Image credits: © Porsche.
Press Release
The Sportiest 911 of Them All
The most sporting 911 with a naturally-aspirated power unit is all
set and ready to take up new challenges: Even more powerful, faster and
more dynamic than ever before, the new 911 GT3 is about to prove its
enhanced potential as of May 2009.
As usual, a wide range of know-how gained in motorsport has gone
directly into the development of this outstanding sports car, making the
new GT3 a supreme performer not only on the road, but also on the
track.
The Porsche 911 GT3 now reaches an even higher standard in its two
main qualities: power and driving dynamics. Maximum output of the
naturally-aspirated six-cylinder now increased in size to 3.8 litres is
435 bhp (320 kW), up 20 bhp over the previous model. In particular, the
flat-six power unit carefully upgraded for even more muscle and
performance offers a significant increase in torque at medium engine
speeds very noticeable above all in everyday use.
Road performance of the new GT3 has also been enhanced once again,
with the car accelerating to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and reaching 160
km/h in 8.2 seconds. Top speed is 312 km/h or 193 mph, and both fuel
consumption as well as exhaust emissions have been further reduced.
Striking, unique design with a new rear wing
In its unique and truly outstanding design, the new 911 GT3 stands
out from the start as a thoroughbred production sports car and a
production-based racing car all in one. Even at very first sight, the
new GT3 clearly shows its qualities to the connoisseur, the new cooling
air outlet bordering on the front apron and the front lid and positioned
between the bi-xenon headlights now featured for the first time as
standard offering optimised thermal balance. And as a special feature
the central outlet is covered by a grid on top, just like the three
large air intakes in the lower section of the front bumper previously
open to the outside without any kind of cover.
The rear end of the new GT3 stands out even more significantly both
from the previous model and from the production 911, with the newly
designed engine lid featuring modified, grid-clad air outlets stretching
from one side to the other between the LED rear light clusters.
The most characteristic feature of the 911 GT3 is the rear wing
fitted in position as a regular highlight on all GT3s over the years.
Completely re-designed, the wing now extends beyond the support bars in
the same look as on the racing versions of the GT3. The side ends of the
wing – the sideplates – are connected with the wing completely from
front to rear and proudly bear the designation "3.8" as reference to the
new power unit – and as a reminiscence to the legendary 911 RS 3.8 back
in 1993.
Beneath the wing two spade-like scoops serve as air intakes,
supplying the engine with a forced air flow according to the ram air
principle, thus improving both the intake of combustion air and the
engine cooling effect.
Ground effect: downforce more than doubled
This upgrade of the GT3 in its design and contours serves above all
to optimise the car’s aerodynamics: The modifications increase downforce
both on the front and rear axle, ensuring more than twice as much
downforce overall as on the former GT3. As a result, the new GT3 now
offers even better grip and stability at high speeds.
The aerodynamic qualities of the new 911 GT3 are also enhanced
significantly with body height lowered by approximately 30 millimetres
or almost 1.2" versus the current 911 Carrera. First, this reduces the
frontal area of the car and minimises air resistance accordingly.
Second, the lower body reduces the flow of air beneath the car, once
again increasing downforce accordingly.
Like the current 911 Carrera, the 911 GT3 comes with an extra-large
underfloor cover for superior aerodynamics. Appropriate air ducts in the
rear of the underfloor cover serve at the same time to cool the rear
brakes.
High-performance power unit with upgraded VarioCam
Once again, the power unit of the new 911 GT3 proves the great
potential the six-cylinder boxer still has to offer: With maximum engine
speed increased from 8,400 to 8,500 rpm the new 911 GT3 is again one of
the top performers in terms of speed and dynamic engine qualities.
Specific output of 114.6 bhp (84.3 kW) per litre exceeds that of most
competitors, in some cases by far.
To provide qualities of this calibre, the engine must not only be
able to run at very high speeds, but must also have a very good and
efficient charge cycle. Precisely this is why VarioCam on the new 911
GT3 features infinite adjustment not only of the intake, but also of the
outlet camshafts.
Apart from increasing both engine power and torque, this also ensures
cleaner emissions outperforming the EU5 standard and thus qualifying
the GT3 for full, unrestricted homologation.
In its basic configuration the six-cylinder power unit of the new GT3
is a further development of the engine originally conceived for the 911
GT1. Its characteristic features are classic dry sump lubrication with
an external oil tank, titanium connecting rods, forged pistons, cup
tappets fully suited for very high engine speeds, and a variable intake
system with two resonance flaps.
An appropriately designed exhaust system likewise serves to minimise
resistance in the charge cycle process. The gas mixture leaving the
engine first flows through two fan-type manifolds reducing flow
resistance and ensuring a better mixing process than standard manifolds.
This allows more effective pre-treatment of the raw emissions before
they are converted further downstream in the catalyst.
Behind the two catalysts the exhaust gas flows on into two
pre-silencers activated by map-controlled flaps. Still closed when the
engine is started, the flaps open up under increasing power and the
exhaust gas then flows directly into the main silencer. Naturally, the
new 911 GT3 fulfils the noise limits prescribed by law in both cases –
and at the same time this special configuration gives the engine its
very characteristic six-cylinder rumble.
Six-speed gearbox with upshift signal
As before, power is transmitted on the 911 GT3 exclusively by a
manual six-speed gearbox. An upshift display flashing on in the rev
counter shortly before the engine reaches the appropriate speed helps
the driver shift gears at exactly the right points. And taking the
driver’s reaction time into account, the display comes on earlier in the
lower gears and later in the upper gears.
The very sporting gearshift transmission on the current generation of
the 911 Carrera guarantees an extremely dynamic shift process with
short gear lever travel, particularly because in this case it is
combined with a short lever ratio at the transmission entry point
specific to the GT3. This makes the overall transmission ratio in the
new 911 GT3 22 per cent shorter than in the "regular" Carrera models.
Since the 911 GT3 was also developed specifically for track racing,
the transmission ratios may be varied individually as required by means
of exchangeable gears and gear sets. This option is however intended
only for use of the car on race tracks reserved exclusively for this
purpose.
New: PSM with motorsport set-up
A significant highlight in developing the 911 GT3 to an even higher
standard was to increase driving dynamics while keeping the weight of
the car unchanged: Despite its technical features and qualities enhanced
to an even higher standard, the GT3 therefore retains its former weight
of just 1,395 kg or 3,076 lb.
For the first time the 911 GT3 now comes with a particularly sporting
and dynamic version of PSM Porsche Stability Management supporting the
driver in his reactions and thus allowing even the professional
motorsport enthusiast to achieve faster lap times with PSM than without.
To make this possible, the driver is able to deactivate SC Stability
Control and TC Traction Control separately from one another in
individual steps. And to give the driver unrestricted, individual
control of driving dynamics in the GT3, these functions are not
automatically reactivated even under extreme driving conditions, but
rather only come back on at the touch of a button.
The driver of the GT3 is able to pre-select PSM control in three stages:
- In the basic mode all PSM functions including the enhanced braking function are fully active: SC Stability Control function serving to control driving dynamics with specific intervention in the brakes stabilising the car around its vertical axis, TC Traction Control varying drive power, as well as ABS for optimum brake performance and full stability of the car upon application of the brakes.
- SC Stability Control serving to mastermind the car’s lateral dynamics is deactivated in the second stage ("SC OFF"), while TC Traction Control masterminding the car’s drive power remains active.
- In the third stage ("SC+TC OFF") the TC Traction Control function is also deactivated.
The "SC OFF" and "SC+TC OFF" buttons are both positioned at the front end of the centre console.
When the driver switches off the engine and then starts again, the
system automatically comes back in the normal mode with the SC, TC and
ABS functions fully active.
The 911 GT3 comes as standard with an asymmetric limited-slip
differential. Since the Porsche 911 with its engine mounted at the rear
and appropriate weight distribution offers very good qualities for the
use of engine power even on bad roads and surfaces with low grip, a
locking factor of 28 per cent is sufficient under load, while the
locking factor in overrun is 40 per cent.
This higher factor under overrun was chosen, first, because the
engine’s drag force is lower than its maximum torque and, second,
because this configuration serves to stabilise the car, preventing it
from swerving or turning under load change in bends, as now brake force
is applied more evenly on both wheels when the driver suddenly takes
back the gas pedal.
PASM suspension with race track option
Benefiting from active PASM suspension on the 911 GT3, Porsche’s
engineers are able to make the springs and anti-roll bars a bit stiffer
once again, thus offering even more precise and dynamic handling in the
PASM sports mode. And at the same time the normal PASM mode still
provides appropriate roll comfort for everyday use.
Like on the other models, PASM combines two suspension set-ups in
one. The difference is that in the basic set-up the system is not used
to provide greater comfort as on the "regular" 911 Carrera models, but
rather from the start combines particular sportiness and agility with a
good standard of everyday comfort. Right from the beginning, therefore,
the 911 GT3 offers a high standard of driving dynamics on public roads
and race tracks with varying surface conditions such as the Nordschleife
of Nürburgring. To further enhance driving safety at high speeds, the
dampers automatically switch over to a firmer setting as the car picks
up velocity and momentum.
The dynamic driving qualities of the 911 GT3 may be enhanced to an
even higher level on flat and smooth race tracks. In this case PASM
operating in the Sports Mode ensures particularly precise and direct
driving behaviour by reducing body movement to a minimum.
As soon as the driver activates the Sports Mode, the dampers first
switch over to a sporting and hard control map for outstanding agility
on flat surfaces combined with a further increase in steering precision.
And should the system in this mode recognise even a slight bump on the
road, it will switch over within milliseconds to a less hard control
curve within the sports control map in order to give the wheels even
better grip.
A further feature is that the anti-roll bars, camber and wheel track
may be adjusted individually on the new 911 GT3 for circuit racing.
Understandably, these modifications are allowed only on the race track,
and not in public traffic.
Featured as standard: extra-light wheels with innovative central bolt locking
A fundamental requirement in optimising the suspension was to further
reduce the car’s unsprung masses. Precisely this is why extra-light cup
springs replace the former spiral springs on the rear axle.
The most spectacular modification is however the new family of wheels
on the 911 GT3 weighing approximately 3 kg or 6.6 lb less overall than
the former light-alloy wheels. This reduction of weight is made possible
by the enhanced design of the wheels with their newly styled and
sharply contoured spokes extending far to the outside and for the first
time featuring central locking as standard.
This technology originating from motorsport has so far been used only
on a handful of exclusive special models and on super sports cars such
as the Porsche Carrera GT. The big advantage of such central locking
bolts in motorsport is the option to change wheels very quickly and
efficiently, with only one bolt having to be fastened or unfastened on
each wheel as opposed to conventional wheels usually held in position by
five bolts. A further advantage of central locking is the reduction of
rotating masses, enhancing the car’s steering and turning response in
the interest of even greater agility.
This innovative system is made up of a multi-tooth central bolt and a
special wheel nut with a lock ratchet preventing the wheel from
breaking loose on the hub, not even in an extreme case when the central
hub has not been properly tightened.
To fit and remove the wheels, each GT3 comes with a special bolt wrench in the car’s on-board toolkit.
Ultra-high performance tyres with air pressure control
The objective in developing the 911 GT3 to combine minimum weight
with maximum performance also applies to the car’s tyres. Like its
predecessor, the new model comes on specially developed UHP
(ultra-high-performance) tyres featuring a special rubber compound on a
likewise special tyre body.
This special type of tyre developed specifically for Porsche’s new
high-performance sports car offers substantial lateral dynamic reserves.
Clearly, this ensures a decisive advantage on the track.
The outstanding qualities of the GT3’s tyres are borne out
particularly by the fact that the tyres offer significant grip also on
wet surfaces and less wear than conventional tyres.
Both tyre pressure as well as safety and performance are permanently
monitored on the GT3 by Tyre Pressure Control (TPC) featured as
standard. Activated immediately when the driver opens his door, TPC
starts to check tyre pressure as soon as the driver turns the key in the
ignition, presenting the pressure readings in the instrument cluster
within a matter of seconds. Even after a wheel change with the system
being required to register and "learn" the new electronic data within
the tyre, no more than three minutes will elapse until the driver is
informed of the new readings.
Brake system with composite discs and optional PCCB
Enhanced performance and driving dynamics naturally also mean
enhanced brakes on the 911 GT3, following Porsche’s usual standard.
Hence, brake disc diameter on the front wheels has been increased from
350 to 380 mm (13.8 to 15.0").
All four brake discs come for the first time as a composite structure
with the friction discs made of grey-cast iron, the brake covers of
light aluminium. These two components are firmly connected to one
another by radially arranged steel pins.
Such use of light alloy helps to reduce the weight of unsprung masses
despite the larger discs on the front wheels by approximately 2.4 kg or
almost 5.3 lb, the further improvement of brake ventilation helping
additionally to minimise fading for lasting brake performance at all
times.
As an option the GT3 is available as before with a special version of
PCCB ceramic brakes offering a number of advantages compared with
grey-cast-iron brake discs. These include even faster response, very
significant resistance to fading thanks to a consistent frictional
coefficient, and high safety reserves under heavy loads.
The PCCB brake discs now also come with a lighter aluminium cover on
all four wheels, again saving more than 2 kilos overall. Compared with
the grey-cast-iron brakes featured as standard, the PCCB brakes reduce
weight overall by some 20 kg or 44 lb.
Exclusive and sophisticated interior
The interior of the new 911 GT3 comes in the exclusive style typical
of Porsche and with new, unprecedented components. The most significant
highlights are the new three-spoke steering wheel, the even wider range
of leather upholstery with additional alcantara inserts, and an
additional range of audio features as with the current generation of the
911.
The new 911 GT3 is fitted as standard with sports seats including
thorax airbags. Sports bucket seats with a folding backrest are
available as an option, reducing weight in all by some 24 kg or 53 lb.
And last but not least, the optional lightweight bucket seats with their
visible carbon-fibre structure are again some 10 kg or 22 lb lighter,
at the same time offering very good side support and superior comfort
also on long distances.
The new 911 GT3 comes as standard with Porsche’s CDR-30 audio system
featuring a monochromatic five-inch screen and an MP3-compatible CD
player. The latest generation of PCM Porsche Communication Management
including Porsche’s Sound Package Plus and a navigation module is
available as an option.
Depending on the audio system chosen, the customer may also opt for
an integrated CD/DVD player. Other new features are the optional,
universal audio interface and, in conjunction with PCM, voice control as
well as a telephone module complete with a Bluetooth interface and a
cordless handset available on request.
Clubsport Package at no extra cost
Like its predecessor, the new 911 GT3 is also available with a
Clubsport Package at no extra cost comprising the following items:
- A rollcage bolted-on at the rear
- Pre-fitting of the main battery switch
- A six-point seat belt in red on the driver’s side (placed in the car but not yet fitted)
- A fire extinguisher complete with an appropriate support (also placed in the car but not yet fitted)
The Clubsport Package in the new 911 GT3 comes in conjunction with
the optional lightweight bucket seats. In this combination the seats are
finished not in leather, but rather in fire-resistant fabric.
For motorsport events under the FIA-GT regulations both the main
battery switch and special extended rollbars for the roof and A-pillars
are available as motorsport components from Porsche’s Racing Division.
Coming in autumn: dynamic engine mounts and front axle lift as further options
Starting in autumn, the new 911 GT3 will be available with a further
option improving the car’s racing and competition qualities to an even
higher standard: PADM Porsche Active Drivetrain Mounts incorporating
truly innovative technology and an all-new concept.
Recognising the driver’s style of motoring with the help of the
sensors already incorporated in the 911 GT3, PADM modifies the engine
mounts normally elastic in their response to an even dynamic setting.
This function is provided by a fluid in the mounts with magnetic
particles changed in their viscosity by an electric field. This keeps
the GT3 a comfortable car to drive in everyday traffic, while on the
track the usual movement of mass forces caused by the engine in fast
bends is avoided completely. A further advantage is enhanced traction
when accelerating from a standstill.
The second new feature is the optional lift system for the front axle
raising ground clearance when driving on bumpy roads or steep garage
driveways at the touch of a button by 30 millimetres or almost 1.2".
This special system incorporates an additional air chamber in the two
front dampers pressurised in order to raise the entire body of the car.
To avoid damage to the body or ground contact, the system changes the
car’s ride height only when the driver presses the button. The only
exception is that when the GT3 exceeds a speed of 50 km/h with front
axle lift still activated, the car is automatically lowered again to its
regular position.
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