The Breakdown The S/C is essentially a 911 GT3 Convertible in all but the name. It has a fully automated fabric roof that takes 12 seconds to open/close. It is heavier than the 911 Speedster, but not by much. Porsche’s sales have been on a downward trend for the past three years, but the 911 has been bucking that pattern. In 2025, deliveries hit a new record of 51,583 units, and this year is already shaping up to be another strong one. Through March, the legendary sports car is up 22 percent compared to the first three months of last year, reaching 13,889 vehicles. Looking ahead, Zuffenhausen is relentlessly expanding the lineup with new versions to broaden the 911’s appeal further. The GT3 S/C (Sport Cabriolet) picks up where the Speedster left off, but it’s not a direct successor. The key difference is that the newcomer is the first GT3 variant to feature a fully automated roof. In other words, you won’t have to get out of the car to unfurl the roof yourself. At the touch of a button, the fabric top goes down or up in about 12 seconds, as long as you’re not traveling faster than 31 mph (50 km/h). Press another button, and a wind deflector pops out or retracts in just two seconds. The more complex roof mechanism inevitably comes with a weight penalty, but Porsche claims the GT3 S/C is only about 66 pounds (30 kilograms) heavier than the Speedster. The U.S.-spec model tips the scales at 3,322 pounds, whereas its European counterpart comes in at 1,497 kilograms. Interestingly, this is the first 911 convertible to use a double-wishbone suspension at the front axle. The chassis has been tuned to echo the 911 GT3 coupe with the Touring Package. To keep weight as low as possible, Porsche uses carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic for the hood, fenders, doors, and rear anti-roll bar. Additionally, the connecting links and the underbody panel beneath the rear axle are also made from CFRP. Elsewhere, standard magnesium wheels and ceramic brakes further contribute to the diet. The convertible’s structure also incorporates magnesium to keep weight in check. Tell us what you think! View Comments To shave off even more mass, optional folding lightweight bucket seats with CFRP shells are available. There’s only room for a single passenger, as the rear seats have been removed, making the GT3 S/C the only 911 convertible sold strictly as a two-seater. You’ll likely be driving with the top down most of the time to hear the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six scream to 9,000 rpm. The high-revving boxer engine produces 502 horsepower and 331 pound-feet (450 Newton-meters) of torque, matching the GT3 coupe. It reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, or 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.9 seconds. Flat out, the latest 911 variant tops out at 194 mph (313 km/h). While the Speedster was capped at 1,948 units as a tribute to the year Porsche began production, the new GT3 S/C is not a limited-run model. Unlike the GT3 coupe, which is available with both a manual and a dual-clutch automatic, its open-top counterpart is offered exclusively with three pedals, echoing the manual-only Speedster. At $275,350 including destination, the new 911 GT3 S/C certainly isn’t cheap. However, it does offer substantial savings compared to a similarly equipped coupe. The price equivalent of the hardtop model would exceed $308,000, so you’re “saving” about 11 percent by choosing the convertible. That’s without factoring in the carbon-fiber fenders and doors inherited from the 911 S/T. The 911 GT3 S/C will hit Porsche dealers across the U.S. this fall. 2027 Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Motor1's Take: It’s always good to have options, even if the 911 lineup has grown overwhelmingly large in recent years. Being able to row your own gears while hearing the high-revving engine with the roof down is an increasingly rare experience that’s hard to beat. Not only is the sports car segment shrinking, but manuals are on their way out, and naturally aspirated engines are also being gradually retired. The $275,350 sticker means the car isn’t more expensive than the 991-generation 911 Speedster, which debuted in 2019 at a slightly higher $275,750 before options. Not having to raise or lower the roof manually is a plus, though the GT3 S/C misses out on the Speedster's retro-flavored double-bubble rear cover. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
