Why the GT3 is the most beloved 911? For most 911 enthusiasts, three syllables are all it takes for them to go faint and fight with dealers for allocations: G-T-3. Launched 25 years ago as a road-going version of the homologated 911 Cup racers, the GT3 and subsequently GT3 RS and Touring have become the most desired and adored variants of the 911 range. From its iconic rear wing, signature roll cage, archetypal wishbone suspension, lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum body, super quick steering, and high revving, naturally aspirated flat 6, the GT3 has always been the peak of the 911 range. Now on its 25th anniversary, there’s an all-new facelifted 992.2 GT3. It is available in the iconic standard fully winged guise and in the more subtle Touring guise. Also with the options of both a 6-speed manual and a 7-speed PDK. You’d love to know which version you should go for. But more than that, you want to know if the new GT3 is still the best variant of the world’s greatest sports car. Exterior and interior changes As one would expect from any new 911, visually, this new 992.2 GT3 looks almost identical to the 992.1. Which looked virtually similar to the old 991, which copied the overall stance of the 997 etc. The only interesting fact to note is that for the first time in 8 years, both the Touring and regular GT3 have been introduced simultaneously. Visually the only differences are new LED headlights, a slightly smaller front radiator, a slightly wider front splitter and new side gills on the front fenders. The most noteworthy change is the option of an iconic Weissach Package on the regular GT3, also known as the lightweight package on the Touring. The interior is a bit more drastic, featuring the digital display and rev counter rather than the familiar analog setup and a button to switch between menus. Thankfully and a stop-start button instead of a manually operated key. Perhaps the most noteworthy feature is the option of four seats should you go for the Touring. Something one never had before on a GT3. Power and price: the difference between touring and non-touring Porsche has described the new GT3 as the most "emotional" and "innovative" variant of the car in history. Nowhere is this more clear than in its power plant. Where most of the 911 range has adopted the new Turbine hybrid setup, the GT3 thankfully remains old school. Behind the rear axle sits a 9000rpm screaming 4.0l Flat-6. It is, in truth the same Flat-6 found in the outgoing GT3. That means the same respectable 503 horsepower and 347 lb-ft torque being to the rear wheels via a much shorter ratio PDK. With launch control engaged 0-62mph takes 3.4 seconds (3.9 for the manual) and the top speed is 193. If you tick the Touring option, it will nudge 194mph, mostly due to the lack of a wing, reducing drag. That doesn’t sound like much, in fact, a much more affordable Carrera GTS t–hybrid, is quicker. But that’s missing the point. The GT3 was never about straight-line performance instead at its core is exceptional handling and precision. With new aerodynamically adapted features, updated suspension from both the RS and S/T, and rear-wheel steering, this new car is even sharper and more precise than a B&T Pro sniper rifle. It corners with so much grip that there's no doubt it will greatly supersede the old GT3’s Nürburgring’s time of 6:55.34 by a significant amount. In fact, going by history, one would assume it would challenge the old GT3 RS’ 6:44.85, potentially making it the fourth fastest car around the “Green Hell.” That is if you go for the standard winged Weissach Packaged GT3, which is built to demolish a race track. The Touring lacking the wing, high-performance dampers, and a shorter front splitter is more suited to roaring down B-road than ripping up a race track. The choice is yours as to which option you prefer, but note that both cars will cost less than $205,000. Punches above its weight: A Supercar killer Despite being full-on sports cars rather than cutthroat supercars, 911 GT3s have always punched above their weight. They’ve given the lightweight elites from Ferrari, Lamborghini, and McLaren a run for their money and overshadow lightweight cars offered at a similar price. There’s no denying this car will run rings around the new Alpine A110 R Ultime despite costing a lot less. But the more important question is, can it keep up with the new hardcore, lightweight Italian thoroughbred? The Maserati GT2 Stradale. Well, on paper, this hardcore, track-focused variant of the MC20 supercar would appear to eat the GT3 for breakfast. Its 3.0L twin-turbocharged V6 produces almost 120 brake horsepower more, making it faster to sixty by over half a second. It’s also lighter and even more track-focused with race harnesses and carbon fibre everywhere. However, as is always the case with the GT3, facts and figures only tell half the story. Given its predecessors made Ferrari and McLaren’s lightweights shake in their wheels, no doubt this new car has the Stradale all frightened. F1rst Motors will conduct a thorough track test between these two thoroughbreds at the Dubai Autodrome in due course. What does the future hold? The future is all-electric, Porsche knows this well hence why most of their range has gone or will go electric. With the exception of their most iconic and greatest car, the 911. Given this car’s fanbase, Porsche’s $100,000,000 spent on e-fuels, and the new patented six-stroke engine, it’s clear the 911 will remain the final frontier for the petrolhead. And the one that will stand out the most, for being the most old school, is the marvellous GT3. Porsche understands what their fanbase wants from a GT3, so it’s likely a future generation variant will continue to be a naturally aspirated, lightweight, supercar-killing dream. But even today, this amazing car truly stands out. We live in a world where car manufacturers are replacing their ICEs with hybrid power plants and electric motors. As a result, they are getting heavier, more cumbersome, more artificial, and dull. This is why this lightweight, race-derived, pure, raw, unadulterated legend is something truly special and desirable. The GT3 is not just another 911, it is proof that the petrolhead’s ultimate dream will live on. F1rstMotors Facts and FiguresManufacturerPorsche AGModel911 (992.2) GT3 / TouringYear of Release2025Engine4.0l Flat-6Horsepower503 horsepowerTorque347 lb–ft0–62mph (100km/h)3.4 seconds (3.9 seconds if manual)Top Speed193mph (310 km/h) /194mph (312 km/h) if manualWeight1,420kg (1.4 tonnes)Power to Weight354 hp per tonneGearbox7–speed Dual Clutch / 6–speed manualDriven WheelsRear Wheel DriveRivalsMaserati GT2 Stradale, Alpine A110R Ultime Source: Porsche
