With regards to street-legal race vehicles, they don’t come a lot finer – or common – than the Porsche 911 GT3.
We got here away from our first drive of the upgraded, 992.2-series model of the hardcore, rear-wheel drive, big-bore naturally aspirated boxer-powered coupe at Sydney Motorsport Park mightily impressed not too long ago, as you may learn right here.
After we drove the all-new 992 model a number of years in the past, we known as it the proper observe automobile and puzzled how Porsche might enhance it in future, however now it has. Right here’s how.
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1. Two GT3s from day one
For the primary time ever, Australian patrons can select between the usual GT3, and the GT3 with Touring Bundle from launch.
Porsche has streamlined international manufacturing in order that each fashions now arrive concurrently, eliminating the same old six-month (or extra) delay for the Touring.
Mechanically, they’re just about an identical – identical 4.0-litre flat-six, identical double-wishbone front-end, identical rear-wheel steering – however, philosophically, they’re worlds aside.
The winged GT3 stays the uncooked, track-honed purist’s software. The Touring? It’s the identical automobile in a tuxedo: stealthier, extra delicate, however no much less critical beneath.
Each share the identical drivetrain and aero structure, and each are priced at $449,100 earlier than on-road prices.
2. The final naturally aspirated boxer six
The 992.2 GT3 continues with Porsche’s 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six – a by-product of the 911 GT3 Cup race engine, hand-built on the Weissach GT line.
Outputs are rated at 375kW and 450 Nm, with peak energy delivered at a spine-tingling 9000rpm.
That slight torque drop versus the 992.1 (down from 470Nm) comes courtesy of revised exhaust routing and stricter emissions discount, which now sees two particulate petrol filters and 4 catalytic converters, however Porsche has offset it with improved throttle mapping and better mid-range responsiveness.
The 992.2 GT3 retains particular person throttle our bodies (however they’ve been optimised for higher move to ship razor-sharp pedal response), dry-sump lubrication (with a scavenge-stage oil pump for every cylinder financial institution), and a plasma-coated cylinder liner for decreased friction.
The newest GT3 additionally makes use of camshafts borrowed from the GT3 RS, which helps the engine keep comparable peak energy regardless of considerably extra stringent emissions {hardware}.
However, the consumption word is pure GT3 theatre – that hard-edged metallic howl that solely a naturally aspirated Porsche can ship.
3. Guide or PDK – identical worth, sharper response
Australia will get each gearbox choices: the six-speed handbook and seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automated, every calibrated particularly for the GT3’s high-revving character.
For 992.2, Porsche shortened the ultimate drive ratio by eight per cent. The outcome? Crisper in-gear acceleration and stronger response out of medium-speed corners – significantly noticeable from 60 to 160km/h.
The handbook stays a mechanical masterpiece – brief, direct throws with the form of weighting that feels engineered to the gram.
The PDK, in the meantime, has been additional honed with quicker shift logic in Monitor mode, aided by torque-fill refinement for smoother part-throttle transitions.
Each ship the identical visceral connection and, crucially, they price the identical – Porsche rewarding purists for sticking with three pedals.
4. GT3 Touring with rear seats – A world-first
That is the primary GT3 in historical past that may be ordered with non-compulsory rear seats.
Solely out there for the GT3 with Touring Bundle, this non-compulsory rear-seat system transforms what was as soon as a strict two-seater right into a genuinely dual-purpose sports activities automobile.
The seats themselves are trimmed to match the remainder of the cabin, and stay fixed-back to keep up security compliance and rigidity.
It’s a delicate however vital change – Porsche’s acknowledgment that some GT3 homeowners truly need to use these vehicles each day.
It makes the Touring not only a observe automobile with manners, however a real grand tourer with race-car DNA.
5. Weissach Bundle now provided with the GT3 for the primary time
Lengthy reserved for Porsche’s final RS vehicles, the Weissach Bundle is now out there on the 911 GT3 for the primary time.
For an additional $47,530, it brings useful motorsport-grade supplies and weight financial savings all through.
The anti-roll bar, coupling rods and shear panel on the rear axle are manufactured from carbon-fibre, as are the roof, aspect plates of the rear wing, exterior mirror prime shell, mirror triangle, and the air blades within the entrance space.
As well as, there’s further leather-based and suede-like upholstery. For the primary time, the higher aspect of the dashboard is roofed in anti-glare Race-Tex.
There’s additionally carbon-fibre door handles and storage nets on the door playing cards, whereas a carbon-fibre roll cage and magnesium light-weight solid wheels are non-compulsory.
It’s not simply aesthetic – each element serves a dynamic objective, enhancing responsiveness, stiffness, and the unmistakable Weissach visible drama.
6. Light-weight (Leichtbau) Bundle
Within the Light-weight bundle ($71,120 and solely along side Touring bundle), the roof is painted within the exterior color, and the stabiliser bars, coupling rods, and shear panel on the rear axle are carbon-fibre.
Light-weight magnesium wheels and light-weight door panels are additionally a part of the bundle.
Together with the usual six-speed handbook, the shortened gear lever from the 911 S/T is added.
In entrance of the gear lever, a plaque is connected with the inscription ‘Leichtbau’, which signifies the bundle.
7. Aero and chassis refinements
Whereas output stays fixed, downforce and stability take a leap ahead.
The 992.2 GT3 advantages from a re-profiled entrance splitter and new diffuser geometry, bettering front-end stability at excessive velocity.
Prolonged underbody fins produce smoother airflow and improved rear diffuser effectivity, whereas revised rear-wing endplates and angle-of-attack generate roughly 10 per cent extra downforce and equal drag.
Chassis geometry has additionally advanced: Porsche’s GT division lowered the entrance decrease control-arm pivot level, lowering pitch sensitivity and bettering steering precision mid-corner.
Collectively, these tweaks yield a extra planted entrance axle and cleaner cornering transitions – instantly noticeable in quick sweepers at Sydney Motorsport Park.8. Weight discount at each nook of the automobile
Even minor particulars have been re-engineered to ship lighter, quicker response.
Solid aluminium centre-lock wheels are 1.5kg lighter in complete, a 40Ah lithium-ion starter battery saves 4kg versus the earlier AGM unit, and a composite engine cowl and revised exhaust shielding trim extra mass from the rear.
Mixed with the Weissach and Light-weight choices, the kerb weight now spans 1420-1435kg – outstanding given the automobile’s security methods, aero {hardware}, and twin transmission availability.
9. New all-digital cockpit, nonetheless constructed across the driver
The 911’s iconic analogue central tachometer is gone, changed by a 12.6-inch totally digital instrument cluster.
In Monitor View, it morphs right into a motorsport-inspired format – central rev bar, digital gear indicator, and cornering knowledge solely, eliminating distractions.
Regardless of the digital transition, every thing stays tactile: there are actual steel shift paddles, stable rotary controls, and the haptic readability that defines Porsche’s cabin execution.
10. Calibrated for Australian roads and tracks
All Australian-delivered GT3s embody a front-axle carry system, reversing digital camera with ParkAssist, the Gentle Design Bundle, and DAB+ digital radio.
Crucially, the PASM adaptive damping and EPAS steering calibrations are tuned particularly for right-hand drive markets. Porsche engineers accounted for Australia’s extra aggressive highway cambers and coarser surfaces, giving barely softer preliminary bump response with out compromising high-speed management.
The result’s a GT3 that feels totally steady over the extra aggressive kerbs at SMP, making it really feel extra planted than any GT3 earlier than it.
Verdict: Probably the most full GT3 ever provided in Australia
The 992.2 GT3 marks the technical zenith of Porsche’s GT division for highway vehicles.
It’s lighter, stiffer, and aerodynamically cleaner than earlier than – however now additionally extra adaptable to real-world life.
For the primary time, you may configure your GT3 round you: Winged or Touring, handbook or PDK, Weissach or Light-weight (or each), and rear seats or none.
It’s probably the most numerous GT3 lineup ever out there in Australia – and fairly presumably the final actually analogue, naturally aspirated 911 we’ll ever see.
It’s 9000rpm of rear-drive purity, constructed for drivers – and with our roads in thoughts.
