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The GT3: Brief history
The Porsche 911 GT3 is mesmerizing. The first such GT3 came about at the very end of the ‘90s as a special edition of the then current 996 generation of one of the most famous sports cars in the world: The Porsche 911.
Through the 997 generation, the car got more powerful and ever more desirable. Colour schemes, initiated by the previous 996, grew wilder with the 997 as did the versions and special editions.
The 996 RS, the kingpin, was available in a limited run between 2003 and 2005. The 997 RS was more common, however, its skills and abilities shone brighter than the sun; ask anyone. The 997 GT3's legacy culminated in the most powerful and most desirable iteration ever and it was the RS 4.0L Limited -- truly a bucket-list car.
My love affair with the GT3 came full circle when I finally got to drive the car in 2010. On that day, every notion of driving dynamics, grip and acceleration that top-notch auto journos talk about reverberated through my being; I became part of the hype. The addiction began.
2014 991 Porsche 911 GT3
And now, the hype begins all over again. The new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 was just unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show and it once again rocked my world. And, I've yet to even drive it... here's hoping I actually do get to take it for a spin.
Regardless of my luck in the future, the details on the new GT3 are enough to make high performance drivers, tech-nuts and car enthusiasts' heads spin. I may as well be locked up for good...
No mo' clutch pedal
For one, some car nuts would like to see heads roll for one simple, yet overtly important, point: A PDK (dual-clutch transmission) now replaces the once untouchable 6-speed manual gearbox. Taken aback, angered and frightened even, I quickly came to my senses and realized that Porsche's decision in this matter was inevitable.
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is first and foremost a machine to go quickly. Let's put it this way: give Tiger Woods Ben Hogan's clubs and have him play against Rory McIlroy... Despite Tiger's supposed talent, he'd be ill-equipped to take on Rory.
The same logic applies here. The PDK is by far the superior transmission and so, if the goal is to set lap times, it is the best equipment. Notice that the + and - shift marks beside the lever have changed positions, now reflecting true racecars; the downshift is a forward push; up is a pull. Nice touch.
Future heel & toe historians (such as I) need not chop off their left foot just yet. My guess is that the nice people from Stuttgart will more than likely make a rowing ‘box available in time.
50 years of doing performance right
The engine is, and always will be, in the rear. As with the 997 GT3, the flat-6's displacement remains at 3.8L. Output rises to 475 hp from 435 in the 997. On its own, the increase is little to write home about, however, the performance changes are worthy of a revised edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
If you were not convinced of the advantage brought on by the PDK, know that 0-100 km times have dropped from a posted 4.0 to 3.5 seconds. Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times have tumbled to under 7:30 minutes from 7:40+ minutes for the outgoing MKII 997 GT3. A few other stats for your viewing pleasure: 200 km/h is reached in less than 12 seconds and the top speed is now 315 km/h in 7th gear.
Rear steer
The most novel piece of news to go along the announcement that the new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is effin' fast is the introduction of active rear-wheel steering.
The advantage to the 4-wheel steering is always speed based. Depending on rate of ground coverage, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels. This has a direct impact on lateral dynamics, improving stability and agility. From U-turns to rapid passing manoeuvres on a track, every steering wheel input will be met with more immediacy.
To go along with the rear-wheel steering, the GT3's all-aluminium chassis can still be adjusted for height, toe and camber. This car has a serious purpose.
The GT3 great gritty
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is 44mm wider than the Carrera S on which it is based. Specific to the GT3 are sweet and malicious looking 20” forged alloy wheels with central locking. We must not forget the massive signature fixed rear wing. Front and rear bumpers are Kobe-beefed up and look delicious.
The cabin of the 991 GT3 is sexy, albeit not as bare as it once was. The long and wide centre console, now standard across Porsche's lineup, brings elegance and luxury to an area that was once reserved for fast-business meetings only.
Alcantara remains the material of choice, and I'd have it no other way. Grippy sport bucket seats are a must as is the Alcantara-swathed steering wheel. The Sport Chrono Package is an option and allows the ability to display performance data.
When can you get one?
Never. I'm buying them all!
Pricing should hover around the $150,000 mark, and so I may ever only get to own a used rear tire...
All kidding aside, the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 perfectly ushers in the 50th Anniversary of the fabled 911. It should arrive in Canadian dealerships by the end of 2013.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is mesmerizing. The first such GT3 came about at the very end of the ‘90s as a special edition of the then current 996 generation of one of the most famous sports cars in the world: The Porsche 911.
Through the 997 generation, the car got more powerful and ever more desirable. Colour schemes, initiated by the previous 996, grew wilder with the 997 as did the versions and special editions.
The 996 RS, the kingpin, was available in a limited run between 2003 and 2005. The 997 RS was more common, however, its skills and abilities shone brighter than the sun; ask anyone. The 997 GT3's legacy culminated in the most powerful and most desirable iteration ever and it was the RS 4.0L Limited -- truly a bucket-list car.
My love affair with the GT3 came full circle when I finally got to drive the car in 2010. On that day, every notion of driving dynamics, grip and acceleration that top-notch auto journos talk about reverberated through my being; I became part of the hype. The addiction began.
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
2014 991 Porsche 911 GT3
And now, the hype begins all over again. The new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 was just unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show and it once again rocked my world. And, I've yet to even drive it... here's hoping I actually do get to take it for a spin.
Regardless of my luck in the future, the details on the new GT3 are enough to make high performance drivers, tech-nuts and car enthusiasts' heads spin. I may as well be locked up for good...
No mo' clutch pedal
For one, some car nuts would like to see heads roll for one simple, yet overtly important, point: A PDK (dual-clutch transmission) now replaces the once untouchable 6-speed manual gearbox. Taken aback, angered and frightened even, I quickly came to my senses and realized that Porsche's decision in this matter was inevitable.
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is first and foremost a machine to go quickly. Let's put it this way: give Tiger Woods Ben Hogan's clubs and have him play against Rory McIlroy... Despite Tiger's supposed talent, he'd be ill-equipped to take on Rory.
The same logic applies here. The PDK is by far the superior transmission and so, if the goal is to set lap times, it is the best equipment. Notice that the + and - shift marks beside the lever have changed positions, now reflecting true racecars; the downshift is a forward push; up is a pull. Nice touch.
Future heel & toe historians (such as I) need not chop off their left foot just yet. My guess is that the nice people from Stuttgart will more than likely make a rowing ‘box available in time.
50 years of doing performance right
The engine is, and always will be, in the rear. As with the 997 GT3, the flat-6's displacement remains at 3.8L. Output rises to 475 hp from 435 in the 997. On its own, the increase is little to write home about, however, the performance changes are worthy of a revised edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary.
If you were not convinced of the advantage brought on by the PDK, know that 0-100 km times have dropped from a posted 4.0 to 3.5 seconds. Nürburgring Nordschleife lap times have tumbled to under 7:30 minutes from 7:40+ minutes for the outgoing MKII 997 GT3. A few other stats for your viewing pleasure: 200 km/h is reached in less than 12 seconds and the top speed is now 315 km/h in 7th gear.
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
Rear steer
The most novel piece of news to go along the announcement that the new 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is effin' fast is the introduction of active rear-wheel steering.
The advantage to the 4-wheel steering is always speed based. Depending on rate of ground coverage, the rear wheels steer in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels. This has a direct impact on lateral dynamics, improving stability and agility. From U-turns to rapid passing manoeuvres on a track, every steering wheel input will be met with more immediacy.
To go along with the rear-wheel steering, the GT3's all-aluminium chassis can still be adjusted for height, toe and camber. This car has a serious purpose.
The GT3 great gritty
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is 44mm wider than the Carrera S on which it is based. Specific to the GT3 are sweet and malicious looking 20” forged alloy wheels with central locking. We must not forget the massive signature fixed rear wing. Front and rear bumpers are Kobe-beefed up and look delicious.
The cabin of the 991 GT3 is sexy, albeit not as bare as it once was. The long and wide centre console, now standard across Porsche's lineup, brings elegance and luxury to an area that was once reserved for fast-business meetings only.
Alcantara remains the material of choice, and I'd have it no other way. Grippy sport bucket seats are a must as is the Alcantara-swathed steering wheel. The Sport Chrono Package is an option and allows the ability to display performance data.
 |
| Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre |
When can you get one?
Never. I'm buying them all!
Pricing should hover around the $150,000 mark, and so I may ever only get to own a used rear tire...
All kidding aside, the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 perfectly ushers in the 50th Anniversary of the fabled 911. It should arrive in Canadian dealerships by the end of 2013.