GENERATION GAP

Generation Gap

Two very different approaches to the Porsche RS formula.

“The two cars play very different roles in my garage. The GT3RS is modern, bigger and insanely capable, a precision tool that’s more at home on the track (or on European roads). The SC/RS has a completely different feel. It’s comfortable on road trips but it’s certainly no slouch, particularly on a British B road.”

Touring around the roads of Bristol early one morning, Simon has a few cars in the garage, but it’s his two very different Porsches that he came out to see us in. The 2018 GT3 RS in white is the faster of the pair, and the second began life as a 993 Carrera but now resembles an SC/RS, the mid-80s G body variant that marked the very last 911 developed by Porsche themselves to go rallying. Both are perfect for the winding roads of Britain’s West Country.

“At its core, it’s still a 993, but significantly modified and inspired by Porsche’s original rally cars. It’s very different to the 150,000 mile Carrera 2 that I originally bought, but the best bits are still there. The handling is next level, it feels planted on the road and gives me confidence when pushing on. It’s light, nimble and analogue, it keeps you busy and is lots of fun. The 993 engine was enlarged from 3.6 to 3.8 so it produces 320+ bhp, so it takes off down the road like a modern car.

For me the GT3RS feels like it’s constantly ‘pumped’, ready to go with its aggressive stance and big wing. It hops and skips on UK roads and the exhaust tone is addictive. It always amazes me when I go to a track day and count what a high proportion of the cars there are Porsche GT products, it’s incredible. Why? Because they work; they deliver as intended and do it with little fuss.

“At its core, it’s still a 993, but significantly modified and inspired by Porsche’s original rally cars. It’s very different to the 150,000 mile Carrera 2 that I originally bought, but the best bits are still there."

"It always amazes me when I go to a track day and count what a high proportion of the cars there are Porsche GT products, it’s incredible. Why? Because they work."

I love the fact that I’m lucky enough to have both, they complement each other so well. For me, simplicity, functionality and performance are all the things that I love about Porsches. The heritage is important to me too, you only have to look at the evolution of the 911 to understand that Porsche are the masters at staying true to an original concept.”