Driven
Back to Library >
Porsche 911 GT3 review
5 years ago
Death of the small car
In the 135-year history of the motor car, most memorable have been the small ones. Alec Issigonis’s Mini, Dante Giacosa’s Fiat 500, Stanley Edge’s Austin Seven, Ferdinand...
Underrated: Ford Mustang Bullitt
Was this more than just a cynical marketing exercise for movie buffs? Dan Prosser explains why the Mustang Bullitt wasn’t what it seemed
Black Magic: Mercedes CLK63 AMG Black Series v C63 AMG Black Series
These Black Series AMGs seem so similar on paper there might seem little point comparing them. Don’t let that fool you, says Dan Prosser
The death of the British car industry: Part two
When Michael Edwards took over the top job at British Leyland in 1977, the company’s market share had fallen from 30 per cent in 1975 to 25 per cent. As he put it: 'companies...
But some due diligence first. The car has essentially the same 4-litre flat-six as before, with a further 10bhp to place it numerically between the previous GT3 and GT3 RS. Manual and PDK transmissions are available and an as yet unconfirmed Touring version will indeed come later this year. It’s 5kg heavier, but would have been 40kg were it not for weight saved in the engine, exhaust, glass, sound deadening, wheels and using a CFRP bonnet.
But there are four big changes: an aero pack offering 150 per cent more downforce – 385kg in total, a doubling of its front spring rate and, most significant of all, the fitment of the first double wishbone front suspension used on a road going 911. It is derived from that of the million buck RSR-19 Le Mans racer. The price has gone up too, some £16,000 compared to the last GT3 launched in 2017. If you can get one.
It is a compromised package on the road. The ride is decidedly stiff, though not quite harsh, and there is some resonance in the structure too. The deleted sound deadening, thinner glass and increased spring rate erode the GT3’s credentials as a daily driver. It is now more viable than optimal in that role. It’s been done to make the car even better to drive, which it is. On the right road, its poise is out of this world.
On track its astounding precision makes it more of a proper driver’s tool, less of a recreational plaything. Which approach is better is up to the individual, but there’s still nothing this money buys I’d rather drive. Even so I sense repositioning going on, and hope the Touring, with no need for downforce-tolerant spring rates, will be both softer and quieter. If it is, I’d not rule out it becoming The Intercooler’s second ten out of ten car after the Alpine A110.
Porsche 911 GT3
Engine: 3996cc, 6-cyl, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch, RWD
Power: 503bhp @ 8400rpm
Torque: 347lb ft @ 6100rpm
Weight: 1435kg
Power-to-weight ratio: 351bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 3.4 seconds
Top speed: 198mph
Price: £127,820
Ti rating: 9/10
Join The Intercooler's thriving community today and get access to:
Award-winning magazine
Ad-free on website and app
Subscriber-only podcasts
Listen without ads
Audio articles
Listen on the go
Full Library access
1500+ stories, 2m+ words
