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• Porsche unveiled its new GT3 this week.
• It is powered by a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine.
• Porsche quotes power outputs of 375kW and 470Nm.
In a flash, Porsche ignited the 'carverse' this week with its new GT3 model. The recipe remains: naturally-aspirated six-cylinder Boxer engine located at the rear, the option of a six-speed manual gearbox and power sent to the rear-axle only.
As a petrolhead, the GT3 is a member of the club of cars that translates racing technology into a road car. Its focus is on driver enjoyment at the highest degree.
The seventh generation model's double wishbone front axle layout and sophisticated aerodynamics with swan neck rear wing and diffuser originate from Porsche's GT race 911 RSR car.
The engine, a free-breathing four-litre, six-cylinder in a Boxer configuration has been tried and tested in the brand's endurance racing endeavours. Porsche's 911 GT3 Cup racing cars use pretty much the same engine in the road-going model. In other words, the latest GT3 is a racing car with numberplates.
The GT3 is more than just a 'numbers' car. Even so, those digits are worldly. It has a top speed of 320km/h, making it even even faster than the previous 911 GT3 RS.
The 0-100km/h sprint time is dispatched in a mere 3.4 seconds. Its able to generate a high top speed and cut through the air rapidly due to aerodynamics borrowed from Porsche's Motorsport division.
The knowledge gained from the brand's GT3 racing series allows the GT3 to sport sophisticated aerodynamics and generate significantly more downforce without noticeably affecting the drag coefficient.
When the car's in its performance position, the driver can manually configure the huge wing and diffuser to create more aerodynamic pressure for high cornering speeds.
Feeling in control
Many might bemoan the slow death of the manual gearbox in performance cars, but manufacturers are merely reacting to market needs. The GT3 is available with a PDK, but Porsche knows a portion of its customers for this car are true enthusiasts who need to change their own gears.
Imagine revving the Cup car's derived engine all the way to 9000 r/min and hanging onto the steering wheel with one hand. My palms are sweating. Thankfully that's what driving gloves are for.
Therefore, the GT3 is offered with a a six-speed manual transmission for a particularly puristic driving experience, says Porsche. I for one, would want to experience the GT3 with a manual 'box, but would more likely enjoy the ownership experience of one fitted with a PDK unit.
Yes, Porsche has maintained the recipe of its GT3 models. But the new model lapped the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife 17 seconds quicker than its predecessor. Progression, albeit in the slightest form is still progression.
I hope you enjoyed the video at the top of the story watching the GT3 on track. After all, that's where it was born.
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