Perfect aerodynamic balance
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911 GT3 / GT3 RSThe 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.
New intake system with two resonance butterflies Over and above the high-speed engine concept, further optimised air flow into the six-cy-lin-der 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. Despite this sophisticated, cutting-edge technology, the overall weight of the exhaust system versus the former model is down by approximately 10 kilos or 22 lb. The system consists of fantype manifolds, two individually controlled presilencers, and an extra large main silencer. The exhaust flaps open and close as a function of engine load and speed, opening up a bypass around the presilencers when required in order to reduce exhaust gas counter-pressure to a minimum. Six-speed manual gearbox with extra-short gear increments 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 when shifting 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 911 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. Featuring active suspension for the first time Equipped with PASM Porsche Active Suspension Management for a particularly sporting setup, 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 911 GT3 comes on specially developed 19-inch sports tyres running on 8.5 and, respectively, 12-inch-wide light-alloy rims. 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. Brake disc diameter on PCCB is 380 milli-metres or 14.96" at the front and 350 millimetres or 13.78" at the rear. 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 911 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 The interior of the new 911 GT3 is based on the current 911 Carrera models, but additionally 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 less than 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. 911 GT3 RS: Supreme performance for road and track
Inspired by motorsport Looking at the homologation rules for major Gran Tourismo championships as the car's major domain, we see that the 911 GT3 RS in road trim comes with technical solutions also to be found in future on the racing version. Apart from carbon-fibre components on the body-shell, these include the complete wheel support subframe as well as the split track control arms on the rear axle. The interior also reflects the car's sporting ambitions, two lightweight composite carbon-fibre bucket seats as well as the Clubsport package naturally coming as standard. The Clubsport package is made up of a bolted rollcage and a preliminary kit for fitting the main battery switch. Further features, finally, are a six-point seat belt for the driver as well as a fire extinguisher.
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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. 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 new 911 GT3 RS offers all the performance and
undiluted driving experience of a genuine racing car, but nevertheless fulfils
all requirements and standards for a sports car homologated for the road.
A particular highlight of the new RS compared with new 911 GT3 is extra body
width of 44 millimetres or 1.73" at the rear. Beneath this muscular rear
end lurks the car's even wider track not only improving roll stability, but
also enhancing the lateral acceleration of this thoroughbred two-seater
Coupé. And despite its unique body, the 911 GT3 RS is 20 kilos or
44 lb lighter than the 911 GT3, weighing only 1375 kg kilos or 3032 lb in
road trim with a full tank. This reduction in weight is achieved, inter alia,
by the use of an adjustable rear wing made of carbon, an extra-light plastic
rear window, and the use of lightweight bucket seats. The car's power-to-weight
ratio, as a result, is just 4.5 kg/kW. Like the 911 GT3, the 911GT3 RS is
powered by Porsche's very fast-revving 3.6-litre developing maximum output
of 305 kW (415 bhp) at 7600 rpm. Maximum engine speed is 8400 rpm. Benefiting
from its six-speed gearbox with a single-mass flywheel and close gear increments,
as well as a reduction in weight by another 20 kilos or 44 lb compared with
the GT3, the engine revs up even more spontaneously, with the 911 GT3 RS
accelerating to 100 km/h in a mere 4.2 seconds, one-tenth of a second faster
than the 911 GT3. This dynamic acceleration then continues in just 13.3 seconds
overall to 200 km/h or 124 mph. And top speed, finally, is 310 km/h or 192
mph.