Double trouble: New Porsche 911 GT3 revealed with Touring package

Porsche has added a GT3 and GT3 Touring to its refreshed 911 roster. From revised gear ratios to bantamweight bucket seats, find out what’s new for the dot two.

To almost all who experienced it, the first generation 911 992 GT3 was about as crisp and polished as a sports car can get — blending raw, analogue thrills with modern, ultra-efficient gearbox and chassis tech. But, at Porsche, they never hit pause on progress. Meet the all-new and (supposedly) much improved 911 GT3.  

How do you improve upon perfection? Porsche started with the styling. In typical GT3 fashion, many of the 992.2’s cosmetic tweaks are aerodynamically functional. A re-contoured front diffuser and underbody fins enhance downforce, while redesigned air inlets and an improved rear wing further augment this 911’s track performance.  

The Touring package, on the other hand, forgoes some of that downforce for increased kerb appeal. The vast spoiler is left on the production line to preserve the clean rear lines; a far subtler extendable flap takes its place. And, on the inside, a more luxurious ‘high-quality leather’ interior and optional rear seats — a first for the GT3 — make the Touring model a more civilised daily driver.

If your only concern is smashing lap records, the Weissach package will be more up your street. Employing lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer for the anti-roll bar, coupling roads, shear panel and roof, sheds precious KGs from the kerb weight — as do the optional magnesium forged wheels. Plus, anti-glare Race-Tex upholstery on the upper dash ensures you don’t get distracted when cornering at warp speed. 

Whichever GT3 variant you pick, you get the same searing 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat six. Featuring revised cylinder heads and borrowing the GT3 RS’s more aggressive camshaft profile, the GT3 delivers 503 bhp. Granted, that’s the same figure as before, but the 911 now achieves it despite two particulate filters and four catalytic converters to comply with tighter exhaust regulations. In terms of outright acceleration, the GT3 is now good for 0-62 mph in a scant 3.4 seconds with the PDK gearbox, or 3.9 if you’d rather row your own gears. 

Impressive numbers, but cornering has always been this 911’s dominant domain. Nothing’s changed: the front ball joints of the lower trailing arm have been set lower to combat pitching under braking and acceleration. Meanwhile, at the back, beefy 315/30/21 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres boast improved traction in damp conditions. 

Can you feel the difference? Well, if 14-time world rally champion, Walter Röhrl, is to be believed, yes. The Group B legend argues that “particularly on winding country roads, you can clearly feel that the steering is even better tuned than its predecessor. It instils even greater confidence in the car because it responds more calmly from the centre position without losing any of its directness. The shorter gear ratio also significantly enhances driving pleasure.” 

High praise indeed, but what’s the cost? Prices start from £157,300, with the desirable Weissach upgrade available for an extra £19,530. Or, if you’re feeling particularly self-indulgent, why not add a £10,250 GT3-inspired Porsche Design wristwatch to the order list? 

It’s expensive and compromised, but it’s clear the new 911 992.2 GT3 hasn’t lost its track car sparkle. The only question is, Weissach or Touring package?

Hero image credit: Porsche