Although the Porsche stable plays host to a plethora of desirable 911 models, there is one that petrolheads truly lust after; the 911 GT3. The Turbo variants may be faster in a straight line but for undiluted driving thrills few cars come close to the naturally aspirated, high-revving, race-bred nature of the GT3.
Since the 911 (991) was revealed last year the die-hards have been salivating over the announcement of the GT3’s release. On the same year that the iconic sportscar turns 50, Porsche has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to unveil the hardcore model.
As with all previous GT3 models the engine is the highlight of the new car. For the first time the GT3 uses direct-injection technology, based as it is on the same 3,8-litre mill employed in the 911 Carrera S models. Titanium conrods and forged pistons have been utilised to allow the flat-six motor to rev to 9 000 r/min. The valvetrain has also been upgraded to deal with the stratospheric engine speeds. Maximum power is rated as 354 kW at 8 250 r/min.
Porsche claims that the new car will bolt to 100 km/h from standstill in a scant 3,5 seconds and will crack the 200 km/h mark in under 12 seconds. Flat out it will do 315 km/h. If such things matter to you, the new GT3’s Nürburgring (Nordschleife) lap time is under 7 min 30 sec.
Drive is channelled to the rear wheels via Porsche’s twin clutch (PDK) transmission. This seems to be the only option for now, which is likely to upset the real drivers that are keen to buy such a car. A fully variable rear differential lock is used to ensure optimum traction. 20-inch forged alloy wheels with centre locking nuts are the final link in the chain.
The 911 GT3 is based on the current generation 911 Carrera in hybrid steel-aluminium construction; however, it comes with independent front and rear parts. In addition, the 911 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S in the area of the rear axle. A fixed rear wing further helps differentiate this most powerful 911 (991) from lesser siblings.
