2024-10-16 15:50:00
For 25 years, each Porsche 911 GT3 has represented the essence of the brand. Four generations of this uncompromising sports car form part of the 911 success story, offering impressive performance both on the road and on the track. “In the 911 GT3, lightweight construction is combined with exceptional driving dynamics and unmistakable design,” says Andreas Preuninger, Director of GT Models. “Both the racing and road versions carry Porsche DNA and reflect the company’s experience in racing. “A small part of every victory on circuits around the world is contained in every GT3.”
At Porsche, it is tradition that production models are built on the basis of elements that have proven their reliability in the most demanding racing conditions. In this sense, the GT3 bears the seal of Porsche’s competition department like no other 911. For 25 years, the road-legal sports car has surpassed itself in each new edition, becoming an even faster, more precise and dynamic. And, of course, the racing versions of the 911 GT3 have also achieved great success.
Numerous overall and class victories in such important endurance events as the Nürburgring, Spa or Daytona appear in the history books. “The GT3 is at home on the track, but at the same time it is a high-performance sports car suitable for everyday use,” says Roland Kussmaul. For four decades, the Ludwigsburg-born man worked as a racing engineer and test driver at Porsche AG.
The evolution of a racing icon
In March 1999, Porsche presented the 996-generation 911 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show. A few months later, it was launched on the market following in the footsteps of the iconic Carrera RS models. Under the hood of the first GT3 was a 3.6-liter engine, an evolution of the naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer of the 911 GT1, which in this case delivered a power of 360 HP (265 kW). Two-time world rally champion Walter Röhrl drove the sports car on the 20.8 kilometer long Nordschleife of the Nürburgring, reaching a maximum speed of 302 km/h and setting a lap time of less than 8 minutes. That was the first time that a car approved for the road achieved that milestone.
To be exact, 7:56.3 minutes of glorious high-rev sound. The engine of the first GT3 gave its maximum power at 7,200 rpm and reached the red zone at 7,800 rpm. “It is Porsche’s most exciting road vehicle at the moment,” commented Röhrl after managing to lower that magical figure. “The precision of its chassis allows it to tackle all types of curves at high speed. It is only possible to find a similar set-up in the world of competition.”
Every three or four years, Porsche presents a new evolution of this internationally recognized sports model. All of them inherit the best innovations of the competition. The first update of the 911 GT3 appeared in 2003 and brought with it a power increase of 21 hp (15 kW). It was based on the principle of offering more horsepower and more torque with the same displacement and the same fuel consumption.
Three years later, the global community of followers of the most purist 911 celebrated the increase in performance of the boxer, which now reached 415 HP (305 kW) and raised its maximum speed to 8,400 rpm. In addition to the high-revving concept, Porsche optimized the intake system on the 997 generation GT3 to improve performance. Another novelty was the incorporation of the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) active suspension system.
In the next update of the 911 GT3, in 2009, engineers raised the engine displacement to 3.8 liters and the power to 435 hp (320 kW). To achieve an even more intense driving experience, some chassis components and aerodynamics were also improved. In this regard, the rear spoiler was redesigned and the underbody was completely covered. This increased downforce very effectively, doubling it compared to its predecessor.
Third generation on the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911
The third generation of the 911 GT3 made its appearance at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. Porsche presented a complete facelift of the GT3 to mark the 50th anniversary of the 911. In this model, the engine, gearbox, body and chassis were new. The 3.8-liter boxer delivered a power of 475 HP (350 kW) and allowed a maximum speed of 315 km/h.
The introduction of the Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) in the GT3 represented a revolution that made transitions between gears faster and improved performance. The chassis with active rear axle steering and other aerodynamic improvements made this GT3 one of the most agile and precise 911s of all time. This was demonstrated after posting a lap time on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife of less than 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
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