Porsche 911 GT3: Story behind the name

The Porsche 911 GT3 is among the most hardcore of the 911 sports car range, doing away with comfort and luxury in favour of on-track performance. 

In fact, the 911 GT3 was originally built as a homologation model, meaning that it was released to the public to allow it compete in the Group GT3 racing class, from which it gets its name.

The most recent GT3 debuted in 2017 priced from $327,100 plus on-road coasts, motivated by a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six putting out 368kW and 460Nm.

Porsche says the GT3 RS is the most powerful series-production 911 with a naturally aspirated engine yet.

Just one year later, the German company outed an even racier GT3 RS variant, which was claimed to be the most powerful series production 911 with a naturally aspirated engine.

The GT3 RS made an extra 15kW/10Nm over the standard GT3, and was capable of sprinting from zero to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds.

While the regular Porsche GT3 is available with an optional manual transmission, the GT3 RS is exclusively equipped with the higher-performance seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which allows the car to hit a top speed of 312km/h.

Unique to the Porsche 911 GT3 is the fact that it does not use a turbocharger, like most sports cars in its class, instead making do with a 9000rpm redline and a linear power band that is, arguably, best achieved with natural aspiration. 

Also aiding the GT3’s track performance is significant aerodynamic components, rear-wheel steering and a comprehensive suite of electronic driver aids.

In April of 2018, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS set a new lap record of the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife circuit in Germany with a time of 6:56.4. 

Nestled behind the driver is Porsche's 4.0-litre six-cylinder horizontally-opposed engine that produces 383kW of power and 470Nm of torque.

The GT3 nameplate was first introduced in 1999 as the car entered into the FIA GT3 cup.

In an effort to remove any unnecessary weight, Porsche did away with sound deadening, the rear seats and speakers, the sunroof and air conditioning system. 

The car was powered by a 265kW flat-six engine matched with a six-speed manual gearbox, and overall performance was bolstered by enlarged brakes, lowered and enhanced suspension, lightweight wheels, and a new front bumper and rear spoiler for improved aerodynamics.

For those who were planning to take their GT3 to the track, Porsche offered a no-cost ‘Clubsport’ package that included manually adjustable racing bucket seats, a single mass flywheel, a bolt-in roll-cage, six-point racing harness and a fire extinguisher, among other track-focused changes.

The GT3 nameplate was first introduced in 1999 as the car entered into the FIA GT3 cup.

A similar Clubsport package is still offered today on the current GT3 at no cost, while an optional Weissach package gives the GT3 RS magnesium wheels and extra carbon-fibre components for added lightness.

Over two decades since the 911 GT3 nameplate was introduced, the car has seen a number of iterations over three 911 generations.

Porsche is currently readying to release its next generation series of 911 variants, and a new, even higher-performance GT3 is expected to join the line-up sometime next year.