If turbochargers, hybrid programs, electrical automobiles, self-driving, and downsizing engines are what’s in, then what’s the new Porsche 911 GT3 doing with none of that stuff? The reply is: It is successful fanatic hearts.
Within the 911 lineup, the GT3 is the mannequin that gives a direct hyperlink to racing. Whereas the Carrera and Carrera S have turbochargers and, in fact, the Turbo has turbochargers, the GT3 persists with a high-revving naturally aspirated engine. It is a automobile {that a} small group of engineers in Weissach has preserved with meticulous updates.
We met with GT3 chief engineer Andreas Preuninger to journey alongside in a improvement prototype of the upcoming GT3. The automobile we rode in wore camouflage (as you possibly can see in a few of the photographs), however a couple of weeks after our journey Porsche took off the wraps and unveiled the automobile. The design is aggressive and helps the GT3 stand other than the extra daily-friendly 911s. Notice that the rear wing is mounted on the high, as we have seen on the McLaren Senna and quite a few race automobiles. Hanging the wing from above supplies an aerodynamic benefit over one mounted on the underside with standard pylons.
It is time to step inside. The seats are nice, grippy, clad in microfiber, with no wiggle room however not uncomfortably tight both. The common 911’s foolish automated shifter is gone. It has been changed by a gear selector that lets you choose gears like an actual sequential gearbox: Push to downshift, pull to upshift.
Porsche seems to have listened to GT3 clients who voiced a choice for console shifters over steering-wheel paddles. Whereas Preuninger prefers the console shifter, the GT3 retains its wheel paddles, too. For the true purists, the GT3 will nonetheless be out there with a six-speed handbook. Together with a short-throw shifter, the handbook has a rev-match operate that may be turned on or off independently of every other mode, but it surely’s extra enjoyable to blip the throttle on heel-and-toe downshifts with out the digital assist, proper?
The digital instrument shows are modified within the GT3, too. Within the common 992, the outermost gauges are obscured by the fats rim of the steering wheel. Within the GT3, to make the knowledge simpler to learn, there’s a GT setting that strikes probably the most related data nearer to the center-mounted tachometer.
Porsche is not able to disclose all the small print on the engine. We’re certain no present GT3 proprietor shall be dissatisfied, however perhaps they will be devastated. Within the new GT3, the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six builds upon the 991 Speedster engine’s six particular person throttle our bodies, giving the engine crisp, on the spot, and aggressive response to pedal instructions. Energy supply is forceful and superbly clean as much as the lofty 9000-rpm redline. We anticipate greater than 500 horsepower, and the engine sound is jubilant and clear.
Its multilink entrance suspension is derived from the RSR race automobile. From the passenger seat, it seems that the brand new GT3 turns in sharply and physique management is phenomenal. The brakes seem observe prepared. Iron brake rotors are normal, barely bigger ceramic brakes are non-compulsory. This era ditches the dynamic engine mounts. Standard mounts received out and are lighter than the electronically managed ones. Talking of weight, the hood and engine cowl are fabricated from carbon fiber and the rear home windows—a minimum of in Europe—have thinner glass.
Past the common GT3, Porsche will provide a Touring mannequin once more, impressed by the enduring 911 R, devoid of the large wing however with the identical mechanical bits. This time round Porsche will let Touring patrons have an automated transmission, the model’s excellent PDK. Beforehand, the Touring got here solely with the six-speed handbook. And we anticipate a harder-core RS mannequin down the street as nicely.
Preuninger’s staff has produced a automobile that bucks the most recent traits. And on the identical time, they’ve created a purer, extra aggressive, and charming GT3. We will not wait to drive it for ourselves.
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