A quarter of a century after showing the first 996 version - and with six delivered since then - Porsche has revealed the latest 992.2 GT3 to the world. The standard model and a Touring are being launched together for the first time, both boasting an ‘expanded lightweight strategy’ and ‘even more custom configuration options’, alongside the familiar 9,000rpm flat-six.
While the 510hp 4.0-litre isn’t any more powerful, it does get the racier cams from the RS for ‘even more dynamic performance in the upper engine-speed range’. Hardly like a GT3 ever laboured to its redline, either, so that’s an exciting change. You’ll be encouraged to get right up there, too, with an eight per cent shorter final drive for both six-speed manual and seven-speed PDK. Moreover, despite the presence of two particulate filters and four cats because of regs, ‘a gripping soundscape’ is promised. Top speed remains in excess of 190mph, with 0-62mph taking less than four seconds for both transmissions.
There’s additional RS influence for the chassis as well, with aero-optimised front trailing arms that benefit brake cooling and increase downforce in the wheelarch. Pitch under braking is said to have been reduced (Jorg Bergmeister says so and everything) thanks to the front ball joint of those new arms being set lower. The dampers have had another little fettle. The tyres are said to be grippier in the wet now, which will be great news for those planning to track their GT3 in all weathers. An as-yet-unnamed track tyre will also be available for the very keen, and a new lithium-ion battery saves four more precious kilos.
While design should be some way down the list of priorities for GT3 buyers (insert your gag here about them all looking the same anyway), Porsche is keen to point out the fresh look for the Matrix LEDs, new spoiler sideplates and ‘re-contoured’ front diffuser for this generation. Downforce and air flow is said to have been further improved with underbody changes. Likely to draw the most attention is the new wheel design, reducing unsprung mass. There’s also a magnesium rim option, but that’s only available with certain packages, so it’s probably a good time to talk about how it’s going to be easier than ever to spend way over RRP (of £157k) on a GT3.
Weissach is the big news, as that package was previously only available on RS Porsches. For £19,530 with a cage or £15,597 without - and only on spoilered cars - the Weissach package brings CRFP parts underneath (rear axle shear panel, coupling rods, anti-roll bar) and for the body (roof, spoiler sideplates, mirror caps) as well as additional Racetex inside. And more carbon. Only with the Weissach kit can GT3 buyers get the mag wheels as an option (for £13,760), and even go as far as a carbon cage if desired. Heaven knows what that’ll cost.
For those with a Touring that don’t want to miss out, the wheels are included with the Leichtbau package. Costing - there’s no real way to lessen the blow here - £29,225, buyers get the fancy rims, a carbon roof, the same carbon bits underneath as a Weissach, the S/T’s gearlever and a ‘Leichtbau’ plaque. Expect lots of early Tourings to be Leichtbau’d, though it’s hard not to think how that £30k might be better spent.
You could have a ‘sports car for the wrist’, for starters (or hopefully so), the new Porsche Design timepiece with its COSC-certified WERK 01.200 movement and titanium case; or rear seats in a Touring for the first time (officially at least); or carbon-shelled, heated bucket seats, with removable padding to make wearing a helmet comfier. Talk about having the best of both worlds. There are a couple of great little nerdy, standard details included inside as well: the digital dash can be configured to have 9,000rpm at 12 o’clock, like the GT3 is an old race car, and unlike the Carreras this still starts on a rotary ignition switch rather than a button. That feels like the influence of GT boss man Andreas Preuninger (remember he got proper doorhandles included as part of the S/T upgrades).
The man himself noted: “The new 911 GT3 has become even more exhilarating and individual. We dug into a wealth of details and gave it many features that our customers wanted. This allows the GT3 to be adapted even more specifically to the purpose or preferences of the driver.” More than ever there’s going to be bandwidth in the range; a four-seat, PDK Touring is surely going to give off a very different aura to a six-speed, Weissach Packed GT3 with the magnesium wheels and track tyres. We look forward to finding out how different in due course. For those lucky enough to be deciding in real life, UK orders officially open ‘from the end of the year’, with £157,300 being asked for both. Best of luck securing an allocation - it’s probably going to be quite good.
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