By Otsile Kadiege

Porsche recently relaunched the 911 GT3 lineup. The track-ready road sports car makes its debut in its anniversary year with an expanded lightweight strategy, a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre boxer engine and new, highly customer-focused options including the Weissach package, available for the first time in the 911 GT3.

992.2 GT3 exterior design and styling updates

The updated Porsche 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 optimize 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 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.

Porsche uses specially developed, aerodynamically shaped trailing arms with a teardrop profile on the double-wishbone front axle. They increase downforce in the wheel arch at high speeds and improve brake cooling. To ensure that the downforce balance between the front and rear axles is maintained even when braking from high speeds, the suspension engineers have reduced pitching (anti-dive). On the new 911 GT3, the front ball joint of the lower trailing arm has been set lower on the front axle to facilitate this. The Porsche 911 GT3 has adopted these modifications from the current 911 GT3 RS. The 911 GT3 comes standard with 255/35 ZR 20 (front) and 315/30 ZR 21 (rear) sports tyres with improved wet grip; optionally, track tyres with road approval are available.

992.2 GT3 interior updates

Moving inside, the facelifted Porsche 911 GT3 features a new lightweight sports bucket seat with a folding backrest and a seat shell made of CFRP is available as an option. The seat is equipped with an integrated thorax airbag, electric height adjustment and manual longitudinal adjustment; a three-stage seat heater is 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 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. An optionally available roll-over bar demonstrates the proximity to motorsport. 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 is at the 12 o’clock marking.

992.2 GT3 performance

Underneath the hood is a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine which continues to deliver 375 kW and 450 Nm. The updated 911 GT3 has been designed for current, significantly stricter exhaust standards and equipped with two particulate filters and four catalytic converters. 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. In addition, flow-optimised individual throttle valves and optimised oil coolers are used. The boxer (510 PS). This means that each kilowatt of the revamped high-speed naturally aspirated engine only has to move 3.8 kilograms (2.8 kg/PS) in the lightest vehicle configuration.

In addition, both the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) and the 6-speed GT manual transmission have a final drive ratio that is eight percent shorter than in the predecessor. Both gearbox options are available for both the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 with Touring package. The new 911 GT3 accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in a claimed 3.4 seconds with PDK and reaches a top speed of 311 km/h (manual gearbox: 3.9 s; 313 km/h).

992.2 GT3 packages

Porsche offers various equipment packages for the new 911 GT3. With the Weissach package available for the first time, the 911 GT3 is even more individually configurable for use on circuits. The anti-roll bar, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP as are the roof, sideplates of the rear wing, exterior mirror top shell, mirror triangle and the airblades in the front area. Additional leather and Race-Tex upholstery enhance the look of the interior. For the first time, the upper side of the dashboard on the Porsche 911 GT3 is accordingly covered in anti-glare Racetex. CFRP door handles and storage nets optimise the interior door panels for a lightweight design. A CFRP roll cage and magnesium lightweight forged wheels are available as options.

For the 911 GT3 with Touring package, Porsche offers the Leichtbau package. Here, the roof painted in the exterior colour as well as the stabiliser, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle are made of CFRP. The lightweight magnesium forged wheels and the lightweight door panels are also part of the package. In conjunction with the standard 6-speed GT sports gearbox, the shortened gear lever from the 911 S/T is used. In front of the gear lever, a plaque with the inscription “Leichtbau” indicates the package.

For the 911 GT3 with rear wing, the Clubsport package for track use is available at no extra charge. It includes a bolted steel roll cage in the rear, a 6-point harness for the driver and a hand-held fire extinguisher. The optional lightweight sports bucket seats are a prerequisite for this.

Availability

According to Porsche South Africa, the updated GT3 range can be ordered by the end of 2024 and pricing is as follows:

Porsche 911 (992.2) GT3 – R4,709,000

Porsche 911 (992.2) GT3 Touring – R4,709,000