018.
The Flachbau storey within Porsche, however, goes further back than this. From 1982 to 1989, Porsche delivered a total of 948 slant-nose 911 Turbo units using the Type 930 design. These were built with redesigned front wings and pop-up headlights, which drew inspiration from the 935 racecar project.
When will the Porsche Flachbau RS become available?
The Porsche Flachbau RS is a special one-off build for a single Porsche customer via the Sonderwunsch programme, and is not a production model. Porsche has yet to release information about the production version of the car as well as pricing for the conversion.
The base vehicle is a 2018 Porsche 911 GT2 RS fitted with the Weissach Package, and the completed version still uses the same engine. At present, Porsche does not seem to be releasing the Flachbau RS for sale.
