The Porsche 911 GT3 RS is probably the last car that comes to mind when you think about practicality. But the owner of this particular 992.1 example (as seen in the Reddit post below) based out of Dubai seems to think otherwise, as he or she has clearly tried to improve the usability of this track toy by mounting a Porsche-branded roof box, made by Swedish company, Thule. The GT3 RS does not have a frunk like other 911s, because additional aero elements have taken its place. So adding a roof box should help in maximizing space and the amount of stuff you can carry, however, it comes at a huge cost to the car’s capabilities and intended use. Regardless maybe, (and I’m just assuming here) this owner is stuck with a weird predicament, where this is their only daily driver. Let’s explore some of the pros (yes, there is one) and cons of mounting a roof rack on your GT3 RS.

Does a Roof Box Belong on a GT3 RS?

shot a gt3rs with a roofbox byu/Na98000 inDubaiPetrolHeads

Now, Porsche fans. Hear me out. Let’s get one thing out of the way. I’ve always maintained that the Porsche 911 is one of the most practical and daily usable sports cars out there. There’s very little drama. Civilized doors, a well-thought-out, and ergonomic high-quality cabin, and depending on the model or trim, great headroom, legroom, and even decent cargo room. For a performance sports car, visibility is great and is something that the 911 has always been good at, and with modern-day conveniences such as cameras and sensors, living with this Porsche is easy; at least by performance car standards. Overall, I’m a fan, because I love the idea of a machine that is restrained, and a bit understated, but also packs mega power when you need it. Everything up to the Turbo S in the 911 range, does this brilliantly. It’s only when you get into the high-revving naturally-aspirated GT range that Porsche strips things out and charges you more money, all in the pursuit of even more speed and track domination (totally justified).

Now having a roof box won’t look out of place on a Macan, Cayenne SUVs, a Porsche wagon, a Panamera, or even Taycan, it’s not that it hasn’t been seen on a 911 before. In a region like the Middle East, a model like the 911 Dakar should actually come with a roof box as standard. But on a 911 GT3 RS?? I’m not so sure. Beyond the obvious issue of messing up all the aerodynamics that Porsche worked so hard to perfect, it also adds weight. Porsche currently offers two roof boxes: a 520-liter and 320-liter model, weighing between 60 and 40 pounds respectively. What’s even stranger is that this particular car has been spec’d with the optional Weissach package, which shed weight back at the factory, only to pile on a few of those pounds back with this roof box. It even appears to have a custom mounting bracket, as the box sits much further back than normal and it appears to be integrated with the swan-neck wing, which even features DRS.

An Odd Benefit Of A Roofbox On The GT3 RS

Hopefully, this GT3 RS never shows up this way at a racetrack, but it should be totally fine on the road or the ultra-wide multilane highways of the Emirates for a road trip. Okay, now what I’m about to say is subjective as it involves design. In a place like Dubai, where you have Bugattis and Köenigseggs sharing street space with humble Camrys; standing out even with an exotic car is not easy. I know this as I’ve actually had the good fortune of actually experiencing it in a DB9. But could a 911 GT3 RS with a roof box stand out? Maybe. Would it be accepted by car people, now that’s debatable. Look, I’m not saying this is cool, but does it catch your attention? Well, it certainly does, which is why you’re probably reading this article, to begin with, and in that respect; it’s mission accomplished for the owner of this GT3 RS.

GALLERY