Porsche announce new 911 GT3 model
Porsche call the new GT3 "a new chapter in race track performance sports cars" with its all-new engine, transmission, body and chassis. Quoted performance figures are as follows:
Power - 475 hp;
Power to weight ratio - 3.0 kg/hp;
Acceleration 0 to 100 km/h - 3.5 seconds;
Top speed - 315 km/h;
Lap time Nurburgring Nordschleife - under 7:30 minutes.
The new GT3 will also feature Porsche's first application of active rear wheel steering to a production Porsche, as well as optional full LED headlights.
The powertrain of the new 911 GT3 is composed of a 3.8-litre boxer engine yielding 475 hp (350 kW) at 8250 rpm, a Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and a high-traction rear-wheel drive. The six-cylinder engine is based on the same engine as the 911 Carrera S, although they share few common parts. All other components, including the crankshaft, valve gear, titanium connecting rods and forged pistons, were specially adapted or designed by Porsche for the GT3.
These basic modifications set the stage for an extremely high-speed engine that Porsche claims can rev up to 9000 rpm. The PDK transmission was also specially developed for the new GT3, with characteristics directly based on a sequential gearbox from motor racing, thereby providing further performance and dynamics advantages to the driver.
The most talked-about feature, however, is the active rear wheel steering. Porsche is employing this for the first time in a production model in order to achieve even higher precision and lateral dynamics. Depending on the speed, it steers in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels, in order to improve stability and agility. Other new modules improving driving dynamics are the electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock, and the dynamic engine mounts.
The newly developed all-aluminium chassis can still be adjusted by height, toe and camber. Contact with the road is made by the new 20-inch forged alloy wheels with central locking.
The 911 GT3 is based on the light, yet stuff body of the current generation 911 Carrera in hybrid steel-aluminium construction, however, it comes with independent front and rear parts. In addition, the 911 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S in the area of the rear axle. Another clear recognition feature is again the large, fixed rear wing. This makes a decisive contribution to the exemplary aerodynamics of the new 911 GT3, which combines low air resistance with even more power.
As a result, the new 911 GT3 sets new performance records. At full acceleration from standstill, the 100 km/h mark is breached after 3.5 seconds, and 200 km/h are reached in less than twelve seconds. The top speed is 315 km/h in the seventh, top gear of the completely newly adapted PDK transmission. The lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, which the new 911 GT3 manages in under 7:30 minutes, is even more impressive.
The new Porsche 911 GT3 will be launched from August 2013, and will cost _137,303 (in Germany). Australian release and pricing for the new GT3 is yet to be confirmed.
Images: Porsche press
