The benchmark circuit for any serious, well-rounded world sports car is the 20.8 km long Nürburgring Nordschleife. And with a fastest-ever lap time of 6:59.927 (6:55.2 on the 20.6km version), the newest, seventh-generation Porsche 911 GT3 has most emphatically checked that item off the list– with Porsche development driver Lars Kern and brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister both repeatedly achieving consistency around the 'ring. Some 17 seconds faster than its predecessor, and about a minute faster than the very first GT3, today’s new GT3 is light years ahead in terms of overall pace. How was this meteoric progress achieved? Earlier today we learned all about it on the World Premiere Livestream. In case you missed it, let’s delve into the details!

The benchmark circuit for any serious, well-rounded world sports car is the 20.8 km long Nürburgring Nordschleife. And with a fastest-ever lap time of 6:59.927 (6:55.2 on the 20.6km version), the newest, seventh-generation Porsche 911 GT3 has most emphatically checked that item off the list

See Lars Kern set the actual fastest ever lap here:

The Porsche 911 GT3 was first introduced in 1999, during the 996 model era with a 3.6-litre engine. And with Walter Röhrl at the wheel, this 356hp car managed the World’s first sub-8 minute production car run around the German circuit, a.k.a. the ‘Green Hell’. The next iterations came in 2006 (409hp, 997 3.8), 2013 (469hp, 3.8) and in 2015 (494hp, 4.0). Today, we’re looking at a seemingly moderate increase in power with 503hp (510 PS) and 346.7 ft-lb (470 Nm) on tap from the latest 9000rpm 4.0-litre powerplant– also found in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Car– complete with six individual throttle bodies with flow-regulating valves. In addition to the revised 7-speed PDK dual clutch transmission, a 6-speed manual is also available, with dynamic auto-blip function that makes for smoother shifts without needing to heel and toe. In just 3.4 seconds, the new GT3 will rocket to 100km/h or 62mph (3.9s manual), then hurtle to 200km/h in just 10.8 seconds (11.9s manual) before topping out at 320km/h (318km/h PDK). 

As you may have deduced by now, the new Porsche 911 GT3 is more than just a car with a great racing-bred engine. Significant strides have been made in downforce without noticeably affecting the car’s drag coefficient. The manually adjustable swan-neck mounted rear wing and the front and rear diffusers allow the GT3 to achieve higher cornering speeds. In delivery setting, the new 911 GT3 achieves 50 per cent more downforce than the outgoing model and can be increased to 150 per cent at 200km/h in the circuit-only performance aero configuration. Naturally, the car’s underbody is fully clad. 

...the new GT3 will rocket to 100km/h or 62mph (3.9s manual), then hurtle to 200km/h in just 10.8 seconds (11.9s manual) before topping out at 320km/h (318km/h PDK). 

In delivery setting, the new 911 GT3 achieves 50 per cent more downforce than the outgoing model and can be increased to 150 per cent at 200km/h in the circuit-only performance aero configuration.

The optional Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres also provide an additional advantage. Greater cornering and articulation precision is achieved with additional ball joints for the lower wishbones at the rear, along with special shock absorbers and performance-tuned rear wheel steering. Up front a redeveloped double wishbone setup has been adopted from the Le Mans-winning 911 RSR, providing superb agility, excellent turn-in and more predictable handling. The front axle lift system and rear steering also make the car easier to navigate through everyday situations such as humps, dips and tighter parking spots. 

Despite having a wider body and a multitude of technical improvements, overall weight is on par with the outgoing model– a herculean task in itself coming in at 1418kg for the manual gearbox version and 1435kg for the PDK. The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) front bonnet, lightweight glass windows, a lightweight starter battery, larger (408mm vs. 380mm) but lighter brake discs and forged light-alloy wheels with centre-locks ensure all-round weight savings, as does the cover for the rear seat compartment.

A CFRP roof is also an option. The new lightweight sports exhaust system shaves a further ten kilograms while the infinitely adjustable built-in flaps enhance the engine’s concert-performance soundtrack. Emissions are also in line with Euro 6 specifications (EU6 AP) while fuel economy in a mixed driving cycle is estimated to be around 18mpg for the manual and 19mpg on the PDK. 

Despite having a wider body and a multitude of technical improvements, overall weight is on par with the outgoing model...

Inside you can now put the dashboard’s screen into track mode. This reduces the digital displays to the left and right of the central 10,000rpm tachometer, and highlights information such as tyre pressure levels, oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel tank level and water temperature– all vital when driving on a circuit. A visual shift assistant with coloured bars to the left and right of the tachometer and a shift light as per usual in racing cars help you determine optimal gearshift points. 

Inside you can now put the dashboard’s screen into track mode. 

The Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur range is available for the new 911 GT3, supplemented by GT3-specific options such as a lightweight roof made of exposed carbon fibre. Other highlights include exterior mirror tops made of carbon, darkened LED matrix main headlights and matching Exclusive design rear lights with an arc of light with no red components. Guards Red or Shark Blue painted wheel rims enhance the black alloy wheels.

Inside, equipment details such as the dials for the tachometer and Sport Chrono stopwatch, seatbelts and trim strips can provide elegant accents in the body colour or another desired colour.

...ask about the Clubsport package, which now consists of the rear-mounted certified roll cage, a six-point racing harness for the driver, a motorsport-grade hand held fire extinguisher as well as a battery disconnect switch.

Seasoned Porsche enthusiasts will also want to ask about the Clubsport package, which now consists of the rear-mounted certified roll cage, a six-point racing harness for the driver, a motorsport-grade hand held fire extinguisher as well as a battery disconnect switch. The best news is that this is now a no-cost option. We have no current information on the GT3s exact baseline cost and local availability just yet but we will be sure to update you the moment one arrives at the Porsche Centre Trinidad & Tobago. According to the press release, the new Porsche 911 GT3 is now available for order at the different Porsche Centers in Latin America and the Caribbean and will be available in the second quarter of 2021. You can customize the Porsche 911 GT3 of your dreams in the Porsche Car Configurator.

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