Driven

Faster, better…

PORSCHE 911 GT3

- Report by FERDI DE VOS

Following the 992 GT3 Cup’s unveiling in December last year, Porsche has now unleashed the seventh edition of its high-performanc­e 911 GT3, the fastest, most advanced version ever – tried and tested in endurance racing and developed in close collaborat­ion with Porsche Motorsport.

The GT3 transfers pure racing technology into a production model. The GT3’s acoustical­ly impressive, high-revving four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine – based on the drivetrain of the 911 GT3 R and used in the latest 911 GT3 Cup – delivers 375 kW at 8,400 rpm and 470 Nm of torque at 6,150 rpm, with a redline of 8,750 rpm.

It also uses a double-wishbone front axle layout and sophistica­ted aerodynami­cs with a swan neck rear wing and a striking diffuser, originatin­g from the GT race car 911 RSR. The result? A state-of-theart sports car, perfect for the track and suitable for everyday use.

With Porsche Doppelkupp­lung (PDK) transmissi­on, the new GT3 is even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS – with a top speed of 318 km/h. Plus, it accelerate­s from standstill to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.4 seconds. And for purists, the good news is that the new model is also offered with a sixspeed manual transmissi­on.

Despite a wider body, larger wheels, and additional technical features, the mass of the new GT3 is on a par with its predecesso­r. The manual gearbox model weighs in at 1,418 kg, while the PDK version is slightly heavier at 1,435 kg (compared to the largely aluminium-bodied GT3 Cup race car weighing around 1,260 kg).

Other lightweigh­t components include the carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) front bonnet, light glass windows, light-alloy wheels and a sports exhaust system which reduces the weight by a full 10 kg. According to Zuffenhaus­en, the combined consumptio­n of the 911 GT3 with PDK transmissi­on is 12.4 l/100 km.

TRACKING SUCCESS

Inside, the cockpit has a new track screen which can reduce the digital displays on either side of the rev counter to just the essential informatio­n needed for track driving, such as tyre and oil pressure, fuel level and water temperatur­e. It also includes a visual shift assistant and motorsport-derived shift light.

In Performanc­e drive mode, the manually set wing and diffuser elements increase the aerodynami­c pressure for high cornering speeds. During final

testing before it was released, the new GT3 lapped the Nürburgrin­g Nordschlei­fe over 17 seconds quicker than its predecesso­r, with developmen­t driver Lars Kern achieving a sub-7 minute time (6:59.927) for a full 20.8 km lap.

Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur also offers a wide range of customised equipment for the new GT3, including a lightweigh­t roof with exposed carbon fibre, exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights. Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels.

As exclusive as the GT3 itself is, is the individual timepiece Porsche Design offers exclusivel­y to customers of the high-performanc­e car. Its housing is made of robust, lightweigh­t titanium, reflecting its motorsport genes, while the individual winding rotor is reminiscen­t of the wheels of the GT3, and the coloured dial ring can be customised in the exterior paint of the owner’s car.

The new 911 GT3 can now be ordered from your nearest Porsche Centre.

 ?? | Images © PORSCHE AG ??
| Images © PORSCHE AG
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