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It's something of a ritual, really, and it dates back to the 964: Whenever Porsche changes the 911, the first reaction from the purists (and, let's admit it, the press too) is that it has somehow lost something of the previous model's character. Never mind that this “character” sometimes felt like killing you…

Imagine what’s going to happen now that Stuttgart has tampered with one of the holy cows in the 911 ziggurat…

The venerable GT3 no longer uses the old Mezger unit (which also powered the Turbo), and now comes with an electrically assisted power steering, while adding insult to injury, you can have any gearbox you like as long as it’s the updated dual-clutch PDK semi-auto.

Well, at least the flat-six engine's still in the right/wrong (delete as appropriate) place, there’s a fixed rear wing, twin center exhausts, huge wheels housing equally big stoppers and a big, menacing bumper up front.

Porsche has just released its first video containing driving footage of the 991-gen GT3 that is available after the break. It may be short but it’s mostly action – which, we suspect, is what anyone interested in the new, 469HP GT3 wants to see.

Articles Source : Carscoop

As far as celebrating a golden anniversary goes, we'd say that Porsche got Lamborghini licked. While the Italian manufacturer chose to mark its 50th anniversary by launching an ultra-expensive, outrageously styled version of the Aventador that will be made in just three examples, its German “relative”, since they both belong to the VW Group, celebrated the 50th birthday of the 911 by unveiling the new GT3.

This is the fifth model to wear the GT3 badge since the 996-series original. All the “right” parts are present and accounted for: the fixed rear wing, single-lock alloys, istinctive front bumper with air vents on the bonnet, wide rear wings (by 44 mm compared to the Carrera S). Under the skin, though, it's very different from what has gone before.

Instead of the race-derived “split” crankcase “Metzger” engine, named after Hans Metzger who designed it for the 964 air-cooled series, the 991-based GT3 is powered by an evolution of the DFI (Direct Fuel Injection) 3.8-liter flat-six that's used in the regular Carrera S.

Porsche claims that the two units only share a few parts, as most components, such as the crankshaft, valve gear, titanium connecting rods and forged pistons are unique to the GT3.

The new engine revs to 9,000 rpm, 500 more than the 997-gen GT3, and boasts 469HP (475PS) and a power to weight ratio of 3.0 kg/HP. This enables it to record a 3.5-second 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time and a top speed of 315 km/h (195 mph), while 0-200 km/h (0-125 mph) takes less than 12 seconds.

Oh, and it laps the Nordschleife in “under 7:30”. That’s fast, if you consider that in Porsche-conducted tests, the GT2 recorded a 7:32.0 lap time and the Carrera GT 7:28.0 – both with WRC champion Walter Röhrl behind the wheel…

Another break with tradition is the use of electrically-assisted power steering and a dual-clutch gearbox instead of a manual transmission. Although the seven-speed PDK is based on the existing unit used by lesser 911s, Porsche Motorsport has redesigned it to resemble the sequential units used in racing cars and changes occur in less than 100 milliseconds.

The all-new 911 GT3 is the first Porsche to use active rear wheel steering. This steers the rear wheels in the same or opposite direction compared to the front ones depending on speed to improve both stability and agility.

The GT3 rides on 20-inch alloys and its suspension can be adjusted by height, toe and camber. Dynamic engine mounts are standard, as is an electronically controlled rear differential lock.

Porsche announced that the new 911 GT3 will go on sale in August 2013 and will be priced at €137,303 (US$178,856 at today’s exchange rate) in Germany.

Although it looks delicious, the break with tradition is too extensive: electric steering, DFI engine, no manual gearbox, rear-wheel steer… it’s a bit too much and it takes time for all to sink in.

Luckily, Evo magazine’s Jethro Bovingdon interviewed Porsche Motorsport manager Andreas Preuninger about the new GT3 – and the latter explained all the changes in great detail.

What’s more, he insists that, despite being an all-new car, it delivers the goods one has come to expect from the hardcore version of the 911.

Articles Source : Carscoop

What we have here is the first batch of official images of the all-new, 991-generation, Porsche 911 GT3, revealed in advance of the car's world premiere at 83rd Geneva International Auto Show in Switzerland this Tuesday.

We're still lacking official details, but from what we've heard, the new 911 GT3 will feature a high-revving normally aspirated flat six with a displacement of 3.8-liters producing around 450-horses (about 50hp more than the new 911 Carrera S) connected for the first time to Porsche's dual-clutch PDK transmission, instead of a manual gearbox (though, it could be offered as an option).

The most focused 991 model yet, sports a new exterior bodykit with a lowered front bumper featuring a lip spoiler that wraps up to the wheel arches, different mirrors and headlamps, side skirts, a bespoke rear bumper with a diffuser and central exhaust pipes, plus a rear wing and its own alloy wheels.

The interior of the GT3 is dressed in a combination of black leather and Alcantara surfaces accented with red stitching.

Stay tuned, as we'll update this post as soon as we get an official word from Porsche.

Articles Source : Carscoop