What began as a pure bred homologation special that enabled Porsche to first go racing with the 996 911 GT3, has now presently evolved into a still sharply engaging yet even more versatile modern sports car as we witnessed with the 992.2 generation’s unveiling right at the PETRONAS Sepang International Circuit itself. None other than Porsche Brand Ambassador Jörg Bergmeister was also on hand to guide us through its new nuances, subtle as they may be (his name is pronounced ‘Yerk’ by the way, so don’t get it wrong as the Americans reportedly have at times), along with Porsche Asia Pacific Marketing Director Yannick Ott.
Its naturally aspirated 4.0-litre boxer-6 engine still generates the same 510 PS & 450 Nm outputs as its 992.1 predecessor, yet a host of detailed refinements help it deliver an even more engaging drive. There are revised cylinder heads, flow-optimized individual throttle bodies and improved oil coolers, while sharper camshafts adopted from the 911 GT3 RS provide even more dynamic throttle response at high revs. Further enhancing this, the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) & 6-speed GT manual transmission available for both GT3 variants are both given an 8% shorter final drive ratio, allowing them to rev even quicker than ever before.
Even more significant than the raw numbers (0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds & 311 km/h all-out with the PDK, rest to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 313 km/h with the manual, in case you’re wondering), is the fact that Jörg himself drove the manual equipped 911 GT3 Weissach to a blistering 6:56.294 Nürburgring-Nordschleife lap record earlier this April, becoming the first manual equipped production car to break the 7-minute barrier while beating its PDK predecessor by 3.633 seconds. It’s certainly not lacking for track pace then, even if you’d prefer the joy of rowing your own gears.
One could be forgiven for thinking that the new 911 GT3 looks a whole lot like the outgoing model, and indeed you’d have to look closely to spot its differences as refined evolution has generally always been the name of the Neunelfer game. Redesigned Matrix LED headlights integrate all lighting functions of the 911 and negate the need for additional front apron lights, making for a larger frontal air inlet area and more clearly structured look. The sharper overall design features adapted aerodynamics too: a re-contoured front diffuser, refined spoiler lip & modified underbody fins optimize airflow for greater downforce. Round the back, the rear lid, air intakes and rear diffuser have been redesigned to match, while the GT3’s rear wing even boasts newly angled sideplates.
The parts which most people won’t see without looking underneath their GT3 on a hoist, are the new aerodynamically shaped trailing arms on the double-wishbone front axle, with a teardrop profile especially developed to increase wheel-arch downforce & enhance brake cooling at speed. Equally, to maintain an ideal downforce balance between both axles when braking from higher speeds – into Sepang’s turn 1, for instance – Porsche’s engineers have reduced pitching by setting the lower trailing arm’s front ball joint lower on the front axle to induce an anti-dive geometry. Adapted from the current 911 GT3 RS, these measures reduce a car’s tendency to nose-dive & lift its tail during hard deceleration moments, improving both stability and driver confidence.
Jörg said, “On the track, the new 911 GT3 enables 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.”
911 GT3 owners who intend to use their cars more on the road can now specify the popular Touring package right from launch day. With a heritage going right back to the iconic 1973 911 Carrera RS 2.7’s “Touring Package”, it’s now been part of the GT3 programme since 2017; dispensing with the fixed rear wing to maintain the 911’s timelessly elegant rear body lines. Instead, an extendable rear spoiler with Gurney flap & reprofiled underbody fins provide aerodynamic balance. Now for the first time, 911 GT3 Touring buyers even have the option of specifying the inclusion of rear seats too; a brilliant way to get the family’s kids in on the GT3 magic right from that young, impression-forming age.
Weight reduction is no stranger to Porsche when it comes to their GT 911s, and here they’ve gone all-in once more with a new, silver lightweight aluminium wheel that cuts over 1.5 kg of unsprung mass over the outgoing model. Optional magnesium wheels available as part of the Weissach or Leichtbau packages do even better by shaving nine kilograms each, while the new 40 Ah lithium-ion lightweight battery saves roughly another four kilograms. Total weight of the new 911 GT3 is only 1,420 kilograms in its lightest configuration.
That’s not all: there is also now the option of a new lightweight sports bucket seat with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) shell & folding backrest; engaged by an integrated loop, this enables easier access to the GT3 Touring’s optional rear seats. Part of its headrest padding can even be removed, improving ergonomics for most drivers when wearing a helmet for on-track driving.
Going into the finer details, the 911 GT3’s Weissach package gains it an anti-roll bar, coupling rods and rear axle shear panel made of CFRP; as are its front air blades, roof, external mirror top shells, and rear wing side plates. Its interior’s lightweight design is enhanced with an anti-glare Racetex covered dashboard upper, CFRP door handles & storage nets, while a CFRP roll cage and those gorgeous magnesium lightweight forged wheels are available as further options.
Not forgetting the 911 GT3 Touring, it also gets the lightweight door panels & magnesium wheels as part of a new Leichtbau or Lightweight Package which includes the exterior colour-matched roof , stabilizer, coupling rods and rear axle shear panel in CFRP. Leichtbau cars specified with the standard 6-speed manual GT sports gearbox will even get the 911 S/T’s shortened gear lever; this is truly the 911 GT3 you can have almost any way you want it, with prices starting from RM 2,290,000.
