An Athlete for the Road
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Porsche 911 GT3An Athlete for the Road The Porsche 911 GT3, which will also be available in an RS version as of autumn 2006, is the outstanding link between a road-going sports car and a race car for the track. Conceived, designed and built consistently for supreme driving dynamics, the drivetrain, suspension and aerodynamics of the car provide a unique synthesis of everyday driving qualities and thoroughbred racing technology.
New intake system with two resonance butterflies Over and above the high-speed engine concept, further optimised air flow into the six-cylinder power unit makes an important contribution to the car’s supreme output and performance. Enlarged in diameter from 76 to 82 millimetres (2.99 to 3.23"), the throttle butterfly reduces flow resistance and improves the charge cycle to an even higher standard than before. The new, variable intake manifold made of aluminium comes with two connection pipes featuring resonance butterflies between the air collectors on the two rows of cylinders. Carefully and precisely interacting with one another, these control flaps ensure both a “beefy” torque curve throughout a wide speed range as well as supreme maximum output. Smooth-flowing exhaust system with individual control flaps The exhaust system of the new 911 GT3 is also designed for optimum flow conditions with resistance reduced to a minimum. The system consists of fan-type manifolds, two individually controlled pre-silencers, and an extra large main silencer. The exhaust flaps open and close as a function of engine load and speed, opening up a by-pass around the pre-silencers when required in order to reduce exhaust gas counter-pressure to a minimum. Six-speed manual gearbox with extra-short gear increments
Featuring active suspension for the first time Equipped with PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management for a particularly sporting set-up, the new 911 GT3 comes for the first time with active suspension. The two damper programs at the driver’s disposal comprise the Standard mode corresponding in its features to the former passive suspension and the Sports mode reducing body movement to an absolute minimum for an even higher standard of dynamic performance particularly on tracks with a smooth surface. And for racing purposes the chassis and suspension of the GT3 can naturally be set up individually as required on each circuit. Extra-large wheels and brakes To convey the potentials of the engine and suspension to the road for full power, performance and traction at all times, the GT3 comes on specially developed 19-inch sports tyres. Brake disc diameter front and rear, in turn, is 350 millimetres or 13.78". At the front the discs run in six-piston, at the rear in four-piston callipers. Newly configured brake force distribution now conveys even more brake power to the rear axle right from the start when applying the brakes, thus reducing stopping distances even further. And as an option, the 911 GT3 is naturally available with PCCB Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes. More traction with limited-slip differential and Traction Control The new 911 GT3 comes with a comprehensive package of special features for superior traction at all times. The limited-slip differential, for example, offers asymmetric limited-slip action of 28 per cent under load and 40 per cent in overrun. The new, on-demand Traction Control carried over form the Carrera GT serves additionally to ensure safe traction particularly on wet surfaces. To provide such superiority, Traction Control combines three electronic control systems with one another: ABD Automatic Brake Differential, ASC Automatic Slip Control, and EDC Engine Drag Control. Air resistance reduced to a minimum The new GT3 also sets new, unprecedented standards when it comes to aerodynamics: Although the car develops superior downforce on both axles at all speeds, the sporting design and contours of the body ensure an outstanding drag coefficient of just 0.29. This superiority is made possible by a number of features optimised to an even higher standard than before, including the upper air discharge vent on the central radiator, the underfloor of the car covered by smooth panels for optimum air flow, and the newly designed rear wing. Superior equipment with sports options
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The heart of the new Porsche 911 GT3 is of course
the six-cylinder boxer engine now able to offer yet another superlative
achievement following further refinement for even more power and muscle:
Developing specific output of 84.7 kW or 115.3 bhp per litre, this supreme
power unit ranks right at the top of all normal-aspiration engines in cars
homologated for road use. This supreme performance is the result of a consistent,
far-reaching process of ongoing development seeking to increase engine output
without increasing the size of the engine itself: Displacing exactly 3.6
litres, the six-cylinder featured in the new 911 GT3 capitalises in full
on the displacement limit allowed in its category of motorsport, developing
305 kW (415 bhp) at 7600 rpm and reaching a maximum engine speed of 8400
revs. Again, this figures places the six-cylinder right at the top among
the ranks of production cars homologated for the road.
The six-speed gearbox featured as standard keeps
gearshift travel to a minimum and forms an ideal team with the fast-revving
power unit thanks to extra-short increments from second to sixth gear. Together
with the higher engine speed when shifting gears due to the enhanced high-speed
concept of the engine, the flow of power from one gear to another is even
better than before. A shift-up display lighting up in the rev counter shortly
before the engine reaches the gearshift points helps the driver find the
optimum transition from one gear to the next. Just how well the engine and
gearbox are matched to one another is borne out clearly by some straightforward
facts and figures: The GT3 accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and
reaches 160 km/h or 99 mph from a standstill in 8.7 seconds. Top speed, in
turn, is an impressive 310 km/h or 192 mph.
The interior of the new 911 GT3 is based on the
current 911 Carrera models, but features high-quality, sophisticated Alcantara
lining even in standard trim. As an option the sports seats fitted as standard
may be replaced straight from the factory by lightweight bucket seats made
of carbon-fibre, reducing the weight of the entire seat system to approximately
half the original figure. A wide range of further options then allows the
customer to personalise his car in virtually every respect, choosing features
extending all the way from leather upholstery to a Clubsport Package for
motorsport events.