The 2022 Porsche 911 GT3 Keeps the Naturally Aspirated Dream Alive

The latest generation Porsche 911 followed the trend set by 911s in its past: It performed better than its predecessor. With the looming performance variants lightly hidden from the public, people were right to wonder what was coming down the pipeline for the 992-generation 911. Well, it’s finally official: the Porsche 911 GT3 is coming, soon. Porsche pulled the covers off its new GT3 variant of the 911 in a live-streamed presentation. It shouldn’t be a surprise that the 911 GT3 is promising next-level performance.

For Porsche purists, there is good news at the rear. Powering the 911 GT3 is a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer mill, which is effectively carried over from the previous generation 911 GT3. The 4.0-liter boxer makes 503 hp, which travels through either a six-speed manual transmission or Porsche’s seven-speed PDK to the rear wheels. With the PDK, Porsche claims a respectable 3.2-second 0-60 time and a 198-mph top speed.

While the powertrain is largely carried over, that doesn’t mean that Porsche hasn’t pushed the new GT3 to new performance heights. The most noteworthy change is at the front axle: the double-wishbone suspension. Inspired by the 911 RSR race car, this double-wishbone front suspension should give the driver better wheel control at the car’s limit. Rear-wheel steering is also standard on the upcoming GT3.

Porsche also put the new GT3 on a serious diet to help maximize its performance. The automaker shaved weight by switching the engine cover, trunk lid, and optional top panel to carbon fiber. The GT3 also gets lighter carpet, brakes, exhaust, and a more lightweight glass to help trim a few pounds off the total curb weight. According to Porsche, the new GT3 weighs 3,126 pounds with a manual and 3,163 pounds with the PDK.

Porsche did significant aero work with the car, too. At the rear, there’s the unmistakable wing. According to Porsche, that wing creates 50 percent more downforce than the previous GT3. Underneath, there’s the equally impressive rear diffuser which Porsche claims quadruples the downforce from the previous generation. There’s also a front splitter that helps navigate air underneath the chassis of the new 911 as efficiently as possible.

All of these upgrades sound great on paper, but how exactly do they improve the GT3’s performance? Porsche took their latest GT3 to the Nürburgring to lay down a lap. The new 911 GT3 lapped the Nordschleife in 6:59.927. The under-seven-second lap around the ‘Ring is impressive by any metric, let alone for a road-going 911.

This new Porsche is heading to your local dealer this May. Porsche hasn’t mentioned a price, but we expect the new generation GT3 to start in the neighborhood of $150,000.

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