And then I plonk myself into the very last
GT3 with a manual gearbox, the very last GT3 with the GT1-based motor, here
with 429bhp from a swept capacity up to 3797cc. Maybe the very last GT3 that
911 bores (that’s Henry. Ok, and me) will consider a real GT3. Although I really
hope not. Anyway, it’s utterly, wildly, madly and intoxicatingly brilliant.
Like the Gen 2 996 it sacrifices a little suppleness but in its place there’s
just more. Take your pick – performance, stability, grip, adjustability,
traction… it’s another great leap onwards and upwards. Here’s the key, though:
for all the added pace and grip, the 3.8 still challenges and involves, still
asks you to bring every bit of skill you’ve got to the driver’s seat and still
dances to any tune you want to play. In a world of cynical forum commentators
it’s unfashionable to talk about feel and involvement (‘Ha – he said
“involvement”, what a pretentious twat’ etc) but I defy anyone to drive this
thing and not feel absolutely at the center of things.
Catchpole
thinks the original GT3 remains the most desirable of all
What doesn’t it do well? Not much. There
are occasions when it feels a little too stiff compared to the Gen 1. There are
plenty more when you wish it had shorter gearing (like the RS version) so you
could enjoy the crazed rush to the limiter more readily, and on a warmer,
bone-dry day I think it’s fair to say that the masses of grip can prevent you
from experiencing its full repertoire at sub-supersonic speeds. Such is the way
of things and certainly a 996 GT3 driver will feel like they can exercise their
car more easily and less conspicuously (the 3.8 sounds like a Cup car, the
flat-six howl audible for miles in Sport mode) at semi-legal speed (not sure
this term is permissible in court). However, the quality of the ceramic braked
is astounding, the steering feel and response is joyous, the way you can
disable the stability control to play with the weight distribution but keep the
traction control engaged is a stroke of genius. Then there’s the improved control
thanks to active engine mounts, which work particularly well on track. It just
feels like every detail has been hone with meticulous car and understanding.
It’s snowing, blowing a gale and we’ve been
up for what feels like day by the time the camera’s shutter clicks for the last
time. This has not been the day, you might think, for track-focused 911s to
shine. Yet they have, each car bringing something unique to the GT3 family and
each one fully deserved of the iconic status. I’m awed by Porsche’s pace of
development rather than a natural process of evolution.
The original GT3 is as good as we dared to
remember, perhaps even better, its compact dimensions, suppleness and
accessible limits make it a perfect match to UK roads. The later 996 is
unquestionably faster and it brings a real edge to the GT3 experience. I adore
its engine and its physicality. However, the 997s are more exciting. They’re
sabre-sharp and just wickedly fast. I know speed isn’t everything but when it’s
backed up with such quality it makes for a more thrilling experience. White or
blue? Hmm, my sensible head says the suppler Gen 1 but don’t come much more
intense.
Technical specifications
Porsche 996.1 GT3
The
original GT3 arrived in 1999, it's 3.6 liter flat-six producing a claimed 360bhp.
Wheels were 18 inches in diameter
·
Price when new: $114,750 (1999)
·
Value today: $45,000-52,500
·
Engine: Flat-six, 3600cc
·
Power: 360bhp @ 7200rpm
·
Torque: 273lb ft @ 5000rpm
·
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel
drive, limited-slip diff
·
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil
springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Rear suspension: Multi-link, coil springs,
dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Brakes: ventilated discs, 330mm front and rear,
ABS
·
Wheels: 8 x 18in front, 10 x 18in rear
·
Tires: 225/40/ZR18 fr, 285/30 ZR18 rear
·
Weight (kerb): 1350kg
·
Power-to-weight: 271bhp/ton
·
0-62mph: 4.8sec (claimed)
·
Top speed: 187mph (claimed)
Porsche 996.2 GT3
The
second GT3 was launched in 2003. Power rose to a claimed 375bhp. Wheels
remained 18s, although rears were an inch wider
·
Price when new: $109,125 (2003)
·
Value today: $52,500-60,000
·
Engine: Flat-six, 3600cc
·
Power: 375bhp @ 7400rpm
·
Torque: 284lb ft @ 5000rpm
·
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel
drive, limited-slip diff
·
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil
springs, dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Rear suspension: Multi-link, coil springs,
dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Brakes: ventilated discs, 360mm front, 330mm
rear, ABS
·
Wheels: 8 x 18in front, 11 x 18in rear
·
Tires: 235/40/ZR18 fr, 295/30 ZR18 rear
·
Weight (kerb): 1380kg
·
Power-to-weight: 272bhp/ton
·
0-62mph: 4.5sec (claimed)
·
Top speed: 190mph (claimed)
Porsche 997.1 GT3 specs
Third
GT3 emerged in 2007, with 409bhp, still from 3.6 liters. Traction control and
PASM joined the spec. Wheels now 19s
·
Price when new: $119,310 (2007)
·
Value today: $75,000-82,500
·
Engine: Flat-six, 3600cc
·
Power: 409bhp @ 7600rpm
·
Torque: 298lb ft @ 5500rpm
·
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel
drive, limited-slip diff
·
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil
springs, PASM dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Rear suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, PASM
dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Brakes: ventilated discs, 380mm front, 350mm
rear, ABS, EBD
·
Wheels: 8.5 x 19in front, 12 x 19in rear
·
Tires: 235/35/ZR19 fr, 305/30 ZR19 rear
·
Weight (kerb): 1395kg
·
Power-to-weight: 298bhp/ton
·
0-62mph: 4.3sec (claimed)
·
Top speed: 192mph (claimed)
Porsche 997.2 GT3 specs
Fourth
GT3 appeared in 2009. Engine grew to 3.8 liters (see wing ends), 429bhp was the
result. 19in wheels now center-locking
·
Price when new: $122,871 (2009)
·
Value today: $105,000-112,500
·
Engine: Flat-six, 3797cc
·
Power: 429bhp @ 7600rpm
·
Torque: 317lb ft @ 5500rpm
·
Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel
drive, limited-slip diff
·
Front suspension: MacPherson struts, coil
springs, PASM dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Rear suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, PASM
dampers, anti-roll bar
·
Brakes: ventilated discs, 380mm front, 350mm
rear, ABS, EBD (PCCB optional)
·
Wheels: 8.5 x 19in front, 12 x 19in rear
·
Tires: 235/35/ZR19 fr, 305/30 ZR19 rear
·
Weight (kerb): 1395kg
·
Power-to-weight: 312bhp/ton
·
0-62mph: 4.1sec (claimed)
·
Top speed: 194mph (claimed)
