Im probably in the minority but I watched the carfection video and although I am inawe at the incredible lengths they have gone to with aero, Ifelt that finally Porsche has produced a product that I can probably get little benefit from over the base 992 GT3 (now fitted with the wider 265/325 GT2RS Cup2 tyres).
If Im perfectly honest I was a bit dissapointed we did not see a capacity or RPM increase as these are things I could see my next GT3 benefiting from. Hopefully the next GT3 will not adopt the extreme aero changes of the RS. Only the tyre temperature feature is of interest although this is already available on the $40 Aliexpress TPMS system I recently purchased for my Yaris!
Im not sure where PAG can go with the next GT3 other than capacity increase if they wish to move the game forward without deploying expensive composites and active aero devices?
My concerns are four fold:
1). Aero - and active aero. Im having a hard enough time getting benefits from the 992 GT3 increased aero on the track. The problem Ive found with aero is that as a square relation to speed it requires you to put the car in the same place at the same speed each time pecisely in order to understand the mechanical grip you have on hand which immediately starts changing as you apply the brake. Call me sissy but other than my local track Im not able to exactly replicate those conditions lap after lap like a prod driver and thus the amount of mechanical.aero grip is different each time. Its like active dampers. I tried them on my 991.1 GT3 and I didnt like them. I was faster but I couldnt tell you what was happening to make me quicker through the corners! I run iRacing on SIM and Im used to driving downforce cars at NT and Spa and I feel the differences noticeably between cars (i.e. RSR vs 991 Cup). But to learn aero properly I have to push the limits to the extreme - easy on SIM at no cost. IN a real 300K car no so much...
Another point to add. in New Zealand we dont really have a single track that could be considered an "aero track". Across our countries 8 tracks (all of which Im familiar with) we have around 4-5 sweepers above 100kmph where aero would be be of any significant benefit...
2). Practicality. The car seems suited to a gentleman racer who campaigns a 992 Cup car in a series and has a membership to a private track (Ascari, COTA etc) close by to their house (or a garage there they rent). Maybe a good weekend car to take his sone for some fast laps in without the need for crew. BY way of example myself and most I track with drive up to 300km in a single day on back roads to get to the circuit and regularly we run a tour to the South Island where we are away 12 days and drive 4500 road km to and between tracks. With no trunk and no way to get gear behind my cage easily (especially with my camera fixed to the X bar) I simply dont think I could travel any distance in this car without a support vehicle for my and my wifes luggage. Its hard enough in a standard GT3!
3). Adjustable dampers. Im probably unique but I find multi way traditional coilovers hard enough to understand setting up and if I hjave more adjustment Im forever fiddling and end up never happy. Id rather learn to drive around a fairly fixed system than have available to constant tempation of dials to change. Im also competitive so when I go to teh track Im early out and lapping hard as soon as Im able. No way do I see myself fiddling with damper stiffness and aero at 230kmph down the back straight before braking into some very challenging low speed corners LOL. If you are that gentleman that has a membership and can "play" on teh track all weekend trying set up - all good - but I pay for a 6 session day and dont have much room for playing with settings nor can my wallet take the cost of getting it wrong?
4). Fragility and cost to repair. Im pretty sure by driveway would render some of that aero redundant on day 1. Our roads are dirty and the back roads bumpy - Im pretty sure the sides of my car would be littlered with brake dust and rock chips after a single long drive.Im pretty sure my window screen would take stones from the aero up front (my friends crack window from stones from their RS guard vents!). Its a headache enough looking after an expensive car but this one might be above my paygrade...
So those are my thoughts. Im not sore about getting one - in NZ its easy enough for me to get an allocation - Im just mindful this product is too extreme for my automotive lifestyle.
The 992 GT3RS is a cool piece of kit and Im glad it exists - but its the first time I havent felt jealous of it over my base GT3 from the same generation :-)
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2022 Toyota GR Yaris, 2021 992 GT3, 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, 2009 Lotus Elise SC