Porsche 911 GT3 – On Sale in Early 2003
The sporty 911 Carrera will have a supremely fit and athletic brother with even greater speed and power when Porsche AG launches the new 911 GT3 in March 2003. With 280 kW (381 hp), the 911 GT3 delivers almost 6% more power than its predecessor. What’s more, it delivers 19% more power than the Carrera with the same displacement.
The new GT3 has a claimed top speed of 306 km/h and with the specific output of 77.8 kW, the legendary boxer engine (3.6 litres) is one of the most powerful non-turbocharged engines in its class worldwide. Factory tests show that the GT3 takes just 19.7 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h – and then return to a standstill.
The engineers at the Porsche development centre in Weissach, Germany, have completely redesigned the new GT3. They focussed their efforts on excellent handling, a high standard of active safety and a lightweight design, the ultimate goal being, of course, a supremely sporty drive that Porsche drivers have enjoyed for decades.
The improved engine performance is achieved through a controlled increase in engine speed. The red sector of the tachometer now begins – depending on gear selection – at 8200 rpm. The new 911 GT3 therefore revs up to 400 rpm more than the previous model, which greatly enhances the car’s sprinting ability.
It can accelerate from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, which is 0.3 second faster than its predecessor. It now reaches 160 km/h in just 9.4 seconds instead of the previous 10.2 seconds. At least 80% of maximum torque of 385 Nm (previously 370 Nm) is produced from as low as 2000 rpm.
To handle this increase in performance, the transmission now has oil cooling and injection oil lubrication as well as some additional reinforcements to cope with the higher torque that surges through it.
The sports suspension of GT3, with a centre of gravity 30 mm lower than that of the 911 Carrera, was fine-tuned further. The new wheels are also wider and lighter and achieve higher axial and lateral acceleration values.
On the front axle, the rim width is now 8.5 inches, with tyre dimensions of 235/40ZR18. The rear axle rims now measure 11 inches instead of the previous 10 inches with tyre dimensions of 295/30ZR18.
The engineers have made further improvements to the brake system. On the front axle, the GT3 has been given high-performance 6-piston monobloc brake calipers (previously 4-piston). The brake discs at the front have been increased by 20 mm to a diameter of 350 mm and fitted with Porsche-patented coolant ducts. The ABS was also modified and the new ABS 5.7 system is said to have a faster and more sensitive control response. It is also lightweight and provides greater stability during braking.
Ceramic brake discs – Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) – can be fitted on request. These are already fitted as standard in the 911 GT2 and are also available with the 911 Turbo and Carrera 4S (subject to an extra charge).
The most striking visual feature of the new GT3 is the unique rear wing, which is largely responsible for the impressive directional stability at high speeds and the increased contact pressure for fast cornering. The experience gained with the GT3 Cup model in racing was put to good use when fine-tuning the car in the aerodynamic wind tunnel. The rear wing is, of course, adjustable.
The front apron was also redesigned and contributes to a Cd of 0.30, which Porsche says is ‘outstanding for a car in its class’.
The typically excellent handling dynamics have been achieved by the Porsche Motorsport specialists without any chassis control systems. The approach is taken because it could otherwise impair the overall driving experience. All components are designed and adapted to meet even the extreme demands of racetrack driving. It therefore goes without saying that the new GT3 will also be available in a Clubsport version (at no additional charge), which also delivers 280 kW (381 hp).
The Porsche 911 GT3’s standard European price (excluding VAT and country-specific requirements) is 87,900 euros or around RM332,000 (before Malaysian import duty). It will be available in Europe from March next year.
