How do you perfect perfection? The only way to answer this is to ask the masters, the company that has been doing it for more than 50 years. We went and asked Porsche. While the design specifications and prototypes of the new 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 have been released, they are not out for test drives by the press yet, so we can only sit and drool at a spec sheet that is sure to get your heart racing. The only question is where to start?
Exterior Sex Appeal
We like them 911 curves as much as the next Porsche fan, but with the GT3 Porsche seem to have managed to make it even better – yep, we’re talking about the swan neck rear wing. This adds 50 percent more down force (over the outgoing model) to the car’s street handling. When combined with the manually adjustable front spoiler and the fixed rear lip, an additional 100 percent more down force is generated. The grand total then is 150 percent increase available for the track. The 911 is still standard rear wheel drive; down force equates to better power delivery and handling at speed. The upside-down wing (for better efficiency) isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but in this sense, Porsche is staying true to the 911’s roots. The 911 is ultimately a performance driver’s car.
Then there are the two-color options available – ‘Guards Red’ and ‘Shark Blue’ which are cleverly carried throughout the vehicle with cues like the razor-sharp pinstripe on the new lightweight 20” front and 21” forged aluminum wheels. This extends to even smaller details like the stitching around the Alcantara steering wheel. Speaking of those wheels, they come with GT3 specific tires which are 0.4 inches wider than before. If all this still doesn’t quite give you the handling you need, a street legal R-compound track tire is optional. Yes, it’s only fair to say we think that the GT3 is stunning.
Interior Functionality
Much of this is similar to the lesser 911s but once again, the devil is in the details. What Porsche has done is prioritize weight. Less weight means more acceleration and Porsche are well aware of this. What they’ve done is remove the rear seat (nobody really used it anyway) to make way for more subtle mods like a thinner steering wheel and window glass. The tach and display also has a GT3 specific track function and custom shifter (we think the slightly more retro look suits the interior). Four-way sport seats are OE, but if you want to save an extra 26 pounds you can opt for the 18-way sport seats.
Under the Porsche 911 Hood
Staying true to form the heart of the GT3 is a 4.0 liter naturally aspirated flat-six from the 2019 911 speedster. Porsche has added bigger pistons, dry sump lubrication and each cylinder now has its own throttle body. This equates to plenty of oomph; 502 hp and 346 lb-ft of torque to be exact.
Transmissions are the whip crack quick PDK seven speed dual clutch as standard with a six-speed manual available on special order. This means a 0 to 60 mph of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 197 mph with the standard version. Of course, this will need to be checked, but rumors from the Nurburgring Nordschleife are a time of 6:59.927.
Going fast is all very well, but can it stop? We are pleased to reassure you that the new Porsche comes with bigger cast iron disks as standard, while still managing to once again save weight due to a narrower friction ring. If you want to up the game though, ceramic brakes are available in 16.1-inch front and 15.3-inch rear sizes which save half the weight again.
Crossing the finish line at the Nordschleife faster than the outgoing model by 17 seconds, Porsche has once again proven the principles of physics hold true, less is definitely more. Speaking of that, pricing is not yet confirmed, but it looks like the GT3 will go for about $170 000 when it hits the showrooms in the fall.