The New Porsche 911 GT3 (2013)

The new Porsche 911 GT3 has gone on sale in the UK priced £100,540 with the first RHD deliveries expected in November 2013. Since 1999 there have been four generations of the GT3 and a total of 14,145 cars have been sold with 80% of owners using their cars on the track.

The new fifth generation 911 GT3 is powered by a bespoke 3.8 flat engine which develops 475 hp at 8,250 rpm which will propel it from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds and then on to a top speed of 195 mph.

The GT3 is mated to lighter weight version of the PDK double-clutch gearbox with shorter ratios than its predecessor and it equipped with Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV Plus) as standard on the rear axle. The PDK transmission has two modes: manual shifting or the adaptive shift programme. Manual shifting is achieved using two paddles on the steering wheel, the left-hand for upshifts and the right-hand for downshifts or you can shift using the selector lever, with a shift pattern based on that used in professional motor sports: shifting up is done by pulling the lever back, shifting down by pushing it forward.

The PDK box features a ‘paddle-neutral’ function. If the driver pulls both shift paddles simultaneously, the clutches of the PDK are opened, and the flow of power between the engine and drive is cut off. Once both shift paddles are released, the clutch engages very rapidly if the PSM is switched off. With PSM switched on, the clutch is closed quickly, but in a less pulsed manner.

The new 911 GT3 chassis is largely a new design based on the chassis of the 911 Carrera but lowered by 30mm. The chassis sees an extended wheelbase and wider track width to improve the support base and stability. The new GT3 runs on forged aluminium 20” inch wheels with 9 J x 20” wheels with 245/35 ZR 20 sports tyres on the front axle, and 12 J x 20” wheels with 305/30 ZR sport tyres on the rear.

Standard equipment includes sports seats finished in Alcantara and leatherette, standard equipment includes automatic climate control, Bi-Xenon headlights, a universal audio interface offering MP3 connectivity.

Key options include Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB) £6,248 (ouch), LED headlights incorporating Porsche Dynamic Light System £1,926 and a front axle lifting system £2,023. The Club Sport package, comprising a half roll-cage, multi-point harness seat belts, fire extinguisher and battery cut-out switch is of course available.