The Last Production Porsche Model To Feature The Iconic Mezger Flat Six Engine
The last Porsches to feature this race-bred engine is also what many believe to be the purest of all 911s. Here's why
Hans Mezger started and ended his career as an engine builder, at Porsche, making the most successful Porsche engines in motorsports
Most Mezger engines were air-cooled,but the Swan Song was a 4.0-liter, water-cooled M97.74
The last Mezger engine was made specifically for the most hardcore, naturally-aspirated Porsche 997 - the GT3 RS 4.0
At 2,998 lbs, the Porche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 was a lightweight as the analog 996 GT3 RS, but with more power
The last Mezger engine produced 493 hp at 8,250 RPM and 339 lb-ft at 5,750 RPM
997 GT3 RS 4.0 is also the last 911 GT3 model offered exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission
Even with the aggressive aero bits, the Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 reaches a top speed of 190 mph
With a 0 to 60 mph achieved in around 4.0 seconds, the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 can shame many modern performance cars in a straight line. Even more on a track
The first Porsche 911 to feature center-lock wheels as standard
The 4.0 badge returned with the 2016 911 GT3 RS, but it didn't have a Mezger engine
Despite many innovations, the new engine did not produce more power
Hans Mezger's last creation is one considered the purest Porsche 911 GT3 of all time, making the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 one of he best investments for those who have one
Just 600 units of the 997 GT3 RS 4.0 were built between 2011 and 2012. Just 141 were originally sold in the U.S.
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