What's all this about?

The venerable Porsche 911's current generation, the 992, is going through its facelift right now, which means all the pre-facelift models have to now be referred to as '992.1' by law, while all the newer models will henceforth be known as 992.2. And as many of the mainstream variants, like the Carrera, have already had their updates, now eyes turn to the top-end models. So here come the updated GT3 and its Touring relation.

So what are the headlines?

Well, they're arriving together. Normally you have to wait for the Touring derivative to come along after the regular GT3, but they're going to launch together as the 992.2s. Don't fret, they've not become hybrids in this round of updates, as the utterly majestic 4.0-litre flat-six petrol engine has been retained, meaning 510hp and 450Nm is on tap for the lucky, lucky owners.

Therefore, let's look at what has changed. Starting with the bewinged GT3 itself, for the first time ever the track-focused Weissach Package is available. You might be thinking it was always an option, but it was actually reserved for the even-more-hardcore 911 GT3 RS (for which a 992.2 version must surely be on the way). Anyway, that massive rear spoiler has new angled sideplates, while an even more focused package of lightweighting - aluminium wheels which are more than 1.5kg lighter than the old car's rims, plus a 40Ah lithium-ion battery saving another 4kg - brings the GT3 in at just 1,420kg at the kerb. Porsche has also fitted an eight per cent shorter final drive ratio to both the seven-speed PDK auto and the six-speed GT manual transmissions, while the engine has revised camshafts and cylinder heads. That means the new 911 GT3 will do 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and 193mph flat out as a PDK, or 3.9 seconds and 194mph for the manual.

And that's not all, as there's an optional lightweight sports bucket seat with a folding backrest and a shall made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, with such attention to detail that some of the headrest padding can be removed to accommodate the car's driver wearing a helmet when out on track. Also, unlike the 992.2 Carreras and the like, you don't start the GT3 on a button but by turning the old rotary ignition switch. Classy.

OK, and how about the Touring?

Well, before we get onto its specifics, we should say both GT3s have fresh looks, incorporating a reshaped front splitter, a refined shape of the spoiler lip and modified fins on the underbody, all of which increase the overall downforce and make the rapid 911 even more aerodynamic. There are also new Matrix LED headlights, plus a revised shape of diffuser and air inlets at the back of the car. Porsche's engineers have also tweaked the advanced suspension set-up on the GT3 twins to make them less prone to dive when braking.

So the Touring's touches include optional rear seats for the first time, which is why the backrest on the seats can now fold, although you can just option up Adaptive Sports Seats Plus with 18 ways of electrical adjustment if you prefer even more luxury in your NA screamer. As before, the Touring has no fixed wing on the back of it and a clear '911 GT3 Touring' badge on its rump, and its aerodynamics have also been tweaked to suit the new underfloor arrangement. A high-quality leather interior is the final touch of the luxe-oriented take on the GT3.

Is there anything else to talk about?

Well, the Weissach Package brings in carbon-fibre components for all of the rear anti-roll bar, coupling rods and shear panel on the winged GT3, and the roof, sideplates of the rear wing, the door mirror caps and mounting triangles, and the front airblades are also made of carbon. The option also swaddles the dashtop in anti-glare Race-Tex microfibre. You can go even further with this Weissach selection by adding a carbon-fibre rollcage and magnesium forged alloys, which trim another 9kg off the 911's mass.

If you opt for the Touring, though, there's still a bundle for you called the Leichtbau Package. Its roof, still finished in body colour, is - like the same rear-axle components as on the regular GT3 - made of carbon fibre, while those magnesium alloys and some lightweight door panels are also thrown in. If you go for the six-speed manual, you get the shortened gearlever from the 911 S/T, in front of which is a plaque which reads simply 'Leichtbau'.

If you don't fancy going full Weissach on the normal GT3, there's the Clubsport Package available for no extra charge. This has a steel rollcage bolted into the rear, a six-point harness on the driver's seat and a hand-held fire extinguisher added to the equipment list, but the optional-extra lightweight sports bucket seats are a prerequisite of the Clubsport kit.

Anything else to add?

Both the 911 GT3 and the 911 GT3 Touring will be available to order from the end of the year for £157,300 apiece. If you want the full Weissach Package, that'll be another £19,530, although you can have it without the rollcage for £15,597. On the GT3 Touring, the Leichtbau Package is a chunky £29,225, because it includes the magnesium wheels which are a £13,760 option on their own for the winged GT3. Yikes!

Last word to Andreas Preuninger, head of the GT department at Porsche, who said: "The new 911 GT3 has become even more exhilarating and individual. We dug into a wealth of details and gave it many features that our customers wanted. This allows the GT3 to be adapted even more specifically to the purpose or preferences of the driver."

Matt Robinson - 18 Oct 2024