Porsche 911 GT3 launched – 475bhp, 3.1s 0-100kph, 315kph max speed

Fundamental changes to the engine and transmission presents a different take on the 911. Best of the best?

By Chris Ng

There are two kinds of Porsche in this world, and I’m not talking about the haves and have-nots. In the first camp, you have the Carrera, Carrera S, 4S, Turbo, Turbo S and the like – cars that are great in their own right. Yet, it is the second camp that you want to find yourself in if you want the 911 in its purest form – the 911 GT3, a racing car that just so happen to be a road car.

Power comes from a 3.8-litre six-cylinder naturally-aspirated boxer that generates 475bhp – mated to a seven-speed PDK – that drives the rear, which is 44mm wider than the Carrera S’ rear end. And just so to cement that statement, the large rear wing looks imposing while adding plenty more aerodynamic capability.

But it is the PDK that’s even more eye-popping, the dual-clutch transmission has been tweaked especially for the GT3. It is now possible to jump from cog to cog in under 100 milliseconds; so lighting-quick shifts are possible. Also, the GT3’s PDK has a ‘paddle neutral’ function – users of manual gearboxes will know this as ‘freeing the gear’. It is important because this open the doors to plenty of controlled sideways tyre-smoking. Mechanically, the GT3’s PDK is two kilograms lighter and has shorter gear ratios, which means the GT3 will be unlike any 911 out there.

Entrance fee to get into the 911 GT3 camp starts from RM1,230,000. But if you need more numbers to convince you, here are some: the GT3 completes 0-100kph in 3.5 seconds; 200kph is reached under 12 seconds and hits top speed at 315kph – mind-blowing numbers that would worry any supercar.