Now this guy has patience. Take two GT3 racecars, a Porsche 911 and a Dodge Viper, put them on the track and wait to see what happens. As the onboard footage from the V10 powered piece of American iron shows, the Viper driver chased down the German flat six for almost 10 minutes before making his move.
In the world of high-performance sports cars you can never have enough. There is no such thing as enough power, enough handling and enough speed. The German backwards engineered sports car maker Porsche knows this all too well. That is exactly why they are always refining their vehicles, like this GT3 RS seen lapping the ‘Ring.
Just over a week ago the Nissan GT-R lapped the 12.9 mile loop of the Nurburgring in 7m 27.56s not only beating their previous record setting run, but also besting the Carrera GT’s time of 7m 28.71s. Porsche was not happy about this, so the Stuttgart based sports car maker brought out their track based model in an attempt to set a record of their own around the German race track. Unfortunately the Porsche GT3 was only able to clock a lap time of 7m and 40s with their ringer Walter Rohrl behind the wheel.
Present at the same testing session, Ferrari was able to achieve a lap time of 7m 45s in their F-430 Scuderia, but it is the German automaker that was left with a sour taste in their mouths claiming the Nissan is incapable of doing better than the 7m 54s they managed with the Japanese giant killer last year.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a pure driving machine. For 2010 the car features an improved suspension and refined aerodynamics. The new GT3 also received a face lift. The front bumper was redesigned with larger intakes for improved airflow and a new lip spoiler to keep air from travelling underneath the tail happy Porsche.
The 911 GT3 will make its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show in April. The very first example to be sold (priced at $112,200) in the U.S. will be auctioned off for charity. The money raised from the auction will be used to support ESH college preparation programs and a state-of-the-art computer technology center for the residents of Mott Haven in the South Bronx.
The new 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 surpasses the previous model in performance with a larger 3.8-liter, 6-cylinder Boxer engine that features a boost in midrange torque, offering a dramatic increase in everyday driving performance. The limited-edition GT3 accelerates to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and reaches a top track speed of 194 mph. The latest GT3 also receives updates to the suspension, refined aerodynamics with a 100% increase in downforce and new, larger brakes.
Porsche revealed today new video of the new 911 GT3 that we’ll see in the flesh in March at the Geneva Motor Show. The 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that develops maximum output of 435 bhp, up 20 bhp over its predecessor. The new GT3 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds and reaches 100 mph in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is 194 mph.
Porsche revealed today the facelifted, and more importantly, more powerful version of the 911 GT3. We’ll be there to see it make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, and then U.S. sales will begin in October at a price of $112,200.
The 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8-liter six-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine that develops maximum output of 435 bhp, up 20 bhp over its predecessor. The new GT3 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds and reaching 160 km/h (100 mph) in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is 312 km/h or 194 mph.
For the first time the 911 GT3 comes with a particularly sporting variant of PSM Porsche Stability Management, offering the option to deactivate both Stability Control (SC) and Traction Control (TC) in separate steps.
The new GT3 offers even better grip and stability also at high speeds, specific modifications of the car’s aerodynamics increasing down-forces both front and rear to such an extent that the overall pressure pushing down the car is more than twice as great as on the former model. At the same time the new Aerodynamics Package gives the GT3 a brand-new look further accentuated by the new bi-xenon headlights, LED rear light clusters, as well as modified air intakes and outlets.
The GT3 holds an interesting place in the lineup because it is the fastest naturally-aspired car Porsche makes (aside from the track-only GT3 RSR), and some drivers prefer the GT3 over turbo models. This GT3 makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in four seconds and has a top speed of 194 mph. This represents only 0.3 of a second slower to 60 mph and is one mile per hour faster than the current 911 Turbo. Some of Porsche’s professional drivers have felt that the marginal power loss was worth the predictability that was gained by having a non-turbo engine.
The world is an unfair place. While most of us save every penny to possibly purchase a Porsche 911, there are others out there who just take the little coupe racing. For those select few, the bar may have just been raised. Porsche revealed the 2009 911 GT3 RSR.
Compared to last year’s model, this RSR has a redesigned front end with large air outlets on the front hood. Also, the aerodynamics and air ducts were redesigned for better air flow, the rear wing is more adjustable, and the body and some interior materials (like wiring harnesses) are lighter than the 2008 GT3 RSR.
Oh and one other thing...the engine capacity has been increased from 3.8 to 4.0-litres. Oddly enough the engine now delivers around 450 hp at 7,800 rpm, which is about 15 hp less than last year (465 hp at the higher 8,000 rpm) and develops a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 7,250 rpm, which is the same as 2008. The aerodynamics and weight loss must be what keeps this car competitive because Porsche still calls it "the quickest 911". (To Porsche: we may be willing to let you hand us the keys to the 2008 and 2009 cars for a head-to-head to settle this.)
The 2009 911 GT3 RSR starts out at €380,000 (about $494,000 at current rates). At that kind of pricing Porsche must know this car goes to a well heeled clientele, because this car now comes with one very race unfriendly compromise: optional air conditioning.
Can’t afford a afford a Porsche GT3 RS? or just sick of telling people the color of your Porsche GT3 RS and wish there was something that could represent it it? Do you walk a lot?
For the person who has everything but taste, now there is a company called Purchaze that has mimicked the color scheme from the high performance 911. If you do purchase a pair of these Nike Air Max shoes, you will at least be in good company. The maintenance team from one of Porsche’s racing crews will also be sporting these kicks.
It’s time for a little Wednesday afternoon fun. A while back it was Lamborghini Reventon vs. Fighter Jet, now its Porsche 911 GT3 (996) vs helicopter. Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell has got a really cool job. Although the clip is a little old, it still is a lot of fun.
As we wait for the 998 generation to show up in 2011, there’s still plenty to enjoy from the 997-era Porsche 911s. Because the 997 is still going through its minor facelift, Porsche is keeping the spy photographers happy. The refreshed Carrera and Targa have already hit the streets, and now we see the tweaks to the GT3 RS. Although we won’t see the car until next year, its obvious the GT3 RS gets the same tweaks as the lesser 911s such as LED daytime lights and revised bumpers.
One important element that will carryover from the current GT3 RS is the engine. Power will come from the same 415bhp 3.6-liter flat six-cylinder engine, which will allow it to hit 193mph and accelerate from 0-60mph in around four seconds.