Porsche’s naturally-aspirated track weapon will be priced from $369,700 before on-road costs in Australia.
The 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 touches down in Australia during the second half of 2021, with order books now open.
Power comes from a 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine with 375kW of power and a 9000rpm redline, good for a 3.4-second sprint to 100km/h with the seven-speed PDK transmission fitted.
The engine is derived from the unit in the 911 R endurance racer, and is actually used in the 911 Cup car with minimal changes.
“It’s definitely the same engine that we use in the Cup car,” said Andreas Preuninger, Porsche GT boss.
“There are slight differences. We have a different engine management system, a race car’s engine management system, and we have a different exhaust on the car because you don’t need particulate filters or catalysts, or noise-restricting dampers in the race car.
“Other than that, this is exactly the same engine. Same part number, same everything.”
A six-speed manual is also available, after it was returned to the 911 GT3 options list with the 991.2 model and its de-winged Touring cousin.
With the PDK fitted the 911 GT3 will hit 318km/h flat out, while the manual stretches that to 320km/h. Advantage purists…
Although it’s bigger than before, has more technology than before, and is more powerful than before, the 2021 GT3 tips the scales at 1418kg with a manual or 1435kg with the dual-clutch transmission.
The bonnet is made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic, while lightweight glass windows, forged alloy wheels, a lightweight sports exhaust, and the rear seat delete all help slash weight.
The engine isn’t the only thing derived from motorsports. Porsche says the aero package on the 911 GT3 borrows heavily from racing, from the adjustable swan-neck rear spoiler to the more effective diffuser.
It’ll lap the 20.8km Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:59.2 with Lars Kern behind the wheel, more than 17 seconds faster than its predecessor, when equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres.
Inside, the compact shaver-style shifter from the regular 911 has been replaced with a proper gear selector in PDK models.
It allows the driver to bash through the gears with push for down, pull for up shifts if they don’t want to use the paddles.
The GT3 debuts a new, more focused track display for the digital instruments in the 911.
Standard equipment in Australia includes:
- Metallic paint
- Tinted LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System Plus
- Auto-dimming mirrors with rain sensor
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing camera
- Front axle lift
- Tyre sealant and air compressor
- DAB+ digital radio
