Geneva Motor Show LIVE: Porsche 911 GT3

The sportiest 911, the GT3, has its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show.

In the 50th anniversary year of the 911, Porsche launches a new race track performance sports car, the fifth generation of the 911 GT3. A complete new car, the GT3 has a new boxer engine and transmission, with its body and chassis also completely new. The 911 GT3′s performance is staggering: it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 315 km/h. It can also lap the Nurburgring Nordschleife in under 7:30 minutes, thanks in part to the power to weight ratio of 3.0 kg/hp.

The six-cylinder 3.8-liter boxer engine produces 475 hp at 8.250 rpm and is mated to a Porsche dual-clutch transmission (PDK) and high-traction rear-wheel drive. As a technical highlight, it features the first active rear wheel steering in a production Porsche.

The engine is based on the same unit as the 911 Carrera S, although they share only few common parts. All other components, particularly the crankshaft and valve gear, were specially adapted or designed for the GT3. The PDK transmission was also specially developed; the characteristics are directly based on a sequential gearbox from motor racing.

In order to achieve even higher precision and lateral dynamics, Porsche is using active rear wheel steering, which steers the rear wheels in the same or opposite direction of the front wheels. There’s also an electronically controlled, fully variable rear differential lock, and dynamic engine mounts.

The 911 GT3 is 44 millimetres wider than a 911 Carrera S in the area of the rear axle, with another clear recognition feature being the large, fixed rear wing. The new Porsche 911 GT3 will be launched on the market from August 2013 on, and will cost in Germany 137,303 Euro including VAT and national specifications.