SEPANG: Porsche in Malaysia has introduced the all-new Porsche 911 GT3 that comes with vastly improved performance and racing pedigree.
The seventh generation 911 GT3 and 911 GT3 with Touring Package are now open for pre-order with prices starting from RM1,766,244 with SST exemption.
Designed as a true road-legal GT race car, the new 911 GT3 inherits elements straight from racing; for the first time, the car features a double-wishbone front suspension layout taken from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR race car.
It comes with specific geometry and calibration to change the car’s turn-in behaviour and allowing for sure-footed agility on the racetrack.
Its sophisticated aerodynamics with swan-neck rear wing mounting and striking diffuser are also from the 911 RSR, allowing for approximately 50% more downforce without affecting drag coefficient.
The manually-adjustable rear wing and diffuser elements can also be set to increase aerodynamic downforce by up to 150% in better managing higher cornering speeds.
The 911 GT3’s six-cylinder boxer engine, featuring individual throttle bodies for each of its six cylinders, is capable of revving up to 9,000rpm.
The updated 4.0-litre naturally aspirated engine delivers 510PS and 470Nm of torque to propel the GT3 from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds and to a top speed of 318kph.
The new 911 GT3 achieves a Nürburgring Nordschleife lap time of 6:59.927 minutes, approximately 17 seconds faster than its predecessor.
Despite a wider body, larger wheels, as well as additional technical and safety features, the new 911 GT3 retains a weight similar to its predecessor.
Using the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 911 GT3 weights just 1,418kg (seven-speed PDK: 1,435kg).
This low overall weight figure is achieved through extensive use of lightweight materials: the front bonnet and rear wing are made from the carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), the windows are made from lightweight glass, and the starter battery is a small LiFePO4 unit.
In addition, forged lightweight wheels and a sports exhaust system reduce weight by more than more than 10kg.
The 911 GT3 with Touring Package, offered at no extra cost, comes with a six-speed manual GT sports gearbox as standard, is more refined and suited for sports car lovers while delivering the same performance as the purist 911 GT.
The Touring Package also gets an automatically extending rear spoiler instead of a fixed-type which offers the necessary downforce at high speeds while maintaining a more understated aesthetic.
Silver-coloured trim strips made of high-gloss anodised aluminium on the side windows are another distinguishing feature, while the front end is painted completely in the exterior colour.
The rear lid grille features a unique ‘GT3 Touring” logo, which sits above the signature Porsche lettering, also finished in silver.
Almost all optional equipment available for the 911 GT3 can be specified in combination with the Touring Package.
This includes all exterior and wheel colours, LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS) and Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus (PDLS), Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB), lift system on the front axle, seat variations, assist systems, audio systems and the Sport Chrono package.
The cockpit is designed in line with the current 992 generation, but the GT3-specific instrument cluster features a central rev counter, which goes up to 10,000rpm, flanked by two high-resolution 7.0-inch displays featuring the new track screen.
This feature allows the driver to simplify the digital displays to prioritise vital track information such as tyre pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature and fuel tank level at the touch of a button.
It also includes a visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the rev counter and a shift light to facilitate more accurately-timed gear changes.
Like all 992 generation 911 models, infotainment in the 911 GT3 is centred on a high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen display featuring the latest Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system with online navigation and Porsche Connect Plus.
This system also supports the Porsche Track Precision App, which helps drivers maximise their track sessions and improve lap times by providing detailed driving data, including live displays and video analyses.
Due to increased demand for customised equipment among Porsche GT models, the Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range has been updated to include GT3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre, exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix headlight bases and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light without the red components.
Optional Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims allow owners to enhance the visual impact of the black alloy wheels.
Inside, equipment details such as the dials for the rev counter and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seat belts and trim can also be customised to almost any colour of choice.
For even more exclusivity, Porsche offers its special ‘Paint to Sample’ programme with 105 classic shades from Porsche’s past catalogue, as well as bespoke possibilities according to a customer’s choice, subject to availability.
Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) chief executive officer Christopher Hunter said motorsport had always been a core tenet of the Porsche brand identity.
“The 911 GT3 has long exemplified this passion for racing by transferring every ounce of expertise gained on the track onto the road. With the all-new 911 GT3 we are launching today, we are giving our customers the purest driving thrills possible behind the wheel of a Porsche 911.
“While the 911 GT3 makes for an ideal Sepang companion for the active community of track-going Porsche owners here in Malaysia, those who prefer to experience the dynamic qualities of the GT3 in a more understated fashion across longer journeys can go for the Touring Package which transforms the GT3 into a more road-oriented grand tourer (GT),” he said.
Keyword: Latest Porsche 911 GT3 arrives at RM1.76mil