PBS2010:
Interesting. What is your source of information? The top speed of the 991 GT3 is far from 320mph.
There is a contradiction in what you are writing, now that you mention top speed on the Autobahn.
First of all, not all the GT3 buyers in the world live in Germany. Those who do may not be in parts of the country which are least congested or suffer minimum road works disruptions, and therefore can drive at speeds in excess of 270km/h for a decent period of time.
I mention 270km/h because, if I am correct, it is about the top speed reached by the GT3 on the longest straight of the Nurburgring NS, a very fast circuit. I have never driven on another circuit, even former F1 circuits, where a car like the GT3 may achieve more than 230-250km/h on the straight. I do not know if any such circuit exists. Do you?
Very high speed capability may be appealing to many on the paper (probably most of them are not Porsche GT buyers). However, in practice, I find it totally useless. It corrupts the essence of what makes a driver’s car and leads many manufacturers, including Porsche, sell cars with excessively tall gearing. (Another disease is the excessive communication about the 0-100km/h or 0-60mph figures. Again totally useless, but good for the crowds and journalists.)
So personally I would rather trade a lot of top speed above 250 or 270km/h and get a proper close-ratio, short gear box. May be one day an option on an RS?
The communication of AP on the release of the 991 GT3 mentioned that they did not care so much about top speed. But this is marketing BS: how much lower is the GT3 top speed vs that of the Turbo?
Those who want a Porsche Autobahn queen should get a Panamera Turbo / Turbo S or a 911 Turbo / Turbo S. In fact, upon reacceleration from let us say 100km/h, even a Panamera Turbo will leave the GT3 in the dust.
Would you agree?
My source is a friend on Rennlist who compiled the chart from factory numbers. Theoretical top speed is 212 mph at 9k rpm, but because of aero drag and being passed the hp peak by that time, actual top speed is 195 mph at ~8,100rpm. This is almost perfect gearing for top speed (allows for a little more speed downhill). Ideal is right at hp peak (this is very close).
There is very little acceleration compromised now with the 7spd close ratios at any speed. It could be very slightly faster with 8 spd or if top speed was reduced (but performance gains would be small and fuel consumption would go up). I am grateful that we have a real 7spd that is not made for economy alone. 7th gear is a real performance gear now. Very little to complain about and very little to be gained by changing the gearing from here (I welcome 8spd close-ratio if it comes sometime - 2nd gear corners would be even quicker).
It sounds like you would only be satisfied with gearing so close that revs never fall below 8k rpm on a track? I suggest you drive the car - I doubt your main complaint will be the gearing is too tall and ratios too widely spaced. I think you will find that the car is shifting very often as it is (either by itself in Automatic Race mode or manually with paddles).
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73 Carrera RS 2.7 Carbon Fiber replica (1,890 lbs), 06 EVO9 with track mods. Former: 73 911S, Two 951S's, 996 C2, 993 C2, 98 Ferrari 550