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One of the most anticipated sports cars of 2021 is here, driving at the Nürburgring U-7.
The last GT3 was one of the best Porsche 911s of all time and a benchmark among all sports cars. So this car has a lot to offer. This is the 2022 Porsche 911 GT3, the first 992 with a naturally aspirated engine and a car with a whole range of delicious specs.
As expected, the 4.0 liter six-cylinder is a carryover of the old 911 Speedster with individual throttle valves, but for the new GT3 he gets new pistons. It makes 502 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque with the redline set at 9000 RPM. There’s a dry-sump lubrication system that keeps the oil flowing on the track, and according to Porsche, the engine is practically identical to the car used in the new GT3 Cup. You get a seven-speed PDK transmission as standard. A six-speed manual transmission is available as an option. This is in contrast to other 992 models, which each have one more gear.
To keep the weight roughly at the level of the old GT3, this new model has a carbon fiber reinforced plastic hood and a wing assembly. The body is based on the current Carrera model, but the front track is 1.9 inches wider and, for the first time in a 911 road car, there is a double wishbone front suspension instead of McPherson struts. This setup, derived from the 911 RSR, increases steering precision and cornering stability. There’s a multilink setup at the rear, and Porsche says this new GT3 doesn’t share a single chassis component with the Carrera models.
The new GT3 also gets larger cast-iron brake discs than the old model, although they actually do thanks to a narrower friction ring are easier. Carbon-ceramic brakes are optionally available. As with all 992s, the GT3 has offset wheels, 20 at the front with 255/35 tires and 21 at the rear with 315/35 rubber. You can also buy the new GT3 with super sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires if you want to set insane lap times. More on that later.
The aerodynamics also take a significant step forward with this new GT3. The most obvious feature is the gooseneck rear wing with its unique mounts that allow for a cleaner flow underneath and four adjustment positions. At the front there are new double ventilation openings in the bonnet, which replace the now familiar single ventilation of earlier GT models, as well as an adjustable distributor and diffusers behind each wheel. In the normal settings, the new GT3 generates 50 percent more downforce than its predecessor; When everything is set to max attack, it makes 150 percent more.
The result of all of this is wild. Sure, a 3.2 second run between 0 and 60 mph and a top speed of 197 mph are impressive, but what is much more telling is the Nürburgring lap time. On the longer 12.94-mile configuration of the track, the 992 GT3 drove a lap of 6: 59.927 – 17 seconds faster than the 991. That moves.
Inside there’s a lot of what you’d expect – lots of Alcantara trim and optional carbon-backed bucket seats. And unlike other 992s that use a tiny Braun-razor-look shift lever for the PDK, this new GT3 has a lever that mimics the manual shift lever. Reason for that is? Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Vehicles at Porsche, likes to use the console selector to switch between the gear ratios.
Porsche says the new GT3 will arrive this fall. Pricing will be announced closer to its sale date. Expect a lot of people to struggle to get their place in the line. The final GT3 is arguably a modern day classic, and given the track record of Porsche’s GT division, this car should be excellent. We can’t wait to find out.
Ref: https://www.roadandtrack.com
