The Porsche 911->ke282 started its run back in 1963 - and oh what a run it is -, but it wasn't until 1999 that a GT3->ke617 version was offered up for our ravenous consumption. It came to complete the series of performance vehicles that started back in 1973 with the 911 RS, a model that was capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and to 100 mph in 13 seconds. Why the short history lesson? Well, the new generation GT3 has just made its world debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and would be nice to make a comparison between the things that were and the things to come.

The new GT3 is lighter and more powerful than the model it replaces, and it brings innovative features like the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche. There is a bad news too unfortunately: the new GT3 will only be offered with a PDK transmission - at least for now!

Updated 09/16/2014: Porsche unveiled a new video showing the new 911 GT3 in action on the track. Enjoy!

Hit the jump to read more about the next generation Porsche GT3.

2014 Porsche 911 GT3

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2014 Porsche 911 GT3
  • Engine/Motor: flat-6
  • Horsepower: 475 @ 8250
  • Torque: 324 @ 6250
  • Transmission: PDK
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Update History

Update 05/20/2013: Porsche has unveiled a new video further detailing the GT3's technical highlights. Enjoy!

Update 6/14/2013: Chris Harris was one of the first journalists to get his hands on the all-new 2014 911 GT3. As always, he released a video with his full review. Check it out, after the jump.

Exterior

Like with all the other models in the 911 lineup, the GT3 will get a new exterior design language, but Porsche's main focus on the vehicle will be to reduce its overall weight.

The new GT3 will be built on the same hybrid steel-aluminum construction used in the current generation 911 Carrera, but it adds a series of independent front and rear parts. When compared to a standard Carrera, the new GT3 version is about 44 mm (1.73 inches) wider and will add a sportier exterior look with the most striking addition being that large, fixed rear wing.

Exterior Specifications

Wheelbase

96.7 in.

Overall length

178.9 in.

Width

72.9 in. (without mirrors)

Front track

61 in.

Rear track

61.2 in.

Height

49.96 in.

Curb weight

3,152.6 lbs.

Perm. Total weight

3,792 lbs.

Luggage capacity

Front 4.41 cubic ft.; Rear 9.2 cubic ft.

Fuel tank capacity

16.9 gallons (optional 23.8 gallons)


Interior

Porsche offered no details on the new 911 GT3's interior, but the first image it has dropped reveals new Recaro sports seats, a three-spoke steering wheel and the intensive use of Alcantara. Porsche will also be offering an optional Clubsport package that adds a roll cage.

Drivetrain

Under the new 911 GT3 Porsche's hood, is a 3.8-liter, boxer engine that delivers a total of 475 horsepower and sprints the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds and up to a top speed of 195 mph.

The GT3's engine is based on the one used in the new 911 Carrera S, but it gets a modified crankshaft and valve gear, plus titanium connecting rods and forged pistons. These updates allow the engine to rev seamlessly to 9,000 rpm.

The engine is mated to a Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) that sends power to the rear wheels through a new high-traction rear-wheel-drive system.

All these updates have helped the GT3 to score new performance records, including a 7-minute 30-second Nürburgring Nordschleife run.

Drivetrain Specifications

Engine Concept

Water-cooled six-cylinder boxer engine

Construction

Aluminum engine block and cylinder heads

Valvetrain

Four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VarioCam), hydraulic valve clearance compensation, direct fuel injection, a three-way catalytic converter per cylinder bank, each with two oxygen sensors, electronic ignition with solid ignition distribution (six active ignition modules).

Intake System

Direct fuel injection

Lubrication

Dry Sump

Electrical System

12 volt, three-phase generator; 2,100 W; battery 95 Ah, 520 A

Fuel

Premium

Bore

102.0 mm

Stroke

77.5 mm

Displacement

3.8 liters

Maximum Horsepower

475 horsepower at 8,250 RPM

Maximum Torque

324 pound-feet at 6,250 RPM

Compression ratio

12.9:1

Engine redline

9000 rpm

Output per liter

125 horsepower

Drivetrain

Rear-wheel drive

Transmission

Engine and transmission bolted together to form one drive unit, seven-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) with controlled rear axle differential lock and PTV Plus.

0-60 mph

3.3 seconds

Top track speed

195 mph


Suspensions and brakes

For the first time, the GT3 will be offered with active rear-wheel steering that will help it deliver higher precision and lateral dynamics. The GT3 will also be offered with electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock and an all-aluminum chassis that can be adjusted by height, toe and camber.

The GT3 will also be offered with new 20-inch, forged alloy wheels with central locking and combined with high-performance ceramic brakes.

Suspension Specifications

Front Suspension

Front: strut suspension (McPherson type, Porsche optimized) with individually mounted on control arms, trailing arms and spring struts wheels, cylindrical coil springs with internal dampers, electromechanical power steering

Rear Suspension

Multi-arm axle with single wheels run on five arms; cylindrical coil springs with co-axial inner vibration, active rear. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with electronically controlled dampers and two manually selectable maps

Steering Ratio

Variable

Turning Circle

36.4 feet

Brakes

Dual circuit system with achsweiser division; Porsche Stability Management (PSM), vacuum brake booster; electrically operated duo-servo parking brake, auto-hold function. Front: six-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers, perforated and internally ventilated brake discs with 380 mm diameter and 34 mm thickness. Rear: four-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers, perforated and internally ventilated brake discs with 380 mm diameter and 30 mm thickness.

Wheels

9Jx20 front, 12Jx20 rear

Tires

245/35 ZR 20 front, 305/30 ZR 20 rear


Driving Impression

Chris Harris always tells it best when it comes to how a sports car, like the GT3, drives. Apparently, he is in love with the active four-wheel steering that Porsche added to the GT3. It keeps the car in control but allows for that little bit of controlled oversteer that you need to get through those tight hairpin turns. Check out the above video for his full driving impression.

Prices

The 2014 911 GT3 will go on sale in the United States late in 2013 and will be priced from $130,400.

Competition

Despite the numerous updates announced for the next GT3, it will still have a very long list of competitors to defeat, all of them being serious competitors that should definitely be taken under consideration.

Mercedes SLS AMG GT

The SLS AMG GT is powered by a 6.3-liter V-8 engine that develops 591 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph is made in 3.7 seconds.

Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia is powered by a 4.5 Liter V8 engine that produces 570 horsepower and a sprint from 0 to 60mph in just 3.4 seconds.

As you can see both models are considerably more powerful than the GT3, but in the same time both are much more expensive than the Porsche model: the SLS GT is priced at almost $200k and the Ferrari goes up to more than $250k.

Conclusion

The new Porsche 911 GT3 can offer a cheaper alternative for customers looking for a track machine. It looks great and with all the updates made to the current generation we can easily say it is our favorite Porsche model.