Porsche’s road-going track weapon is not for the faint of heart
The 911 GT3 blends the handling finesse of Porsche’s most track-focused RS model with a more road-going presence and performance. Debuted in February 2021, the first 911 GT car from the 992 generation has been improved aesthetically and technically. The iconic, naturally-aspirated flat-six still powers it, and oh boy, the exhaust sounds can stir the soul of anyone when the engine revs to its 9,000 rpm redline. And this video from AutoTopNL proves that the GT3 is also a speed devil if let loose on the German Autobahn.
The Autobahn Is The Perfect Place To Unleash A Porsche 911 GT3
As you know, certain sections of the Autobahn have zero speed limits, and it is the best place to test a car’s top speed. This manual-gearbox-equipped 911 GT3 from the video is a Touring model, which means it has an automatically deployable rear spoiler. Upon setting the drive mode to Track, the GT3 whooshes to 124 mph in a matter of seconds. Sadly, the GT3 couldn’t achieve its claimed 199 mph top speed because of the growing traffic on Autobahn. The highest it clocked was 178 mph, which is not bad either.
Apart from the high-speed run, the acoustics of the normally aspirated flat-six is purely ear-gasmic. In an era in which hybrid powertrains are getting more prominent, Porsche is determined to stick with its in-house developed flat-six engine. We are not certain about the fate of this powertrain, but it is one of the best-sounding six cylinders in the market. In the video, you will also notice that the 911 GT3 loses stability for a split second upon entering the Autobahn. That is mainly because of the cold weather, and the Track mode turns off the ESC, but it also confirms how tail-happy the GT3 is.
The 992 GT3 Is One Of The Best All-Purpose Sports Car For Enthusiasts
While the 911 GT3 RS is very close to Porsche’s race cars, the GT3 is more road-focused, with almost similar track performance to the RS. While they possess significant differences in appearance and aerodynamics, the rear-mounted 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine remains the same. However, the RS adds another 15 ponies over the GT3’s 502 horses, which makes it no less than a BMW M4 on the road. In addition, the 346 pound-feet of torque is available post 6,000 RPM.
According to the Car and Driver, the GT3 can reach 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds, which is very similar to the BMW M4 CSL. However, the GT3 is on the expensive side when compared to its key competitors, but it is one of the best driver’s cars available on the market.
Masterminded by Rolf Wütherich and Ferdinand Piech, the R made its competitional debut in 1967 as the lightest Neunelfer of them all. Tipping the scales at 800 kilograms (1,764 pounds) and powered by a 207-hp sixer, the R ended production after only 20 examples were finished.
In the 1970s, la Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile rolled out new regulations that allowed the Stuttgart-based automaker to add two extra inches to the front and rear tracks of the 911. That’s how the ST was born, a very rare car that weighs 960 kgs (2,120 lbs) in its lightest specification.
Both carbureted and injected STs were produced, with the 1972 high-butterfly 2.5 serving as the magnum opus of the breed. Competitional successes for the ST include the 1000 km Nurburgring endurance race, Targa Florio road race, Sebring 12 Hours, as well as the Daytona 6 Hours.
By adding two inches to the wheel arches, Porsche could accommodate slightly wider tires and wheels both up front and out back. Porsche didn’t have 9.0-inch Fuchs wheels for the rear axle, which is why Minilite rears were used in combination with 7.0-inch Fuchs wheels for the front axle. Said modifications wouldn’t have had a massive impact on the vehicle’s on-track performance without a number of weight-saving measures. For starters, thinner-gauge steel was used in several areas. Minimal paint also needs to be mentioned, as well as no soundproofing or undersealing.
Deletions further include the ashtray, sun visors, heating ducts, seat slide supports, glove box lid, and rear torsion bar covers. Plastic was used for the front and rear bumpers, as well as the front lid. Last but certainly not least, lightweight Plexiglas rear and side windows pretty much sealed the deal. The ST is coming back in 2023, probably as a 2024 model in the U.S. market, but with a twist. Rather than a track monster, the second coming is expected in the form of a road-going special edition that will borrow a few bits and pieces from the 992-generation GT3 and GT3 RS.
First spied back home in Germany at the beginning of December 2022 while testing in the rain, the ST is a heritage car that will sit above the Sport Classic in the lineup. To whom it may concern, the 911 Sport Classic retails at a simply unbelievable $272,300 in the U.S. at press time. Joined at the hip to the Porsche 911 Turbo, this duck-tailed heritage car makes 543 horsepower at 6,750 rpm and 442 lb-ft (600 Nm) at 7,200 rpm.
Given its relation to the GT3 and GT3 RS, the ST is rocking a free-breathing sixer with more than 500 ponies on tap. Recently spied testing in sub-zero weather in Sweden, the limited-run model certainly benefits from a number of weight-saving measures. Unlike the GT3 and GT3 Touring, this Touring-style interpretation of the GT3 RS features the carbon-fiber doors and conventional door handles of the GT3 RS. The front aero trickery is closely related to the GT3 RS as well, which probably means that it will feature the GT3 RS’ DCT.
The lightest version of the GT3 RS tips the scales at 1,450 kilograms (approximately 3,197 pounds), whereas the manual-equipped GT3 is officially rated at 1,418 kilograms (approximately 3,126 pounds). Given that the ST doesn’t feature the swan-neck rear wing of the GT3 RS, its DIN unladen weight should be somewhere between the GT3 and GT3 RS.
Pictured with the double-bubble roof of the Sport Classic, the ST also rocks centerlock wheels. The pictured prototypes are equipped with winter tires, which is only natural in cold weather testing conditions, but the real deal should come with super-sticky rubber shoes supplied by Michelin.
The new GT3 RS is the most extreme 911 ever. Time to see if its great grandad has gone soft
Two Porsche 911s with big wings and stickers. You call that progress?
Don’t judge a car by its decal package, young Padawan. Admittedly, the Top Trumps cards don’t make for progressive reading. See, the 2010 997.2 Generation GT3 RS possesses a 3.8-litre flat-six with 444bhp that revs to 8,500rpm. The 2022 equivalent, the 992 GT3 RS, has a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six revving to 9,000rpm and produces 518bhp. The newer car is also nearly 100kg heavier. So, not much progress you’d think. But you’d be wrong. In the 12-year gap between these two RSs Porsche has managed to carve 44 seconds out of a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time. Which is a lifetime in Ring speak and sensational progress.
Point taken. But how’s it got so much faster?
Well, they both stick steadfastly to the Porsche GT Division’s rulebook of using motorsport as the guiding light for hardcore road cars; with RS’ being harder and faster versions of the already hard and fast GT3s. The 997 arrived on the scene with standard centre-lock wheels, track-ready aero package, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, carbon brakes and the decals. The 992 has all of those things, it’s just been refined, honed and a made a hell of a lot more complicated. Especially when it comes to the aero department. You might have noticed the wing (hard to miss given it’s the largest rear wing to ever go on a 911) but there’s also countless lips, flicks and underfloor tunnels to gift the 992 860kg of downforce at 177mph. The 997.2 develops half that while going 186mph.
That all sounds a bit serious.
A car with DRS and hewed suspension normally is. Which makes the 997 refreshing. It’s remarkably approachable when put next to the 992. Yes, it’s serious, but simpler. A lot simpler. Open the door and you sit in wonderfully slim and supportive seats to admire the plain, functional Alcantara wrapped interior and open, upright glasshouse. The simple steering wheel is clutter free, allowing you to relax as you waggle the stubby little six-speed gearlever and admire the roll-cage filling the rear-view mirror. Meanwhile, in the 992, you’re confronted with a high, wide, complicated dash you have to peer over like a dog looking for scraps at a dinner table. Then there are buttons. Lots of buttons. Including four new dials on the steering wheel offering a handful of modes; nine stages of compression, rebound, e-diff plus various flavours of ESC. There’s no gearstick to waggle either, just PDK shift paddles with motorsport-derived magnet technology that snap with a satisfying click.
People say the 997.2 GT3 RS was peak RS. Is it?
Forums argue that the Four Point Oh may be the pinnacle, but the 3.8-litre is 98 per cent there and far more attainable. In the pricey world of Porsche attainability. But it still remains a jewel in the crown of motoring, led by the worshipped ‘Mezger’ engine (named after its creator, renowned Porsche engineer Hans Mezger) that has a chunter and gruffness at start up before progressing into a snarl at mid-revs that tunes up the harder you push it before singing a shrieky song of motorsport. It’s paired perfectly with a hefty, meaty clutch, graunchy but self-assured gearbox and telepathic steering. Thanks to an ultra-light single-mass flywheel, the needle on the rev gauge zips around like it’s had an electric shock as you heel and toe while burying your foot in the brakes. You can then use the roll and supple, well-damped suspension to lean on the wide, thick, sticky Michelin rubber to maximise the weight and traction over the back axle to throw yourself out a corner and at the horizon to the sound of a comical 8,500rpm.
Hang on, so is the 992 the right kind of progress?
Depends what you’re looking for. If you live for the stopwatch and are a track day monkey, hell yes. There’s never been an easier way to drive to a track, have a race car experience and drive to the pub to gloat about how many people you’ve overtaken. You just need your wits about you to hit its potential. But the latest 3RS isn’t as useable, having lost its frunk in favour of a race car’s radiator and having had its spring rates wound up it won’t favour a b-road. The 997 is a joy on the road and where it once was a wide car (having borrowed the Turbo bodyshell) now it’s suitably slender and narrow compared to the squat prop-like 992. Either way, both cars are going to go down in Porsche history as legends.
The Porsche 911 is one of the most iconic cars in the world. It has been a symbol of luxury and performance for more than 50 years, and its impact on automotive culture can’t be overstated. This beauty was featured in films, magazines, and on TV. It has been raced in some of the most prestigious events in the world. Porsche’s 911 has always had a fanatical following, and it is still going strong today.
History
The Porsche 911 was first introduced in 1963 and has been continuously produced since then. It was initially designed as a successor to the Porsche 356 and featured a 2+2 coupe body style. Over the years, it has seen many changes in design, engine configurations, and trim levels. The 911 has become synonymous with performance and luxury thanks to its powerful engines and well-appointed interior features.
911
The first generation of the Porsche 911 was produced between 1964-1989 and is known as either the “901” or “911”. This model featured a 2.0L flat-6 engine and a distinctive “whale tail” spoiler which became a hallmark feature on subsequent models. It was also available in both coupe and Targa versions.
930
In 1975, Porsche released their second generation 911, commonly referred to as the “930”. This iteration featured an all-new 3.0L turbocharged engine which provided more power than any previous model. It was only available as a coupe. However, it kept many of the design elements from its predecessor, such as its whale tail spoiler and shapely bodywork.
964
Roughly ten years later, in 1989, came what many consider to be one of the most iconic iterations of the 911: The 964 series. This model featured an all-new body style and began using water-cooled engines instead of air-cooled ones for improved performance and reliability. It was also available in both cabriolet (convertible) and Targa versions alongside its traditional coupe counterpart.
993
The 993 series marked yet another major milestone for Porsche in 1995, with an even more refined body style and high-performance twin-turbocharged engines becoming available for buyers wanting even more power out of their cars. The 993 also ushered in an era where stability control systems were standard on all vehicles providing drivers with even greater control over their cars at high speeds than ever before.
996
The next major update came in 1999 when Porsche unveiled their fourth generation 911, known as the 996 series. This model featured an all-new design language as well as completely reworked engines that now used water cooling instead of air cooling like previous models had done since 1964. Additionally, this series also introduced many new technological features, such as ABS brakes and traction control systems for improved safety on roads at higher speeds.
997
The 997 was introduced in 2005 and saw further improvements over its predecessor, including better aerodynamics and improved handling thanks to revised suspension geometry. The exterior design was updated to a more angular shape reminiscent of classic 911s, such as the 2.7 RS model from 1973. The engines were also upgraded with larger displacements and higher power outputs than before. In addition, optional features such as xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, satellite navigation, and automated climate control became available on certain models.
991
Introduced in 2012, the 991 was yet another significant departure from previous generations of the 911; it featured an all-new body that allowed for a wider track width, improving stability when cornering at high speeds. It also featured revised suspension components, which improved agility compared to earlier models while maintaining excellent road-holding capabilities. Inside there were plenty of luxury touches, such as leather upholstery and touchscreen infotainment systems with smartphone integration capabilities.
992 Series
Introduced in 2012, the 991 was yet another significant departure from previous generations of the 911; it featured an all-new body that allowed for a wider track width, improving stability when cornering at high speeds. It also featured revised suspension components, which improved agility compared to earlier models while maintaining excellent road-holding capabilities. Inside there were plenty of luxury touches, such as leather upholstery and touchscreen infotainment systems with smartphone integration capabilities.
Engine & Performance
The heart of any car is its engine, and the Porsche 911 is no exception. Originally equipped with air-cooled flat-six engines ranging from 3.0 to 3.3 liters in capacity, today’s 911s are powered by water-cooled twin-turbocharged versions ranging from 3.0 to 4.0 liters. Depending on the model, these engines can produce up to 620 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, allowing for 0-60 times as low as 2.3 seconds and top speeds of up to 205 mph.
Design & Features
The Porsche 911 is known for its distinct design language, which has remained relatively unchanged since its debut in 1963. The car’s classic silhouette is instantly recognizable and still looks modern today. Inside the cabin, you’ll find a well-appointed interior with premium materials like leather and Alcantara accents. Depending on the trim level, features like heated seats, a panoramic roof, a navigation system with Apple CarPlay integration, and an advanced infotainment system are available.
Variants
Carrera
The entry-level Carrera trim is available in both coupe and cabriolet styles, with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. It comes with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine that produces 379 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, giving it plenty of oomph for spirited driving. It also features an 8-speed PDK transmission and adaptive suspension with three settings—Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus—for optimal ride comfort.
Targa
The Targa variant takes its name from the 1965 Porsche 911 Targa, which was designed to be part open-top car and part hardtop coupe. This variant features a distinctive roll bar over the cabin that gives it a unique look compared to other 911s, along with a sliding glass roof panel for added style points. It also comes with an updated version of Porsche’s 3.0-liter turbocharged engine that produces 444 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque for an even sportier driving experience than the standard Carrera.
Turbo
The Turbo trim adds even more power to the equation thanks to its 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged flat-six engine, which churns out 572 horsepower and 553 lb.-ft of torque for blistering acceleration off the line. It also adds several performance upgrades, such as an active aerodynamic system that reduces drag at high speeds and active suspension dampers for improved handling around corners. The Turbo also features carbon ceramic brakes for better stopping power when you need it most.
GT3/GT3 RS
If you’re looking for pure performance, then look no further than the GT3/GT3 RS trims. These models feature a 4.0 liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine that produces 493 horsepower and 339 lb.-ft of torque for maximum speed in straightaways or around tight turns alike. They also come with upgraded brake systems featuring six & eight-piston calipers, respectively, as well as lightweight body panels to reduce overall weight while still providing superior handling dynamics compared to other variants in the lineup.
GT2/GT2 RS
Last but certainly not least is perhaps the ultimate expression of performance from Porsche; the GT2/GT2 RS trims feature a 3rd generation twin-turbocharged engine producing up to 700 horsepower in some configurations! They also come with uniquely tuned suspension settings along with larger brakes & wheels than any other model in order to handle this massive power increase compared to other variants in the lineup; these are truly track-ready machines.
Conclusion
The Porsche 911 is an icon of automotive excellence and has been for more than 50 years. Its combination of classic styling, powerful engines, luxurious features, and race-winning performance make it one of the most desirable cars in the world. Whether you’re looking for a daily driver or a track weapon, there’s no better choice than the Porsche 911.
Upon first blush, there might not seem to be much shared with the habits and styles of Sardinian centenarians and the metallic Teuton but there is.
I love this story. It bridges both my passion for automobiles with the wisdom and ineffable beauty that comes along with age. Photographer Luigi Corda, a native of Sardinia, recently embarked on a journey through his home country in the new Porsche 911 Speedster documenting the inordinate number of centenarians that exist in so-called “Blue Zones.” What he found while traipsing through the Sardinian countryside with the top down – and I can’t think of a better ride to do it in than the Porsche 911 Speedster – is a country and a people full of life.
Upon first blush, there might not seem to be much shared with the habits and styles of Sardinian centenarians and the metallic Teuton but there is. Both have withstood the test of time with grace, durability, and unremitting charm. They both share a tangible link to the past without forgetting the wonder and glory of living in the present. And they are both quite photogenic.
The Porsche Speedster first appeared in the 1950’s as a 356 model. She was a simple car, as the 356 most certainly was, that delivered a raw driving experience from its rear engine motor and drop-top styling. The name was later resurrected in the 911 model in the 930 and 964 generations. The current iteration is based on the 991 version of the 911, and while significantly removed from its old 356 air-cooled roots, it still manages to evoke the simple and clean driving experience of a time gone by.
In his travels across Sardinia from town to town, photographing the residents, and documenting their tales, Corda found an eager Porsche 911 Speedster ready and willing to meet whatever the next bend or bump in the road brought his way. The people too were eager to share their love of life and were quite excited to see the Porsche. It brought a smile to their well-worn faces and seemed to put a spring in their step possibly transporting them back to their youth and filling them with a car story from a time gone by. It’s nice to see.
Check out Luigi’s trip below. It’s definitely worth a look. Adiòsu, Sardinia, and, Auf Wiedersehen, Porsche. Buckle up.
