For anyone with high-octane fuel running through their veins, the Porsche 911 GT3 is a hallowed model indeed. Born to be the perfect blend of road and track toy, for many it is THE performance car that you’d happily use everyday. The all-new 992 Porsche 911 GT3 is a 503bhp mean machine, but it comes from an esteemed line of GT3 models that paved the way for this household name.
Here’s every Porsche 911 GT3 to date – quite the bloodline.
Porsche 911 GT3 996
How’s this for a milestone? The very first Porsche 911 GT3 surfaced in 1999 and was based on the somewhat controversial 996-generation. Like many great performance cars, the GT3 was born out of a desire to go racing and a need to homologate.
A total output of 355bhp came courtesy of a flat-six engine that was very close to the motor used in racing. A lightweight focus means less soundproofing, no rear seats, radio or air conditioning. However, the latter two could be optioned back into the car.
Lighter, faster and more focused, this was where the GT3 recipe was first sampled.
Porsche 911 GT3 996.2
In 2004 Porsche updated the ageing GT3 via a facelifted 996 model. Asides from new headlights, 996.2 GT3s were boosted to 376bhp and 385Nm of torque, the latter improving responsiveness at lower rpm. The car’s standard brakes were upgraded, and for the first time ceramic composite stoppers were offered as an optional extra.
Legendary racing driver Walter Röhrl hit the Nurburgring in a 996.2 and lapped in 7 minutes 56 seconds.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 996.2
Porsche wanted to further homologate some parts of the GT3 racer, and so came the GT3 RS road car. New intakes and exhaust ports helped push power up to 394bhp, although Porsche officially say the car made no more power than a regular GT3. The focus was on lightening the car, and so a plastic rear window, carbon bonnet and rear wing was installed.
Thanks to more track focused suspension, less weight and great aero, this car lapped the Nurburgring four seconds faster than a regular GT3.
Porsche 911 GT3 997
An all-new GT3 for 2006 brought with it a 409bhp 3.6-litre flat-six (more power than the previous RS) and a more serious aerodynamic package. Instead of canceling out lift, this sports car generated downforce all of its own
Walter Röhrl returned to the ‘ring and set a time of 7 minutes 42 seconds.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 997
Proving popular in its initial form, the RS arrived much earlier in this GT3’s timeline. It was the same recipe of weight reduction through carbon trinkets with 20kg being removed. RS cars were wider than the regular GT3 thanks to utilising the Carrera 4S body shell to cover a widened rear track.
Porsche 911 GT3 997.2
Featuring a large 3.6-litre flat-six engine, the 997.2 is widely regarded as one of the greatest Porsche 911s ever. Its combination of road and track performance perfectly complimented the enthusiasts that went on to covet this car. Power was now up to 429bhp and the engine could be optioned with dynamic mountings to counter momentum through fast corners.
This was also the first Porsche 911 GT3 offered with a nose lift.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 997.2
Another high watermark for the GT3, the updated RS hosted much more extreme aerodynamics than its predecessor and was granted a mild 15bhp increase in power. A titanium exhaust and single-mass flywheel helped shave some weight from this car, 25kg in total.
Could the 997 get any better considering how well received the RS was? The answer is yes.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 4.0
One of the most collectable modern Porsches, the RS 4.0 numbers just 600 globally and features a 4.0-litre engine. A total of 486bhp was on tap, something that enabled a 0-62mph sprint of just 3.9 seconds. Available as a manual only, this was Porsche’s gift to true drivers.
The lightweight machine managed to shift another 10kg thanks to the addition of more carbon bodywork, titanium connecting rods and an even more simplistic interior.
Porsche 911 GT3 991
This all-new GT3 brought the sports car into a technological age. A new direct injection 3.8-litre engine produced 468bhp via a 9,000rpm redline, but there was no longer a manual option. Porsche’s new dual-clutch PDK offered impressive shifts, but arguably lacked the raw connection GT3 owners had previously enjoyed. It also introduced an electromechanical steering system that boosted efficiency, but wasn’t as communicative as the old hydraulic unit.
It remained an exceptional machine to drive on flowing roads, and the enhancements to its dynamics improved an already successful formula. The analogue GT3 had entered the digital age.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 991
One of the most extreme RS GT3 models, the 991 car’s design incorporated an aggressive front splitter, rear diffuser, large wing and louvers on the front wings. A larger 4.0-litre flat-six was installed and granted this RS 493bhp. 0-62mph was completed in a blistering 3.4 seconds.
A real track weapon, all the GT3 RS needed to become truly great was a manual gearbox.
Porsche 911 GT3 991.2
In a fantastic show of Porsche listening to its fans, the 991.2 GT3 was offered with a manual transmission. A 4.0-litre engine was fitted that closely matched that of the race variant, and aero tweaks resulted in a 20% downforce increase.
More importantly, Porsche has began to master the new electric steering system. This car proved to be a perfect example of evolution resulting in a greatly improved product.
Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 991
From the success of the very limited edition 911 R, the GT3 Touring was created. Effectively a wingless GT3, this car offered all of the performance of a regular GT3, just a bit more subtle. It was a real hit and we expect it to return for the next-generation GT3.
For many, the GT3 Touring is now the sweet spot in the range.
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 991.2
In 2018 a new GT3 RS was revealed to the world as a honed variant of what came before. Better brake cooling, modified suspension, lighter glass and a 20bhp lift in power. If you’re after one of the ultimate track cars, look no further.
A Weissach pack was offered for this car that included liberal levels of carbon bodywork, magnesium wheels and stiffer suspension.
Porsche 911 GT3 992
The first GT3 of the current 992-generation is the most aggressive looking GT3 to date. With visuals more akin to an RS, the large top-mounted wing and bonnet nostrils scream motorsport. Its 503bhp 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine will get it from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds. Extensive changes to the suspension and plentiful weight saving measures run deep.
This is just the beginning for the 992 GT3, with an RS, Touring and 992.2 cars expected in the future. Be sure to check out our in-depth feature on Porsche’s latest GT3 here.
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Keyword: Every Porsche 911 GT3 ever