Image: Porsche Media
The 992 generation of Porsche's 911 sports car was met with some form of controversy upon initial impressions. The fact they no longer made a narrow body and that it was considered to be a bit of a fat pudding in comparison to the previous 991.
But nevertheless, people grew to the 911 again and just this week, a new GT3 was revealed with a screamer of a 4.0 litre flat six making 503bhp and revving up to 9,000 rpm.
But what's more astonishing than the engineering of the car itself is just how quick it is around one of the world's most daunting circuits, the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where the GT3 just clocked a time of 6 minutes and 59 seconds.
It doesn't take an expert to realise that's only two seconds off Porsche's last mental hypercar, the hybrid 918 Spyder. Golly...
Image: Porsche Media
So, how on earth was this achieved in a car that develops far less horsepower than the 918 and only a nudge more than its 991 predecessor - by which it beat on the 'Ring by a massive 17 seconds!? In short, it comes down to engineering refinement.
Firstly, despite the wider body, it weighs the same as the 991, but Porsche have consistently worked on the finer aspects other than outright power. The aerodynamics have been massively reformed in the 992 to allow more of a GT3 Cup experience than the previous generation. The added downforce undoubtedly allows for better handling and for the driver to enter them a lot harder and a lot faster. None of the new aerodynamics affect the drag coefficient, according to Porsche.
Image: Porsche Media
It is perhaps notable to mention that the car used on the lap was running on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres which are usually specific for serious track use. Nevertheless, Porsche's brand ambassador driving the car, Jörg Bergmeister, says that the GT3 was 'by far the best production car' he had ever taken out.
The more eagle-eyed of you will point out that this is by no means a 'Ring record. In fact, that is currently held by Mercedes Benz with the AMG GT Black Series which lapped the Nordschleife in 6:43 minutes. Although it would be valid to speculate that once Porsche unveils their ultimate 911 - i.e. a new GT2 RS - then that time by the Merc will be challenged.
Image: Porsche Media
Prices for the new GT3 are expected to start from circa £120,000 before options. That is of course, before demand overflows and they start selling for above list. But nevertheless, this will be right in the firing line of the Mercedes AMG GT-R, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Honda's under-the-radar NSX.
But if the prospective buyer was to wait for another year or two, then the upcoming GT3 RS could be ever so more tempting for track use. Or if you fancy more of a road goer, then a new GT3 Touring might arrive sooner or later.
Image: Porsche Media.
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