New Porsche 911 GT3 (992): mission accomplished

Mission accomplished. After covering more than half a million kilometres during an intensive development programme, under the close scrutiny of Porsche Motorsport - the German brand’s competition division - the new Porsche 911 GT3 (992) is finally ready.

There is certainly plenty to celebrate. It retains the GT3’s defining traits throughout its history: a naturally aspirated engine, manual gearbox and… you know the rest.

Not a ‘normal’ Porsche 911

In this seventh generation, the Porsche 911 GT3 draws on Porsche’s motorsport expertise more than ever before. We spoke with Andreas Preuninger, head of development for Porsche’s GT family, who has no hesitation in calling it the “most sensory Porsche 911 ever”.

This heightened feedback through every control is partly the result of a comprehensive redesign of several components. For the first time, it features double-wishbone front suspension, a ‘swan-neck’ rear wing and a diffuser derived from the 911 RSR.

Naturally aspirated Porsche 911 GT3? Of course.

According to Andreas Preuninger, keeping the new Porsche 911 GT3 entirely naturally aspirated was “one of the biggest engineering challenges our team has faced. Emissions and noise regulations are becoming ever more restrictive, but we have managed to meet them without compromising the driving enjoyment that everyone associates with the 911 GT3”.

This generation uses a 4.0-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine producing 375 kW (510 hp), based on the powertrain from the endurance-race-tested 911 GT3 R. It is precisely the same engine used in the new 911 GT3 Cup.

In performance terms, the new 911 GT3 reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (318 km/h with PDK), making it even faster than the 991-generation 911 GT3 RS. It completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds.

A manual gearbox for purists

Alongside the familiar PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission, Porsche also offers the new model with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Andreas Preuninger acknowledges that the manual option is aimed exclusively at driving purists. That is why Porsche did not even choose the seven-speed manual gearbox fitted to other 911 models: “it would add weight and I don’t think anyone is interested in a GT3 with an ‘overdrive’ gear”.

Under 7 min at the ‘Green Hell’

At the Nürburgring Nordschleife, traditionally the benchmark for every Porsche sports car, the new Porsche 911 GT3 set an impressive record. During the final tuning work, the 911 GT3 became the first series-production model with a naturally aspirated engine to break the seven-minute barrier.

Development driver Lars Kern needed just 6min59.927s to complete a full 20.8 km lap. On the shorter 20.6 km configuration, previously used as the benchmark, the 911 GT3 recorded 6min55.2s.

For Porsche ambassador Jörg Bergmeister, it is “by far the best production car” the experienced professional driver has ever driven around the “Green Hell”.

Weight kept in check. A strict diet

Without any form of electric assistance, the Porsche 911 GT3 continues without the help of electric motors or batteries. Despite its wider bodywork, broader wheels and additional technical elements, the new GT3’s weight matches that of its predecessor.

With the manual gearbox, it weighs 1418 kilograms; with the PDK gearbox, it weighs 1435 kilograms.

The carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) front bonnet, lighter glass, optimised brake discs and forged wheels all help maintain weight discipline, as does the cover for the rear-seat storage compartment.

The lighter sports exhaust system cuts no fewer than ten kilograms. Featuring electrically adjustable exhaust valves, it combines a highly emotional soundtrack with compliance with the Euro 6d ISC FCM (EU6 AP) emissions standard. Combined fuel consumption for the 911 GT3 is 12.9 l/100 km (PDK 13.0 l/100 km).

An interior designed for track days

The cabin follows the current generation of the model. One new feature is the Track Screen: at the press of a button, it reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central rev counter - which reaches 10,000 rpm - to information such as tyre pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and coolant temperature.

In other words, it presents all the information that matters during a track day. It also includes a gear-change indicator, with coloured bars on either side of the rev counter, plus a motorsport-derived shift light.

Particularly with Porsche GT models, customers are increasingly choosing personalised equipment. For this reason, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range is also available for the new 911 GT3, complemented by GT3-specific options such as an exposed-carbon roof.

Other highlights include carbon door-mirror caps, darkened LED Matrix headlights and Exclusive Design rear lights with a light strip containing no red elements. Wheel rims painted in Indian Red or Shark Blue accentuate the black-painted wheels. Inside, equipment details including the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch dials, seat belts and trim pieces provide stylish highlights in the body colour or another chosen shade.

A success story

The first 911 GT3 arrived in 1999. Based on the 996 generation, it produced 265 kW (360 hp) from its 3.6-litre engine.

With Walter Röhrl at the wheel, it became the first road-going sports car to lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under eight minutes. The second GT3 generation followed in 2006. Based on the 997-generation 911, it was introduced with 305 kW (415 hp).

Its successor arrived in 2013, initially launched with a 3.8-litre engine and 350 kW (475 hp). Two years later, capacity increased to 4.0 litres and output rose to 368 kW (500 hp).

New Porsche 911 GT3 price in Portugal

Porsche offers the 911 GT3 from €221,811 (manual) and €222,072 (PDK), including the taxes applicable at the date of this announcement. Deliveries are expected to begin in May 2021.

Could this be the final Porsche 911 GT3 in history?