The Porsche 911 (991) GT3 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and was one of the stars of the show. The GT3 line has always been the driver's Porsche and the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 looks to continue this. The performance of the 991 variant of the Porsche 911 GT3 looks like it should be quite a car.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a great track toy for those who can afford it. The car is pretty close to a race car for the street with its race inspired technology. The car is very quick, but still manages to be at home no matter where you drive it.
The exterior of the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will look very similar to the outgoing model to the uninformed. However, if you look at the 991 variant next to the 997 variant you'll notice that the 2014 Porsche 911 (991) GT3 is a bit lower and wider than the outgoing model. Beyond making the car wider the 2014 GT3 will also weight less than the outgoing model. All of these changes should help add up to better performance, but still retain the classic lines of the 911.
Perm. Total weight 3,792 lbs.
Luggage capacity Front 4.41 cubic ft.; Rear 9.2 cubic ft.
The interior of the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is much like the standard 991 variant of the Porsche 911 Carrera. Although with the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 one can get the optional Club Sport interior with some additional weight savings and a half roll cage. The Club Sport option is perfect for anybody wanting to track their GT3.
The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is powered by a 3.8 liter direct fuel injected flat six naturally aspirated engine. The engine is paired with a revised version of Porsche's PDK transmission. The transmission can be revved up to 9,000 RPMs to help get the full potential of the 475 horsepower engine.
Power unit Transmission: Engine and transmission bolted together to form one drive unit, seven-speed dual clutch transmission (PDK) with controlled rear axle differential lock and PTV Plus.
As you might expect the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will be offered with high performance ceramic brakes as well as 20 inch center locking wheels. However, the big thing for the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is the addition of rear wheel steering. The new system allows the rear wheels to turn in a corner allowing the car to take corners much faster than the outgoing model.
Front Suspension Front: strut suspension (McPherson type, Porsche optimized) with individually mounted on control arms, trailing arms and spring struts wheels, cylindrical coil springs with internal dampers, electromechanical power steering.
Rear Suspension Multi-arm axle with single wheels run on five arms; cylindrical coil springs with co-axial inner vibration, active rear. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with electronically controlled dampers and two manually selectable maps.
Brakes Dual circuit system with achsweiser division; Porsche Stability Management (PSM), vacuum brake booster; electrically operated duo-servo parking brake, auto-hold function.
Front: six-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers, perforated and internally ventilated brake discs with 380 mm diameter and 34 mm thickness.
Rear: four-piston aluminum monobloc brake calipers, perforated and internally ventilated brake discs with 380 mm diameter and 30 mm thickness.
What will all this track friendly fun cost you? The 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 will start at $130,000. While not a low cost it is a much better price than other cars with similar performance.
The 570 horsepower V8 of the Ferrari 458 Italia gives it a 0-60 MPH time of just 3.4 seconds. The Ferrari 458 Italia provides great power and handling to match, but at a premium.
The 2014 Audi R8 will be available with up to a 550 horsepower V10 engine that can get the R8 from 0-60 MPH in 3.5 seconds. Price of the 2014 V10 Audi R8 is not yet known but based on the previous model you are looking at the car costing very close to $200,000.
In spite of the fact that the 2014 Porsche 911 GT3 is not available with a traditional manual transmission it still promises to be a fun driver's car. For the price you can't beat the performance and it can keep up with cars that are much more expensive. I say if you can afford it buy one, but make sure to drive it on the track occasionally to see exactly what it can really do.