If, around the world, you hear a sharp intake of breath, it will be because true driving fans have simultaneously heard that prestige German car maker Porsche is launching a new version of an iconic sports car.
Yes, Porsche is revitalising the 911 GT3. This exceptionally track-ready road sports car makes its debut with an expanded lightweight strategy and is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0 litre boxer engine with 503bhp (510 PS) and 450 Nm of torque. There’s are new, highly customer-focused options like the ‘Weissach’ package, available for the first time in the 911 GT3, which offers even more custom configuration options for use on the track. In addition, the sports car comes with more extensive standard equipment and other options that further enhance its precision and sportiness. There’s also a ‘Touring’ version. ‘Touring’ in a GT3; just imagine.
The Desirable Exterior
As this page has said oft times before, the 911 doesn’t change, it evolves and it’s the same story here. All Porsche have done is quite simply improved upon perfection. The new 911 GT3 models feature a sharpened design in the front and rear as well as adapted aerodynamics.
In both variants, the re-contoured front diffuser, the refined shape of the spoiler lip and modified fins on the underbody increase downforce and optimise the air flow. Redesigned Matrix LED headlights, available on the 911 GT3 with an optional white accent ring, combine all the light functions of the 911 and eliminate the need for additional lights in the front apron. This enables an enlarged air inlet area and a more clearly structured look. In the rear, the diffuser, air inlets and rear lid have been redesigned. The rear wing of the 911 GT3 has new angled side-plates. It’s the little things.
The Sporting Interior
For the new 911 GT3, a new lightweight sports bucket seat with a folding backrest and a seat shell made of carbon fibre is available as an option. Interestingly, the seat is equipped with an integrated thorax airbag, electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment; a three-stage seat heater is also available as an option. A part of the headrest padding can be removed. This improves ergonomics for most drivers when wearing a helmet during circuit use. The folding function of the backrest, which is activated via a loop, enables access to the optional rear seat system offered for the first time in the 911 GT3 with the ‘Touring’ package. As an alternative, you can order the Adaptive Sports Seats Plus with electric 18-way adjustment.
The black two-seater standard cockpit in the new 911 GT3 is based on the design of the current 911 models. Unlike the Carrera models, however, the 911 GT3 is not started with a button, but still has a rotary ignition switch which is a lovely touch. An optionally available roll-over bar demonstrates the proximity to motor-sport.
The digital instrument panel in the centre supports the driver with a clearly structured display and control concept. Thanks to the contrasting colour scheme, the rev counter and stopwatch can be read in a flash. The ‘Track Screen’ display mode reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the tachometer to key data on tyres, oil, water and fuel and indicates the optimal shifting time to the driver by way of a shift flash. If desired, the tachometer display can be rotated so that the cut-off speed of 9,000 rpm (yes, you read that right) is at the 12 o'clock marking.
The Naturally Aspirated Power And Drive
No turbo-chargers here thank you very much. Its low overall weight contributes to the agile and direct handling of the 911 GT3. The new 911 GT3 goes all-in on lightweight design. A new, silver-coloured lightweight aluminium wheel reduces the unsprung masses by more than 1.5kg compared to the previous model. Optionally, magnesium wheels are available with the ‘Weissach’ package or the ‘Leichtbau’ (lightweight) package. They save nine kilograms. A new 40Ah lithium-ion lightweight battery contributes to the athletic body mass index by shaving off another roughly four kilograms. In short, this car is light for a modern vehicle. That’s got to aid handling.
The 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine in the new 911 GT3 has been designed for current, significantly stricter exhaust standards and equipped with two particulate filters and no less than four catalytic converters. With this extremely powerful emission control system, Porsche also delivers a gripping soundscape. The engine power of the six-cylinder boxer engine was attained through a series of optimization measures. The cylinder heads have been revised, and the sharper camshafts of the 911 GT3 RS provide even more dynamic performance in the upper engine-speed range.
On the track, the new 911 GT3 is said to enable even better control because it holds even steadier and handles better on bumps and when driving over kerbs thanks to the optimised damper tuning. The anti-dive system noticeably reduces the pitching movement when braking. As a result, the balance of the car remains significantly more consistent under all conditions. As anyone who has driven the current version of the Porsche 911 GT3 will tell you, the handling and control is remarkable. We have to assume that this premium brand has improved on that too.
The Touring Package
With the model change, Porsche is defining the variants of the 911 GT3 even more clearly. For the first time, the popular ‘Touring’ package will be available right from the market launch. It is distinguished by the ‘911 GT3 Touring’ logo on the rear lid grille.
The 911 GT3 with ‘Touring’ package dispenses with the fixed wing and thus preserves the timelessly elegant line of the 911. An extendable rear spoiler with a tear-off edge, the famed Gurney flap, and an adapted fin design on the underbody provide aerodynamic balance. The interior offers high-quality leather and a classic sporty ambience.
For the first time, a rear seat system for the 911 GT3 with Touring package is available as an option. This allows the everyday sports car to be adapted even more individually to the wishes of the customer for maximum driving pleasure on winding country roads. Particularly on winding country roads, the driver can clearly feel that the steering which is even better tuned than its predecessor. It instils even greater confidence in the car because it responds more calmly from the centre position without losing any of its directness. Shorter gear ratios also significantly enhances driving pleasure on country roads.
MHH International & Porsche
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