At a time when Porsche is preparing to unveil the first GT model of the new 911, the German brand celebrates the 25th anniversary of the launch of the first Porsche 911 GT3.
The model that marked the beginning of a new era for the sports car manufacturer from Zuffenhausen was presented in March 1999. Porsche unveiled the 911 GT3, with 360 hp, at the Geneva Motor Show. A few months later, the 996 generation of the 911 became available, following in the footsteps of the iconic Carrera RS models. The first GT3 is equipped with a 3.6-liter engine, an evolution of the naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine from the 911 GT1.
The ultimate distinction was awarded to two-time world rally champion Walter Röhrl who, behind the wheel of the sports car, completed the 20.8 km of the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit in under 8 minutes, reaching speeds of 302 km/h. This was the first time a road-legal car achieved such a feat. Seven minutes and 56.7 seconds of intense sound and exceptional high-speed adrenaline, to be more precise. “This is the most exciting thing that Porsche is putting on the road right now”, Röhrl said after managing to go under eight minutes in a production car. “The steering in the GT3 is very precise. This allows us to take all kinds of corners very quickly – I usually only see chassis setups like this in motorsport”.
The iconic sports car has evolved through three generations. Every three or four years, Porsche presents a new evolution, each featuring the best innovations in motorsport. The first product update of the 911 GT3 emerged in 2003 with a power increase of 21 hp. This update was based on the principle of delivering more power and torque with the same displacement and fuel consumption.
Another three years passed before 911 GT3 fans could celebrate higher power figures, exceeding 415 hp, along with a new maximum rev limit of 8400 rpm. In addition to the high-speed concept, Porsche optimized the air intake of the six-cylinder boxer engine of the 911 GT3 from the 997 generation to enhance performance.
For the first time, the sports car from Zuffenhausen was also equipped with an active suspension system featuring Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM).
When the 911 GT3 was updated in 2009, engineers increased the engine displacement to 3.8 liters and boosted the power to 435 hp. To provide an even more intense driving experience, they also improved the chassis components and aerodynamics. For instance, they redesigned the rear wing and fully covered the underside of the body. These measures effectively increased the downforce, more than doubling the contact pressure compared to its predecessor.
Third generation at the 50th anniversary of the Porsche 911
In 2013, the Geneva Motor Show was once again the chosen stage for the presentation of a new generation of the 911 GT3. The third generation of the 911 GT3 arrived with a complete redesign to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 911. The 3.8-liter boxer engine delivered 475 hp, enabling a top speed of 315 km/h. The introduction of the dual-clutch automatic transmission (PDK) in the GT3 was a true revolution, allowing for faster gear shifts and improved performance. Additionally, a new chassis with rear-wheel steering and other aerodynamic enhancements made the 911 GT3 one of the most agile and precise models in the lineup, achieving a lap time around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
It took four years for Porsche to once again surpass itself with the GT3. In this update, the six-cylinder boxer engine grew to 4.0 liters and now produced 500 hp. Furthermore, customers could choose between the PDK automatic transmission and a six-speed manual sports transmission. The latter was particularly appealing to more purist drivers, as was the Touring Package, available as an option, which replaced the fixed rear wing with an automatically extending wing. The aerodynamic tuning and chassis development made the sports car an even more precise and powerful machine.
The current 911 GT3 is based on the 992 generation of the 911. With this sports car, introduced in 2021, Porsche continues the tradition of setting standards in the high-performance sports car segment.
The 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine delivers 510 hp. The model is equipped with innovative technologies adopted from racing, such as the double wishbone front suspension and optimized aerodynamics with a fixed rear wing, making the GT3 one of the most advanced 911s of all time. This generation combines motorsport technology with road homologation in a more powerful way than ever.
Even after 25 years, the 911 GT3 continues to be synonymous with performance and technological innovation, and Porsche continues to progress in order to carry on the successful history of the 911 GT3 with new models and leadership in the technological chapter.
