Porsche GT3 road test by evo..."If we hadn't lured motoring editor Barker out of it with a Jaffa Cake and a roll-up then he'd still be in it now. This is a very
very good car and it does some very
very impressive figures..."
"Looking at the specification and options for the new GT3, you might think it has gone soft. Standard kit includes adaptive damping, air-con and traction control, to which you can add satnat, electrically adjustable leather sports seats, a sunroof, cruise control... You might even be tempted to think of it as a Carrera S with a bodykit, stiffer suspension and a bit more power. You might be wrong, of course..."
"The GT3 is a product of Porsche Motorsport, and is the entry level model in a four-model line-up that also includes the GT3 RS and two race cars, the GT3 Cup and the GT3 RSR. The first three are built on-line at Zuffenhausen, while the 3.8-litre, 480bhp RSR is built by the racing car department at Weissach."
"I doubt that Porsche received any complaints about the power and response of the 996 GT3's 375bhp flat-six, but for the new GT3 the naturally aspirated 3.6-litre engine has been subjected to a meticulous, obsessive drive to reduce internal masses. The short-stroke, dry-sumped boxer six now revs to a maximum of 8400rpm, 200rpm higher, and with the help of a mild ram-air effect from the engine-cover air scoops, a larger intake butterfly and a compression ratio up from 11.7 to 12.0 to one, it develops a heady 409bhp at 7600rpm. That gives it an exceptional rating of 114bhp per litre and makes it almost as powerful as the twin-turbo 3.6 fitted to the 996 Turbo."
"Yet it is also a very tractable engine and, of course, meets EU4 emission standards. New to this latest GT3 engine is VarioCam, which adjusts the intake cam timing and thus helps improve both efficiency and the spread of torque. Meanwhile the exhaust system is essentially the one developed for the GT3 Cup racers, though ahead of the large-volume main silencer is a pair of pre-silencers. These feature bypass valves that open up to lessen back-pressure at pre-determined engine loads and speeds."
The GT3 engine is a masterpiece..."...when the chance comes to push on, the GT3 delivers a rich, full-bodied 911 experience. The engine is a masterpiece, plenty tractable enough in the low- and mid-range for the gearing not to feel over-long, but revealing a thrilling, epic reach when you keep it nailed. The smooth-spinning six's mid-range bellow becomes a thinner, almost manic howl beyond 5000rpm, and by 6500rpm the push in the back is so insistent, the yowl of the flat-six so urgent, that you can't imagine it getting any better. But it does, kicking again at 7000rpm and lunging for the 8400rpm limiter."
...the engine makes 429bhp against a claimed 409bhp..."Any doubts that the GT3's engine is producing the full quota of horsepower are dismissed in less than five minutes on the WRC dyno. Within three runs the engine produces two back-to-back figures within 1bhp, and the result is
429bhp. That's almost 120bhp per litre. WRC has tested a few GT3s and GT3 RSs and say it's spot-on for a GT3 fuelled with 99 octane Shell V-Power."
Bedford Autodrome - West Circuit (1.8 miles)Porsche Carrera GT = 1:19.70 (peak 120.5mph)
McLaren F1 = 1:21.20 (120.2mph)
Ferrari Enzo = 1:21.30 (120.9mph)
Porsche 997 GT3 = 1:23.10 (114.4mph)Porsche 997 Turbo = 1:23.55 (116.5mph)
Porsche 996 GT3 RS = 1:23.85 (113.4mph)
Ferrari F430 = 1:24.20 (112.2mph)
Corvette Z06 = 1:24.45 (118.1mph)
BMW M6 = 1:26.40 (109.6mph)
AM V8 Vantage = 1:26.75 (105.5mph)
Porsche Cayman S = 1:26.85 (104.6mph)
AM DB9 = 1:28.20 (107.5mph)
Audi RS4 = 1:28.25 (107.5mph)
BMW M3 CS = 1:29.80 (103.3mph)
BMW M5 = 1:29.95 (108.2mph)
VERDICT:"The 997 GT3 certainly hasn't gone soft. It's one of the best drivers' 911s ever - fantastically tactile, irresistibly engaging and fitted with one of the most thrilling flat-sixes Porsche has ever built. Far from detracting from the experience, the standard fitment of adaptive suspension, traction control and air-conditioning all add to its appeal - PASM allows it to be more sporty on track, TC offers a (switchable) safety net, and 20kg is a modest penalty to pay for the benefits of air-con."
"In fact, the fitment of lightly treaded trackday tyres makes it the most uncompromising GT3 there has been. Dry-road grip is exceptional, but in the wet you've got to tread very cautiously. Yes, you can specify it with creature comforts such as satnav and electric seats, but don't ever imagine it's merely a sportier Carrera S. The GT3 has teeth, and it will bite."
evo rating: ***** (5 stars)
...thanks to evo!
Great videos, thanks for posting! 
