Porsche brought a new 911 GT3 to the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, and although it’s clothed in a familiar shape and isn’t as big a departure as something like, say, the Panamera Sport Turismo, the track-honed rear-engine sports car is still a headliner.
Sticking with the exterior for a moment, the car now gains some subtle styling updates from the most recent 911 facelift (991.2) such as new headlights with four-point LED daytime running lights, and new tail lamps, but under the skin is where the real changes are.
For the first time in this generation of 911, the GT3 can now be specified with an old-school 6-speed manual transmission, and in fact is the same box used in the highly praised limited edition 911 R. Of course, the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch is still the standard fit.
Regardless of which shifter option is chosen, it will be mated to a new engine that grows the outgoing car’s 3.8-litre capacity to a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six. Like the pre-facelift GT3 RS, this newer GT3 inherits the 373kW output - though this time it’s achieved at a screaming 9,000rpm redline - and peak torque of 460Nm at 6,000rpm.
The chassis setup has some calibration changes and component refinements but is largely unaltered, also keeping its dynamic engine mounts, standard locking rear differential, and revelatory active rear steering system.
As far as how the extra performance manifests, the new 911 GT3 can sprint to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds provided the car is fitted with the quick-shifting, albeit heavier, PDK transmission. The manual version, though lighter by 17kg, just can’t keep pace with the insane rate of fire of the dual-clutch even with a master driver at the helm, and takes 3.9 seconds to reach the century mark.
Though not as relevant, the manual’s gearing actually means it reaches an ever so slightly higher top speed of 319km/h over the PDK’s 318km/h, though trying a top speed run on a full stomach will probably nullify that minuscule advantage.
Owners of the current GT3 probably won’t experience too much envy from the newer car’s interior, though, as the newness is relegated to a new three-spoke steering wheel and an updated Porsche Communication Management infotainment system.
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